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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Hollywood on Strike Again?!?!

The old adage goes that those who don't learn from their mistakes are bound to repeat them. The recent writers strike should have taught all the parties in Hollywood that a strike does no one any good. Want proof that Hollywood suffers, just look at the recent announcements of all the new shows premiering this Fall. Do you feel the excitement? Neither do I.

The old standards, American Idol for one, despite being the number watched series, is losing viewers. Different year, same format, same silliness, same inane banter. And its success has spawned so many similar shows, including dancing competitions, that the uniqueness and appeal have worn thin.

Broadcast in general has seen viewership decline as cable provides the comfort food of reruns and original series that reach valuable niches. And now online video adds another resource for entertainment away from the TV. The fragmentation of viewing choices naturally leads to a loss of viewership by the old guard.

And an actors strike will only further drive away viewers from broadcast. Both parties are at a loss and both have a financial stake to come to agreeable terms. Stop trying to come up with different rules for different platforms. At the end of the day video content is a stream to be consumed; where there is revenue, there are costs associated against it. Be creative, otherwise you will only further kill the golden goose and have to watch American Gladiator 24/7.

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