Better stow all potables and sharp objects, for the ratings of America's top four broadcast networks are so bad that one is giving refunds to advertisers while the other three are offering what is known in the industry as "make-goods."
Even better, the problem began before the writers strike.
Honestly, you can't make this stuff up.
As deliciously reported by Reuters moments ago (emphasis added):
Fourth-ranked broadcaster NBC has quietly begun reimbursing advertisers an average of $500,000 each for failing to reach guaranteed ratings levels, the first time a network has taken such a step in years, media buyers said.
Networks usually offer make-goods -- free advertising slots -- in the event of such shortfalls. But NBC has none to give. In fact, no broadcast network has much ad inventory left between now and year's end -- except for, perhaps, a handful of units the week between Christmas and New Year's, and that doesn't do much for advertisers chasing holiday shoppers.
CBS, ABC and Fox also are doling out make-goods, primarily for the first quarter. They have blamed softness on a new ratings formula, but media agencies disagree. None of the networks would comment.
The networks' problems emerged even before the Writers Guild of America went on strike November 5. The networks had enough first-run shows to get them through November, and repeats and replacement programming will not begin in earnest until January -- when their problems will likely start to worsen.
Among the Big Four networks, NBC has the most serious ad shortfall, as its primetime ratings are down most dramatically.
This raises a couple of what should be obvious questions:
- Might this ratings slide have anything to do with NBC's obvious shift to the left by its news divisions?
- How will this network's recent kerfuffle regarding support the troops ads impact its ratings moving forward?
Regardless of the answers, it seems a metaphysical certitude FNC's Bill O'Reilly will have something to say on this subject.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Maybe they could get some
December 11, 2007 - 15:36 ET by motherbeltMaybe they could get some advice from Air America on how to stay afloat without advertisers or an audience....
mb-
December 11, 2007 - 16:37 ET by drillanwrI'm sure the DNC is scrambling right now to throw some money their way.
Perhaps an emergency Holiday meeting of both Houses of Congress in DC to discuss NBC's importance to America in it's balancing the opinion world against FNC, conservative talk radio, and the dreaded blogs? A Bill will be passed to make NBC part of NPR, maybe??????
Just tossing mudballs here ...
Yes
December 11, 2007 - 15:38 ET by deerjerkydaveA few months back I committed myself to avoid NBC as much as possible. It seems I'm not alone.
NBC could eliminate their news departments and start from scratch with a fair and balanced approach to journalism. This would get me watching again.
The only show that I care to
December 11, 2007 - 15:56 ET by MassConservThe only show that I care to watch on NBC is Chuck. Aside from that the only other show on the network I even pay attention to is ER and that could end for all time and not see me shed one tear for it. Old habits die hard.
I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for these folks to wake up.
NBC Sunday Night Liberalball
December 11, 2007 - 16:02 ET by Lame CherryI have blogged about his before in Newbusters alerting ways to have viewers complain about the liberal nonsense which happens on NBC Sunday football in they are so tainting the game it is making it disgusting to watch.
Collinsworth apparently has had so many people writing in that he is being hidden and not intruding on Michaels and Madden anymore. He just basically sits and grins like the monkey he is knowing he might have burnt his last job on television.
What Olberman is doing on that program is beyond belief as it is like watching Letterman with Al Franken in only he laughs at his own jokes.
Costas I used to appreciate, but they have him so liberaled up that his only recourse has been to sit there sounding stupid or making jokes on "Green night" how stupid it all was.
There comes a point when even the perks of promoting gays and other wacko causes starts having advertisers thinking association is a bad thing as much as the NFL hopefully will be dawned upon to see how bad NBC is.
Right now I only watch, My Name is Earl because it is the only thing on Thursday early as I settle in for the night........otherwise NBC gets football and I turn it off at the pre game and halftime commentary.
The time to hit NBC is now and the time for NBC to hire someone like me for programming was 5 years ago. People just will not stand for political agendas in their entertainment.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
The only shows we watch on NBC
December 11, 2007 - 16:10 ET by connmanis Earl, The Office and Deal or no Deal. Thats it! And it was ridiculous watching it during "Green Week" when they offered up stupid tips while we were trying to laugh! Oh yea I sometimes watch the Today program for about 10 minutes just to see what the latest liberal drivel is that will be falling from the lips. There's no doubt that the left leaning peacock is feeling it in the purse. What a shame! Sarcasm on/
Another example
December 11, 2007 - 16:12 ET by celatorAnother example of the meltdown of the MSM. There's no hope for them. The times have changed, they haven't. Buh-bye.
Buggy whips, anyone?
Loved OPM!
December 11, 2007 - 16:14 ET by HermanoLoved OPM!
