I'm new to this board, so forgive me if this question has been asked before. But I'm wondering why classic TV from the '50s & '60s still programs on TV today (sometimes on local stations), but Top 40 music from the '50s & early '60s (Oldies) has disappeared from radio in most markets around the country. Or to put it another way, why can TV sell advertising to a 55+ audience yet radio tells us that it can't?
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Why TV but not radio?
- Thread starter TheFonz
- Start date
TV Land has been changing with the demographics, too. Very few really old shows, and they're creeping to shows as late as from the 90s, I believe. They don't want to get old and die with their original viewers, either.
You might still find really old shows on LPTV's, or third tier independents.<P ID="signature">______________
Greetings from Ohio-where the governor wants everyone to know he's sorry.</P>
You might still find really old shows on LPTV's, or third tier independents.<P ID="signature">______________
Greetings from Ohio-where the governor wants everyone to know he's sorry.</P>
> [You might still find really old shows on LPTV's, or third
> tier independents.]
That's my point. I'm not sure what LPTV is. But I think that just about every major RADIO market in the country has at least one station that could be considered a "third tier independent". So if TV can program "oldies", why can't radio?
> tier independents.]
That's my point. I'm not sure what LPTV is. But I think that just about every major RADIO market in the country has at least one station that could be considered a "third tier independent". So if TV can program "oldies", why can't radio?
So if TV can program "oldies", why can't
> radio?
>
Simple - more older people watch TV than listen to radio, except in the mornings perhaps for news. They're less likely to go out, less likely to be in the car listening. They rent movies rather than go see them.
In addition, there are an almost unlimited number of cable channels thanks to digital, and they need programming. Older shows are cheap. Radio has a limited number (except for satellite radio, which is mostly marketed to younger people) and a station can make more money with more recent music because it appeals to a younger audience, which is what advertisers prefer.
> radio?
>
Simple - more older people watch TV than listen to radio, except in the mornings perhaps for news. They're less likely to go out, less likely to be in the car listening. They rent movies rather than go see them.
In addition, there are an almost unlimited number of cable channels thanks to digital, and they need programming. Older shows are cheap. Radio has a limited number (except for satellite radio, which is mostly marketed to younger people) and a station can make more money with more recent music because it appeals to a younger audience, which is what advertisers prefer.
T
toby
Guest
> In addition, there are an almost unlimited number of cable
> channels thanks to digital, and they need programming. Older
> shows are cheap.
However there seems to be all these channels very cheaply produced and horrible quality shows - think HGTV, TLC, etc. - while quality classic TV doesn't get on them. When was the last time you saw Hawaii Five-O, Emergency!, Dragnet, or Make Room for Daddy on cable?<P ID="signature">______________
WCBS = We're Crazy Buffoons and Schmucks
<a href=http://chuck.spotteddogs.org/tv/>Spotted Dog TV Talk - for all your non-news TV Talk</a></P>
> channels thanks to digital, and they need programming. Older
> shows are cheap.
However there seems to be all these channels very cheaply produced and horrible quality shows - think HGTV, TLC, etc. - while quality classic TV doesn't get on them. When was the last time you saw Hawaii Five-O, Emergency!, Dragnet, or Make Room for Daddy on cable?<P ID="signature">______________
WCBS = We're Crazy Buffoons and Schmucks
<a href=http://chuck.spotteddogs.org/tv/>Spotted Dog TV Talk - for all your non-news TV Talk</a></P>
T
Tom_Desmond
Guest
> You might still find really old shows on LPTV's, or third
> tier independents.
Don't forget the big exception to that rule: "Andy Griffith" and "I Love Lucy" continues to run on some fairly strong stations in many markets. Also getting on some fairly decent stations are "Perry Mason" and "Little House on the Prairie". "The Brady Bunch", "Bewitched" and "Hogan's Heroes" also run on a couple of decent stations.
But I think that while these particular shows probably do tend to skew somewhat old, they still manage to appeal to a broader demographic than does fifties/early sixties music.
> tier independents.
