Question: FX programmer John Landgraf was recently quoted, in regard to the ratings and DVR viewership of Damages, as saying, "The DVR is putting enormous pressure on the business model that underwrites the production of all this high-quality programming. There are going to be many, many shows that will either be canceled or not be produced because of the DVR." It made me wonder if it is possible to go back to "old-time" TV, when companies sponsored the shows. Isn't that how soap operas got their name — weren't they at one point sponsored by laundry detergents? Is there a reason why advertisers wouldn't want to underwrite shows? Nip/Tuck did something like when Sirius Radio offered viewers a limited-interruptions season premiere. I guess product placement is always another, if sometimes more annoying, option. We have seen how slow the networks, and to a lesser degree cable, are riding a trend, but do they really have a choice?
Answer: They may not have a choice, because the fact is tha ...read more