NBC might be able to start
December 11, 2007 - 16:14 ET by HermanoNBC might be able to start offering "make-goods" again pretty soon if the advertisers continue to leave. They can then spin it the way the others are.
It's not about politics
December 11, 2007 - 16:25 ET by Adam_MEAs much as I'd love to blame this on MSNBC's shift to the far left or stupid publicity stunts like "Green Week", the simple fact is they have very few established hit shows and most of their new offerings are getting either mediocre or downright terrible ratings.
"Bionic Woman" was a disaster, and while I've heard good things about "Chuck", "Life", and "Journeyman", none are attracting that many viewers. The less said about the debacle that was "Heroes Season 2" the better.
All that being said, NBC does still have two of the best shows on network TV: "The Office" and "Friday Night Lights". The latter BTW is arguably the most conservative dramatic series on the air. Bash NBC's news division all you want, but give their programming department major props for broadcasting a realistic depicition of life in a small Texas town that doesn't condescend or resort to stereotypes
Airlines,Bankers and Bad Mortgages
December 11, 2007 - 17:08 ET by sentforth5Are the major networks going to get bailed out by 'the government' if they start to fall apart? My pockets hurt.
What??!!!
December 11, 2007 - 17:27 ET by c5thenThe three old networks are still charging advertisers for running ads? I figured that they'd have switch to running them for free by now since most of the ads are more entertaining and better produced than the actual shows that they try and pawn off on the poor people who can't afford cable or satellite TV.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
The only show to me worth
December 11, 2007 - 18:46 ET by BlazerThe only show to me worth watching was The Office.
When NBC decided to hold nothing sacred and bastardize one of America's favorite past-times with the Olbernutt's greasy mug and then had the audacity to interject their enviro-wackiness into it, that did it for me.
They have no shame.
Now I catch the Sunday night game on Sirius.
Oh yea, and screw ABC and CBS too.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Might this ratings slide
December 11, 2007 - 20:46 ET by Jack BauerNah ... nice to think but I wouldn't buy that. It's the prime time shows like Heroes.
Apparently after last season's fantastic ratings, creator Tim Kring has admitted that the new "romantic" storylines just haven't popped with fans, so they are retooling.
Check out my exclusive edit of BBC News America's interview with Mrs Clinton: It's news to me!
That's 30 for the networks
December 11, 2007 - 20:48 ET by pocomocoThe news division of NBC has been responsible for the slow demise of the entire network and the CEO of GE, the parent company of NBC, appears to be the culprit.
This became clear when he tried to do a Fred Astaire yesterday about the reason why NBC didn’t run the “troops” ad.
So. now we are made aware that BDS goes all the way to the board room of NBC and, most probably, ABC and CBS. That explains why newsreading dolts Olbermann, Mathews, Schuster, Williams, Cafferty, Couric, Schieffer, et al., have been able to put out their liberal screeds each night for years, with impunity.
But not to worry! I can hear the faint sounds of a funeral dirge being practiced in commemoration of the networks inexorable demise. It is low and it is sweet.
That's 30 for the networks.
NBC
December 11, 2007 - 21:17 ET by shawn228The ratings drop for NBC has nothing to do with the shift to the left, it has to do with the quality of the shows. NBC owned Thursday night for years. Family Ties, Cheers, Seinfeld, Friends ER, no other station stood a chance. That all changed when Survivor came on the scene.
I like to watch Heroes, SNL and Friday Night Lights and nothing else. NBC sucks because of the boring shows, not because of a liberal bias.
NBC sucks for both reasons,
December 11, 2007 - 21:44 ET by MikeBNBC sucks for both reasons, Shawn. I don't think the news department ever made a profit for them (I may be wrong on that), but when talk radio (Rush, et al) and the internet came along and started exposing the networks as the propaganda engines they were, they started hemorrhaging viewers.
Then, the nets stopped delivering quality entertainment and started delivering leftist propaganda in their entertainment division. Look back over the years, and you'll see whatever cause the left was backing would be what appeared as "entertainment". Whether it was environmentalism, homosexuality, secular humanism, or whatever, the nets tried to forcefeed the public with it. It seems the public wasn't buying it. If they weren't trying to propagandize us, they would offer "reality" shows. They were fairly cheap to produce, and it seems that some of them had (or still have) a following. Growing Up Gotti? C'mon! Occasionally the networks would put on decent programs that were popular with the viewing public. Touched by an Angel comes to mind, and you already mentioned Family Ties and Cheers.
Perhaps with their cash flow problems, the nets will accept advertising from non-leftist organizations such as the NRA. But, I wouldn't bet the rent check on it. I do believe they'd go belly up before putting information on their networks that wasn't approved by MediaMatters or MoveOn.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan