summer dumping grounds good for older viewers

[skippercollector]

In the past decade, I have watched more television during the summer than any other season of the year. Why? Because the so-called "dumping grounds" are shows that we older viewers like to watch.
As I have mentioned before, I am a 52-year-old white female. In other words, in the TV demographics world, I don't exist. I have watched more TV on the over-the-air and basic cable stations in the past six weeks than I had in the months between September 2012 and April 2013 combined. This is my regular viewing schedule currently:
Sunday, 9 p.m., Lifetime, Drop Dead Diva
Monday, 10 p.m., NBC, Under the Dome
Wednesday, 9 p.m., Up, Heartland
Wednesday, 10 p.m., TV Land, Hot in Cleveland
Thursday, 10 p.m., USA, Graceland
Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC, Zero Hour
There are also made-for-TV movies, such as the American Girl movie that aired on NBC last night.
These low-rated or under-the-radar programs are traditional dramas and comedies, or made-for-TV movies, staples of television up through 1999. I completely ignore procedural series, reality programs, and with a few exceptions, the "conspiracy theory within conspiracy theory" convoluted dramas that keep popping up.
Also in syndicated reruns: PBS: Anne of Green Gables, the Animated Series and As Time Goes By; MeTV: I Dream of Jeannie and Rhoda; Up: Heartland reruns; The Hub, Family Ties. The last three just started in the past six weeks.
So my questions are: Do you think a lot of middle-aged and older viewers have abandoned traditional television, not because of "time-shifting" but because the programming is not to their interest? Has anyone done any demographic studies regarding age and sex as to who is still watching programming on Fridays and Saturdays or during the summer?
Actually, I understand the reasoning behind the 18-49 age group and why TV shows and their air times are oriented toward them. But what bothers me even more than just being ignored is this: Why the contempt by younger viewers toward older viewers' television watching habits? That arrogance bothers me.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

"Under the Dome" appears on CBS.

So my questions are: Do you think a lot of middle-aged and older viewers have abandoned traditional television, not because of "time-shifting" but because the programming is not to their interest? Has anyone done any demographic studies regarding age and sex as to who is still watching programming on Fridays and Saturdays or during the summer?

During the regular TV season (September to May), persons 55+ are watching more TV than ever and indeed more TV than any other demographic: http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/newswire/uploads/2012/04/prime-time-device.jpg

I don't know whether older people watch more TV in the summer, but Nielsen its subscribers do.

But what bothers me even more than just being ignored is this: Why the contempt by younger viewers toward older viewers' television watching habits?

What do you mean?

 

[retrothoughts]

"Under the Dome" appears on CBS.

So my questions are: Do you think a lot of middle-aged and older viewers have abandoned traditional television, not because of "time-shifting" but because the programming is not to their interest? Has anyone done any demographic studies regarding age and sex as to who is still watching programming on Fridays and Saturdays or during the summer?

During the regular TV season (September to May), persons 55+ are watching more TV than ever and indeed more TV than any other demographic: http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/newswire/uploads/2012/04/prime-time-device.jpg

I don't know whether older people watch more TV in the summer, but Nielsen its subscribers do.

But what bothers me even more than just being ignored is this: Why the contempt by younger viewers toward older viewers' television watching habits?

What do you mean?

I think it's based supposedly on some ongoing perception advertisers have that persons over 50 are more likely to keep buying the products and services they already like, no matter what's advertised. Never mind that some studies show persons over 50 still have enough disposable income to decide what to buy.

 

[Morgan Wick]

During the regular TV season (September to May), persons 55+ are watching more TV than ever and indeed more TV than any other demographic: http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/newswire/uploads/2012/04/prime-time-device.jpg

Which, from what I have read, is precisely why advertisers don't care about them these days. You can advertise prostate medication or Viagra just about anywhere; younger viewers are rarer and thus more valuable.

 

[skippercollector]

a follow-up

I guess the women I know are unusual. My mother, my sisters, my female friends and my female boss and I all watch far less TV now than we did in the past. My mother often complains that "there's not much on." The lack of series on the original networks and basic cable are one of the reasons I upped my cable package a year ago, and it was the best thing I did in years. The worst months, for me, are January through April.
As for my comment about contempt:
Have you ever read comments about women and/or older adults at the following?
http://www.city-data.com/
http://www.imdb.com/
Or even the comments on the entertainment pages of local and national news websites
All these websites started out with honorable intentions, but have degraded so much in their forums that not only did I quit participating in them, I actually un-registered with them. And don't even get me started about http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/

 

[dave73]

"Under the Dome" appears on CBS.

So my questions are: Do you think a lot of middle-aged and older viewers have abandoned traditional television, not because of "time-shifting" but because the programming is not to their interest? Has anyone done any demographic studies regarding age and sex as to who is still watching programming on Fridays and Saturdays or during the summer?

During the regular TV season (September to May), persons 55+ are watching more TV than ever and indeed more TV than any other demographic: http://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/corporate/us/en/newswire/uploads/2012/04/prime-time-device.jpg

I don't know whether older people watch more TV in the summer, but Nielsen its subscribers do.

But what bothers me even more than just being ignored is this: Why the contempt by younger viewers toward older viewers' television watching habits?

What do you mean?

I think it's based supposedly on some ongoing perception advertisers have that persons over 50 are more likely to keep buying the products and services they already like, no matter what's advertised. Never mind that some studies show persons over 50 still have enough disposable income to decide what to buy.

Baby Boomers started this whole trend of getting away from the 50+ demographics to focus more on the 18 - 49 year olds. Now that most of them are in their 50's & 60's, now they feel discriminated in programming, despite being the largest demographic. Some advertisers are even avoiding Generation X, because they're the smallest demographics, & instead want to go after Generation Y. Generation Y has more options than any other generation for getting their programming, & advertisers are making every effort to advertise to them. I forgot where I read it at, but it was at least 2 different stories about the automobile industry might have a difficult time advertising to Generation Y. Other than an economy in the tank, but even after the economy ever goes back to producing jobs (they will never be like the mid - late 1990's), but the automobile industry may have a difficult time getting more Generation Y's to buy cars & trucks. Many in that generation group (according to the 2 stories I read) are wanting to get away from relying on the car to get around, & want more public transit available. If that ever comes true, then the automobile industry will either have to make more buses, or risk going under.

 

[landtuna]

I am an older viewer and watch almost no TV programming during the summer once the Stanley Cup playoffs end. Of the shows listed by the OP I watch none. It's not that I haven't tried, they are just too idiotic or poorly acted. There are a few shows I download and watch such as The Newsroom on HBO.

 

[Morgan Wick]

Re: a follow-up

As for my comment about contempt:
Have you ever read comments about women and/or older adults at the following?
http://www.city-data.com/
http://www.imdb.com/
Or even the comments on the entertainment pages of local and national news websites
All these websites started out with honorable intentions, but have degraded so much in their forums that not only did I quit participating in them, I actually un-registered with them. And don't even get me started about http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/

The comment section of any website tends to devolve into the worst elements of humanity when left unchecked. I wouldn't read too much into it.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

As for my comment about contempt:
Have you ever read comments about women and/or older adults at the following?
http://www.city-data.com/
http://www.imdb.com/
Or even the comments on the entertainment pages of local and national news websites

I have not. For the most part, I get my TV info and opinions from this site, which is pretty closely moderated.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I'm a 52-year-old white male and I welcome this time of year because I need the time to catch up on newspapers. If I would just get off the computer I wouldn't have the problem.