Yesterday, the Hollywood Reporter had an article about how, because the Writers Guild strike, ABC-TV just released its "Strike-Proof" primetime schedule for the fall. Just to be clear about something: "Strike-Proof" programming is easy. Programming that viewers will actually want to watch -- that's harder. The schedule they showed is laughable. And that's even if this was the only TV channel in the country, and the only option that people had to watch television. Hey, this really makes you excitedly look forward to the fall on ABC, doesn't it?! Alas, dismal as that programming is, all the serious problems now kick in that make it even far worse. For starters, there isn't just one channel. There are five networks. And a few hundred cable channels on any given service. (For the record, there are over 1,700 cable channels.) Along with premium cable channels like HBO and Showtime. Worse for ABC, there are also a massive number of streaming options for series and movies that one hasn't watched yet. And we're now going to go into a deep dive to look at that world -- Speaking only personally, I keep a literal list of Shows to Watch, and it's so long that there are limited series and original movies on it from three years ago that I haven't even gotten to yet! And then there are all the many theatrical movies from recent years -- along with from years past -- that I've never gotten around to watching, but would like to. And that doesn't include the great-many streaming series (American, British and international) that I've been sort of, kind of interested in, but not enough to add to my list because it was much too long already. Not to mention the streaming series and movies I scroll by that look like they could be okay, but I don't even stop to look into more because of all the other things already on my list and all good series that I'm actually kind-of interested in but didn't even make the list. And all of that doesn't even include the streaming reruns of classic TV series I loved but haven't seen in decades. And all of this above -- all of it -- I would much, much, much rather watch than Press Your Luck, The Golden Bachelor, Judge Steve Harvey, The $100.000 Pyramid -- and probably 90% of what else is on their schedule. And I suspect I'm not all that totally different from most people. Except for maybe keeping an actual list... But yes, it's worse than even this. Because contracts with the Directors Guild and SAG/AFTRA are both up within the month. And it seems unlikely that the AMTPT companies will reach agreements with them, since whatever they offer to those unions, they'd have to offer to the WGA. And if SAG/AFTRA strikes, it's going to be impossible to get the celebrities and hosts of these crack shows, since they're all members of SAG/AFTRA. And then who are networks going to get to direct them?! And just to put a cherry on top, there's even one more thing to include. Getting sponsors to pay to advertise on these shows. Let alone, with most-surely paltry viewership, pay a rate high enough to justify putting them on TV. So, does ABC-TV actually have a "Strike-Proof" schedule? Yes. As long as the public doesn't realize that there are hundreds of other cable channels and all the streaming services. And as long as ABC doesn't care how many people watch and care if sponsors want to advertise. And as long as the Directors Guild and SAG-AFTRA don't also go on strike in the next month.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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