Author Topic: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?  (Read 10575 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline ILoveBonusGame

  • 2/15/2008
  • TPiR Alumnus
  • *
  • Posts: 1826
CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« on: May 09, 2006, 05:29:33 PM »
Do the time constraints that have been applied to Price also apply to dramas, soap operas, etc.? If not, why is CBS just trying to make Price a target for time cuts?

Offline SteveGavazzi

  • Loyal Friend and True &
  • Director
  • **********
  • Posts: 17980
Re: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2006, 06:44:36 PM »
CBS added more ad time to Price because they think it has enough viewers to make it worthwhile.  In a warped way, it's actually flattering.
"Every game is somebody's favorite." -- Wise words from Roger Dobkowitz.

Offline OldPrice75

  • Taking a Bonus Spin
  • *****
  • Posts: 748
Re: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2006, 08:30:54 PM »
I don't see why it wouldn't apply to the soaps.  That would be a crime. :-(

Offline RG

  • In the Audience
  • **
  • Posts: 71
Re: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2006, 12:34:01 AM »
It's not just TPIR, or CBS.  It's an industry-wide thing.  All the networks and cable channels have more advertising.

See the article at the website below for an details.  

http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=9921

Offline TVFavorites

  • Walking the Golden Road
  • ****
  • Posts: 406
    • Game Show Favorites
Re: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2006, 12:30:48 PM »
It seems to me it would be easier to cut time from soaps since their story lines continue on and on each day, it would not matter so much if a minute or two were cut out.  The storyline shouldn't suffer for that.  On the other hand, Price has a certain amount of things to do that must be completed in one episode (without rule/format changes) so time cuts hit Price much harder than soaps.

Offline CBSpromoman

  • Double Showcase Winner
  • ******
  • Posts: 4178
    • Patrick’s Place
Re: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2006, 12:53:06 PM »
Quote

TV Favorites wrote:
It seems to me it would be easier to cut time from soaps since their story lines continue on and on each day, it would not matter so much if a minute or two were cut out.  The storyline shouldn't suffer for that.  On the other hand, Price has a certain amount of things to do that must be completed in one episode (without rule/format changes) so time cuts hit Price much harder than soaps.


While that may be true, that doesn't mean that CBS is only picking on 'Price.'  All shows are shorter than they used to be because networks are trying to make every dollar they can.  That's business, not a reflection on their feelings about the shows they air.

CBS's highest-rated shows in daytime are "The Price is Right" and "The Young and the Restless."  It shouldn't come as a surprise, therefore, that these two shows would be included in time changes.

I'm sure 'Price's' production office is more than capable of letting the network brass know how many cuts are too many.
Visit my blog: Patrick's Place

Offline TVC

  • Taking a Bonus Spin
  • *****
  • Posts: 739
Re: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2006, 03:07:04 PM »
Remember the old days of the NAB Code, the Seal of Good Practice, and one minute network breaks?

Offline Mallory16

  • Double Showcase Winner
  • ******
  • Posts: 9006
  • Icon by Gemma Moody
Re: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2006, 03:12:23 PM »
Maybe it's a stupid question on my part, but why are the networks slowly giving themselves more time for advertisers?  I mean, if they could have gotten more money by taking time away from shows in the mid-80s, then why have they only slowly been doing it over time?

Offline The Big Wheel

  • Double Showcase Winner
  • ******
  • Posts: 1232
.
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2006, 03:56:49 PM »
Wasn't there some talk a while back about networks planning to put a logo of a product in the corner of the screen for some time during a show, much like the network bug being omnipresent now?  We're seeing them now on NASCAR races.

If that's in the works, it looks as if shows could get some of their time back, rather than giving it up for more advertising.
Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!

Offline TVC

  • Taking a Bonus Spin
  • *****
  • Posts: 739
Re: CBS Time Constraints - do they affect other shows?
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2006, 06:35:27 PM »
>> If they could have gotten more money by taking time away from shows in the mid-80s, then why have they only slowly been doing it over time? <<

Stations that belonged to the National Association of Broadcasters (most did) subscribed to the Television Code, a set of voluntary standards established by the organization in 1952. The Television Code prescribed self-imposed standards on matters such as programming in good taste and limiting the amount of advertising within programs. Member stations received the NAB's Seal of Good Practice. They would display this seal at station sign on/sign off and on other occasions.

The Seal of Good Practice harkens back to the era when broadcasters were considered public trustees of the airwaves, and that they had obligations to operate in the public's best interest. These concepts were eroded by Ronald Reagan's efforts to "deregulate" radio and television in the 1980s, and by subsequent acts of Congress. That's why the transition occurred over time.

In 1983, a Federal judge ruled that the Television Code violated the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and was responsible for keeping the cost of commercials artificially high. The Television Code was declared unlawful. So today, we can enjoy "Fear Factor," have almost no non-news local programming, and commercial breaks that last virtually as long as they show they appear in.

Offline CBSpromoman

  • Double Showcase Winner
  • ******
  • Posts: 4178
    • Patrick’s Place
Re: .
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2006, 02:03:21 PM »
Quote

The Big Wheel wrote:
Wasn't there some talk a while back about networks planning to put a logo of a product in the corner of the screen for some time during a show, much like the network bug being omnipresent now?  We're seeing them now on NASCAR races.

If that's in the works, it looks as if shows could get some of their time back, rather than giving it up for more advertising.


One of the primary rules of television advertising is that once a show loses time for ads, it never gets that time back.  Even if they add logos.  Even if they raise ad rates on existing spots.  Even if they split up commercials within breaks to be shorter to fit more sponsors in.

Once a show proves to the network that it can successfully continue without x minutes of time, the network isn't going to just hand a portion of that back:  TV is an expensive business, and the nets need the money.
Visit my blog: Patrick's Place