Reality TV, which is what they've gone over to, is cheaper to produce because they don't have to pay people. Ideology plays a role, but if they think Duck Dynasty will generate revenue they aren't going to turn it down because of politics.
It's funny to think that going all the way to Alaska, say, and filming gold miners or mountain men for months could be cheaper than staying in the city and making a historical documentary from archival sources, but I guess the people who control the archives want to be paid for the right to use their material, and the staff has to pay big city rents and other living costs. It could actually be cheaper to move everyone to the bayou and feed them sandwiches and the odd muskrat.
There’s nothing wrong with the occasional reality show. Per se some of them are very interesting. But it’s the whole gamut of cable shows who’ve deceived the viewers with garbage programming. I mean, what kind of person thinks “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” is a worthwhile show? That person has their taste up their wazoo.