Before crying too much over the networks’ lean revenues, consider that channels get a fee per subscriber from cable and satellite providers in addition to roughly 20 minutes per hour of ad revenue.
Part of what is killing tv programming is their fast finger cancellations. Why get invested in a series if it gets cancelled and ends with a cliff-hanger?
Another thing that is killing some networks is their programming filled with political/social agenda issues and sorry programs. Last season some 29 programs were cancelled or ended their runs. This season nearly 40 programs were cancelled. Several of those cancellations came after only 2 to 5 broadcasts.
Supernatural, Chuck and Castle were three programs that nearly got cancelled at the end of their first season. Ironically, the networks did renew them. Now, Supernatural has been on about a decade with a consistent audience. Similarly, Castle has managed some of the highest ratings over the competition and is heading for its 7th season. Chuck saw 5 seasons.
Television providers need to find ways to adapt to the internet and new technologies. They have had it pretty cushy for the last 70 years. Even their nostalgia channels are goldmines — massive numbers of commercials for products created in the last century.
Never seen an episode of any of those.