More original local programming key to survival
Stephen Warley January 5th, 2007
I’m of the school of thought that the whole network/affiliation model doesn’t make sense over the long term. I think the notion that I would go to my local ABC affiliate’s site to download Lost instead of ABC.com or iTunes is completely ridiculous. As you’ve heard before on LR, people watch shows, not networks or channels. So what are local affiliates to do? How about creating more original local programming like local stations had to do in the early days of TV? Also, somewhere along the line “local programming” became synonymous with “news”. It shouldn’t. Here in Boston, a group of guys are shopping around a reality show called RU Wicked Funny? Think Last Comic Standing, but for New England. I’ve talked to creators Mark Longchamps and Michael Coleman about their concept, and what they understand so well is the “recognition factor”. Gaining notoriety in your local community is sometimes more satisfying than getting your 15-mintues of fame on a national scale. Are their any interesting original local programs in your market?
18 Comments Add your own
1. thedetroitchannel | January 5th, 2007 at 6:13 am
i was stunned to find out that most of the b/w stuff done in detroit way back when was discarded as they went along…the thinking was they’d just keep cranking it out.
a local guy tries his best to keep it alive at detroitkidshow(dotcom).
the sailor with his hat on sideways shown in the header was my neighbor’s dad when we were going up.
the days, my friend.
the days.
2. Ralph Riccardi | January 5th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Here is a shamless plug for a show I am producing in the Boston area only for FSN New England. Sports and entertainment personalities build their own dream ride on camera. Featured shows include the 1966 Batmobile and the restoration of the original Monkeemobile. CelebrityBuild (dot tv). There is a great upside to producing locally.
3. Randall King | January 5th, 2007 at 7:06 am
http://www.wiwutv51.com
In Marion, Indiana, orphaned between the Fort Wayne and Indy markets, we are doing local television circa 1965. Local newsmagazine, sports, a local artist demonstrating painting techniques, local cermonies and even spelling bees. Of course, we have the financial base of a university, which also provides a labor pool. But the point is clear - who does these kinds of programs anymore? True community television might just find an under-served audience and even make money.
4. Stephen Warley | January 5th, 2007 at 7:11 am
Randall, very cool stuff! And Ralph there are no shameless plugs on LR . . . . .it’s all about sharing ideas, right?!
5. invitedmedia | January 5th, 2007 at 7:12 am
google also had the “financial base of a university” when it started… and look how that failed.
all the best to you!
6. saundra | January 5th, 2007 at 7:49 am
But guys,
How do you make money? Seems like hyper-local stuff still has the high overhead (if it’s quality) with a drastic reduction in ad base. There aren’t enough bodies left in most stations to properly produce a fresh newscast, much less create fabulous original programming.
7. Cory | January 5th, 2007 at 8:05 am
It’s all about keeping production costs low. So I tend to approach this from the other direction: creating an onilne video show+podcast that may have some TV components, insteading of creating a TV show with web components.
8. Jason | January 5th, 2007 at 8:44 am
I see a place for the infomercial model: local producers sell their own ad time, and then buy the time from the station. If the show draws an audience, perhaps the model flips. In the meantime, everyone makes money, and the audience wins.
9. Stephen Warley | January 5th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Saundra,
This is the “broadcast trap”. Production values are just one aspect of content. There is tons of local TV news programming with high production values and incredible boring and inane content.
HDTV is also a shining example. It’s had almost no impact on ratings. It works for sports, travel, and nature programming, but who really cares if they watch local TV news in HD?
There are plenty of low cost models out there outside of news:
1. Reality and non-scripted programming
2. American’s Funniest Home Videos
3. VH1’s Web Junk 20
Some potental revenue models:
1. one sponsor for entire program
2. local sopping show like http://www.ourmaine.com
3. infomercial model as described by Jason
I also agree with Cory that there’s a great opportunity to go after niches online. Check out:
1. TurnHere.com
2. Boston.tv
10. Randy Hoffman | January 5th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Interesting post. And your call on local programming becoming news programming is right on. In many stations the title of news director has evolved to something like: VP of News and Original Programming. So what kind of original programming do you think a news director will create? Also, the vast majority of resources a local station has for original programming is found in the news budget.
And as far as cost of production and return on investment, why do we continue to think of local programing in traditional ways? Why does local programming mean a 30-minute program? Or a 15-minute program? Is U-Tube a program channel? Would your state consider funding a local C-Span? Are widgets really just a form of programming? And I found this very interesting “channel” a couple weeks ago with some interesting “programming,” it’s called Lost Remote!
11. thelosangeleschannel | January 5th, 2007 at 9:31 am
look out, safran… randy called your website a “channel”.
12. charlie | January 5th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Here in Houston KTRK (ABC O&O) has a production department who’s sole function is the development of long-form specials. Of course, most have a newsy slant, but are quite watchable–and pull a great number Sunday nights following the “football” (quotes because we’re talking Texans Football) wrapup.
KHOU (Belo) produces a morning show that’s at least partically advertorial driven. Despite the weak host, the show also pulls good numbers.
Of course, none of it comes to the standard of what I remember seeing on WCVB in Boston while I was in college. Miller’s Court is a perfect example. Great content that must have drawn an audience…
And what about the D2 channels? KTRK runs loops of those specials, KHOU has the weather radar on theirs, and God knows what the rest do…
The opportunities for making compelling content available are greater than ever. So, why is it we seem to have less than ever?
It can’t just be money.
13. Amanda | January 5th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
So Cory, does this mean KING is going to bring back “Almost Live!” (and broadcast it on NWCN so those of us in Spokane can watch it)
14. Rob | January 5th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Why not take all those years of Almost Live! and stream ‘em on the web and vodcast ‘em too? I’d give anything to see Uncle Fran’s Musical Forest or Governor Gary Locke’s cameo on the John Report (”And now the spotlight falls on Governor Gary Locke”).
15. Dave | January 5th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Why not create a local “TV Land” type broadband channel / digital channel with all of your old programming?
Why let it rot on the shelves? Use it to make money…
16. Bhavesh | October 2nd, 2007 at 12:55 pm
i have one problem in my tv
Videocon X-lent
model no : TV21X-50
it has no contrast variation
thats why i have need,
how to open service menu in my TV.
THANKS IN ADVANCE
17. Vikas | November 13th, 2007 at 1:11 am
TV21X-50
it has no contrast variation
thats why i have need,
how to open service menu in my TV.
18. Vikas | November 13th, 2007 at 1:12 am
Videocon TV
model no : TV21X-50
it has no contrast variation
thats why i have need,
how to open service menu in my TV.
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