[bigbob]

They’re just like radio programmers - could care less what people say they want. “We’re smarter than you so quit complaining”.

Gee, sounds a lot like Democrats in Congress doesn’t it?

[lmr]

They’re just like radio programmers - could care less what people say they want. “We’re smarter than you so quit complaining”.

I honestly think that the format of this network is proving to be a crappy business model or at least not giving them the ratings and revenue that the execs desire. On a given day, you are going to find people who will watch these reruns, however, this isn't a dedicated audience and their level of commitment is low. Without something fresh, they will only have people popping in and out and never keep the attention of their viewers for very long.

I'm guessing the original programming is being introduced as a way to start filling some prime time evening spots with programs that have a steady audience so that TV land can boost it's ratings, and hence, it's ad revenue. There just isn't enough attention span in the old shows.

MTV had to do the same thing years ago. When all you show are 4-5 minute music videos to easily distracted Teens and Tweens, you aren't going to hold their attention for very long, nor can you count on a steady viewing diet. MTV's audience popped in and out and eventually they had to have original programming. In their case, Reality TV was their staple for awhile, along with a few other things like Beavis and Butthead, etc. These programs kept the audience's attention for more than a few minutes, which is what you need to really be taken seriously by advertisers. It's even better if you can keep the audience's attention for several hours, this is what Network TV does on many given nights.

[relictele]

You’ve said it.

We were once fans of BBC America. For one thing the native UK versions of the BBC aren’t available on any satellite due to the licensing (taxes) of the Beeb in the UK. They also carried EastEnders, Britain’s most popular soap.

In 2003 they dropped EastEnders claiming it was a ratings drag (despite it being a perennial top 3 ratings winner in the UK). The channel president was a shameful coward throughout and, as it turned out, a liar. Today BBC America airs a very limited slate of current UK programming and has been reduced to airing (wait for it) reruns of Star Trek: The Next Generation and the US version of Dancing With The Stars (!?!)

But as you say the programmers are ivory tower TV types who ‘know better’ and when they make a mockery of their channel’s very name they still don’t get it.

We probably haven’t watched 10 cumulative hours of BBCA since then. Thank God for torrents and loads of helpful people capping and posting shows all over the world.

The programmers are programming themselves out of a job. May it arrive quickly.

[relictele]

http://www.whybbcamericasucks.com/

[Blue Ink]

As the article notes, “Hot in Cleveland” has consistently bested TVLand’s biggest ratings for ‘classic’ programming by thirty percent. That means more people watching. How are they not giving people what they want?

[packrat35]

Which is why I gave up on TV for the most part years ago. I have over 5000 DVD and Netflix, so I can watch what I want when I want and seldom watch “regular” TV anymore.

Watching “Baa Baa Black Sheep” TV series now as I freep.