Cable TV vs. Network TV

HERE is the link to the article I referenced.

Television on the four major networks (broadcast TV) has hit a wall. Besides a few well written shows (House, LOST), most of the dramas on network TV are inferior to ones on cable. Gillian Reagan, a writer for Business Insider, said this was due to many reasons. She said the biggest problem the networks face is that many top flight shows are being picked up by cable networks, while broadcast TV is left with the scraps. Reagan says this occurs for three reasons; One is the switch (mainly NBC as of late) to substitute reality programming in lieu of scripted television. Secondly, networks often cancel a show before even finishing a seasons worth of programming. There is little chance for an audience to grow because of the broadcast executives quick trigger-fingers. On cable, most series almost always at least get one full season. Thirdly, programming is usually darker and much more realistic on cable than on traditional broadcasts.

I think this can be solved in a few ways. I think like with comedy shows, network dramas have become stale. Do we really need 3 CSI's and 2 NCIS's? They are basically the same show. Look at what is on cable right now. Dexter is about serial killer who works for Miami homicide. It's funny, creepy, and more unique than anything on networks. Breaking Bad is a great example as well. A teacher who gets terminal cancer, and decides to get into the business of selling meth.

Neither of those would have ever made it to the big four. What can they do? Be courageous. Give those who try out a new idea or intriguing story a chance and some money to bring their creation to life. I think the other huge thing that needs to happen for network dramas is to slash at least 5 episodes a season.

When you have to fill 23 episodes in a season, content gets stale. Most cable shows have around 13 episodes in a season. There is no "pointless" episode, usually. LOST is the best drama on TV right now, in my opinion, and since the third season, they've only had 16 episodes in a season. While there may be fewer advertising opportunities, the production cost of a show will go down, too. Now, you can spend more money on new shows, and improve the quality of the programming already running.