Scripted series dead on cable?

[zeebre12]

Original scripted series were once a mainstay of basic cable channels like USA Network, TNT, TBS, Syfy and FX. They were producing hit scripted series up to a few years ago. But now media companies like Universal and WarnerMedia are shifting scripted series to their streaming services. I had a look at USA's and TNT's wiki pages and there seems to be no real scripted planned for either (and nothing new for TNT for the new season, only 1 new scripted series for USA which is shared with Syfy). Any FX series announced seems to be for FX on Hulu and not the cable channel. Where does this leave these channels? You'd wonder why they don't air series simultaneously on their cable channels and their streaming services?

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

Original scripted series were once a mainstay of basic cable channels like USA Network, TNT, TBS, Syfy and FX. They were producing hit scripted series up to a few years ago. But now media companies like Universal and WarnerMedia are shifting scripted series to their streaming services. I had a look at USA's and TNT's wiki pages and there seems to be no real scripted planned for either (and nothing new for TNT for the new season, only 1 new scripted series for USA which is shared with Syfy). Any FX series announced seems to be for FX on Hulu and not the cable channel. Where does this leave these channels? You'd wonder why they don't air series simultaneously on their cable channels and their streaming services?

This has to be a median demo issue where younger audiences prefer TV apps over cable. If original series is being brought up for USA and Syfy most likely the show in question is for Peacock the NBC owned TV app.

Or if TNT and TBS is going to air a show then resources are most likely heading to HBO Max.

FX most likely Hulu or Disney+ depending on the show in question.

It's all about median demos where this is going.

 

[TheBigA]

Original scripted series were once a mainstay of basic cable channels like USA Network, TNT, TBS, Syfy and FX.

Those shows got too expensive to produce, so you'll find them behind a paywall. HBO Max, NetFlix, Apple, Amazon Prime, and those kinds of things. I remember when AT&T bought Warner, the first thing the new boss asked was why they spent so much money on shows for TBS. That was the end of that. But they're still being done, and apparently they win all the Emmies.

 

[zeebre12]

But why don't they air then simultaneously on their cable channel as well as their streaming service?

 

[PTBoardOp94]

The cable revenue is baked in, although the number of subscribers is slowly declining.

Every subscriber they get to their streaming service is new money. Companies like sources of new money.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

But why don't they air then simultaneously on their cable channel as well as their streaming service?

Some of the viewers are going to OTA subchannels in some cases.