Network TV Shows Vs Cable Series - Strategies to Keep the Networks Competitive

At the end of the day when the kids are in bed, I sit down to watch a little TV while I work on the computer. I have cable TV so my channel selection is diverse. In addition to the network channels of ABC, NBC and CBS, there is the vast selection of channels like USA and TNT that have started producing their own cable series. So which channel gets most of my viewing time? It varies, but cable channels are gaining my viewership more and more each day.

The cable channels made a wise move a few years back. While the network channels settled for inundating us with news and reality-based shows, the cable channels dedicated their resources to producing quality series. In addition to the TV series provided by the premium cable channels like HBO and Showtime, one can find a wide selection of quality shows on Lifetime, USA and TNT. A few of the choices on these channels include The Closer, In Plain Sight, Army Wives and Leverage.

In addition to providing viewers with a good selection of series, the cable channels made some other smart decisions.

1. They take advantage of debuting shows during the summer months when the network shows are on hiatus. So when viewers are stuck watching re-runs on ABC, CBS and NBC, the cable channels are showing first-run programming.
2. Cable stations are running first-run programming on a regular basis. Instead of following the typical season (Sept-May) that the network TV follows, the cable channels have branched out and are providing cable series year round. Their series run for about 3 months and then go on hiatus for a few months. During the hiatus of one show, they will either premiere a new series; or, start-up the next season for an existing series. The beauty of this schedule is that you are always getting first-run programming.
3. The cable channels have the benefit of being able to replay their shows multiple times. Some channels use a strategy of showing the previous week's episode immediately preceding the current week's episode; while other channels choose to run programs on multiple days and at varying times. This is particularly helpful to viewers who may not be home during prime-time, but are available to watch TV late night or during the day.

So can network TV compete with the cable stations and gain back their viewers? They appear to be on the right track, but they still have some work to do. During the current season they have focused more attention on original programming. However, they still fall victim to running a season that is too short. If the networks are not going to have 22+ episodes per season like they did years ago, then they need to follow some of the strategies outlined above so that viewers have more original programming throughout the year. We shouldn't reach June 1st and suddenly be without shows to watch. This is just opening-up the door for viewers to turn the channel during the summer months and getting hooked on one of the quality series being offered on a cable channel. One thing is for sure, whether its network TV or a cable series, having more quality programming available is a good thing for everyone. So in the end, the viewers will be the ultimate victor in this battle.

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