Don't forget the big exception to that rule: "Andy Griffith" and "I Love Lucy" continues to run on some fairly strong stations in many markets. Also getting on some fairly decent stations are "Perry Mason" and "Little House on the Prairie". "The Brady Bunch", "Bewitched" and "Hogan's Heroes" also run on a couple of decent stations.
But I think that while these particular shows probably do tend to skew somewhat old, they still manage to appeal to a broader demographic than does fifties/early sixties music.
Part of the reason this exists it the newish concept of Six Sigma. In other words max your profit for the least investment.
In other words making a profit isn't acceptable anymore. You must make the MAXIMUM profit. A decade ago or so it you made a profit that was cool, NOW if you make $100 profit when you COULD'VE made $101 profit you are considered a failure, 'cause you didn't MAXIMIZE it.
Also with DVDs it is more profitable to sell these shows to people so they can watch them.
Also in some markets certain shows don't do well. For instance in Chicago The Golden Girls was never a big syndicated show. But it did excellent in other markets.
Like with popular music today. Part of the reason it is less profitable is that new artists are STILL competing with old artists who are putting out new material and young people discovering old Beatles and Eagles albums.
Again profit is relative. While Michael Jackson made millions form his CDs it also COST millions to make. Other artists can sell less and make more PROFIT as their costs are a lot lower
Finally there is less leverage today for independents. Now with conglomerates owning so much they force and issue. For instance Disney will say to get your local ABC affiliate you must ALSO take ABC Family Channel, The Disney Channel, various ESPN AND give them good channel placement. EVEN if no one in that cable market wants the additional Disney owned cable channels to get ABC-TV network they must take it.
(Note all the networks do this ABC is only an example)
So with less and less independent stations, more programming is done on a national level, even with TV.<P ID="signature">______________
Once I figured out the meaning of life....Then I forgot to write it down.</P>
In other words making a profit isn't acceptable anymore. You must make the MAXIMUM profit. A decade ago or so it you made a profit that was cool, NOW if you make $100 profit when you COULD'VE made $101 profit you are considered a failure, 'cause you didn't MAXIMIZE it.
Also with DVDs it is more profitable to sell these shows to people so they can watch them.
Also in some markets certain shows don't do well. For instance in Chicago The Golden Girls was never a big syndicated show. But it did excellent in other markets.
Like with popular music today. Part of the reason it is less profitable is that new artists are STILL competing with old artists who are putting out new material and young people discovering old Beatles and Eagles albums.
Again profit is relative. While Michael Jackson made millions form his CDs it also COST millions to make. Other artists can sell less and make more PROFIT as their costs are a lot lower
Finally there is less leverage today for independents. Now with conglomerates owning so much they force and issue. For instance Disney will say to get your local ABC affiliate you must ALSO take ABC Family Channel, The Disney Channel, various ESPN AND give them good channel placement. EVEN if no one in that cable market wants the additional Disney owned cable channels to get ABC-TV network they must take it.
(Note all the networks do this ABC is only an example)
So with less and less independent stations, more programming is done on a national level, even with TV.<P ID="signature">______________
Once I figured out the meaning of life....Then I forgot to write it down.</P>
T
Tom_Desmond
Guest
Six Sigma
> Part of the reason this exists it the newish concept of Six
> Sigma. In other words max your profit for the least
> investment.
That's not what Six Sigma is. Six Sigma is a statistical term that refers to an extremely low defect ratio, and is not at all relevant to determining what programs are going to air on which channels. Where Six Sigma is relevant is in controlling processes. It is typically used in manufacturing environments, although I would expect that it could also be relevant in a broadcast control room where it would be used to ensure that programming and commercials air without glitches, and as scheduled.
> Part of the reason this exists it the newish concept of Six
> Sigma. In other words max your profit for the least
> investment.
That's not what Six Sigma is. Six Sigma is a statistical term that refers to an extremely low defect ratio, and is not at all relevant to determining what programs are going to air on which channels. Where Six Sigma is relevant is in controlling processes. It is typically used in manufacturing environments, although I would expect that it could also be relevant in a broadcast control room where it would be used to ensure that programming and commercials air without glitches, and as scheduled.
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