Are TV Networks Doing it Wrong?
I’m about to confess to something that I am not proud. This confession is not easy to make, but I feel the time has come for me to put it all out there for the judgmental eyes and minds of the world. Okay, here it goes:
I watch a lot of television. Like…A LOT.
At last count, I regularly watch seventeen different television programs EVERY SINGLE WEEK. I even have a list on my iPhone of the shows I watch so that I don’t miss any. And it’s not like I do this for work or to write reviews or whatever; I just really like watching TV. Go ahead…judge me. I deserve it.
To be even more honest, most of the shows I watch aren’t the kind of shows my parents would watch. They’re comedies and hour long dramas with mature themes, salty language, and immature jokes. And yet, I watch—religiously. Does watching these shows conflict with my Christian views? Absolutely. Do I feel convicted enough to stop? Not even close (again, feel free to judge to your heart’s content). The content of today’s television shows reflects the downward spiraling trajectory of our country’s moral center, and yet there I am, supporting its descent all the way. However, regardless of my shortcomings as a Christian, I can’t help but think the networks that put these shows on the air are making a massive mistake.
Recently, much has been said about how the overall viewership of television programs is falling. People simply aren’t tuning in to shows the way they used to. In all actuality, the networks are in panic mode because of this recent trend. Hulu, Netflix, illegal pirating, and other viewing sources have taken a massive chunk out of the networks’ viewers, which means they can’t sell their premium ad space at the same rates as they normally would—and that means less money for everyone involved (hence the panic mode).
Considering the viewership gap in relation to the type of shows that are on the tube these days, my mind can’t help but wander to a recent survey which claimed that a whopping 72% of the American population considers themselves to be a Christian. Now, I realize that the term “Christian” has taken on a very loose definition these days (that’s another subject for another time), but even if that figure is skewed by say 20%, that still means that over 50% of Americans are Christians. And if we can accept this as truth, doesn’t it make sense that TV networks would want to appeal to such a large demographic?
I realize that some Christians are like me and watch shows regardless of the content; that’s our right. But there are also those who won’t watch a show with less-than-wholesome themes simply because it conflicts with their Christian views. And because these people are normal humans with normal wants, they have a need to be entertained as well.
For some reason, networks have decided that being seen as “trendy” or “edgy” are more important than the success of their programs—and this is where they fall short. More and more often, shows with downward facing premises are introduced, only to be swept off the schedule once their performance is found lacking. Or maybe it’s just the lack of funny material that’s the downfall for these shows (Whitney, you should’ve never seen the light of day). Either way, buying and premiering shows that are of such ragged material simply are not working for networks these days. Maybe it’s time for a change.
I won’t pretend that I’d watch a show with Disney Channel qualities, but a show built for a more conservative audience wouldn’t have to be corny or overly sappy (Touched by an Angel, everyone!). There are premises and ideas for shows that could work if these major networks would simply open up their thinking to truly consider the strong Christian presence this country has. There’s potential to reach more viewers, and more viewers means increased prices for ad space, which means more money for the networks and everyone involved. And that has the potential to make everyone happy.
Maybe I’m way off base. Maybe Christians are fine with watching Jersey Shore and the like (God help us all), but I can’t help but believe there’s an untapped reserve of people who are waiting to be entertained by good, wholesome programming. It’s time that they were targeted by television executives who aren’t afraid to buck the trend of appealing to the lowest common denominator of morality; all it takes is a little creative courage and initiative.
But then again, maybe that’s asking too much these days.
Cory Copeland writes about God, Life, and Love on his blog at www.MadtoLove.com. You can follow him on Twitter here.
Cory’s debut novel “These Were the Nights” will be available everywhere this spring.
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Considering so many TV pilots are pitched, that don’t get picked up, I can bet in that bunch are well-written shows that aren’t “edgy” but the networks don’t believe there’s an audience for them, so they’re rejected.
And that’s a crying shame. Who knows, maybe there will be a Quarterlife TV at some point in the future!