Has Network TV lost so much of its audience during the past decade (or two) because it can’t show nudity? Because it only grudgingly and inconsistently allows “strong” language? Because it doesn’t dare to attempt to cover really deep, raw, gritty story subjects.
From the New Yorker, June 2006
Part of the problem stems from the above reasons. But ALL of the reason boils down to the reliance on commercial sponsors.
Since the dawn of TV, the sponsors have owned the programming and — as a result — the networks. None of the major networks will dare to cross the advertisers.
How about the FCC? No — networks challenge the FCC all the time. Sometimes they have to pay fines. But they seem to be OK with that.
The biggest problem is satisfying the advertisers that there will be people watching the programs that a Network puts on the air.
And not just any people — the RIGHT people.
Dividing the audience by sex, income level, age and other factors is called “demographics.” TV