Talk about not getting a fair chance. Jay had terrific programming in the 10pm hour to help push the Tonight Show. Conan had The Jay Leno Show. Why should audiences turn the channel back to NBC after being forced to turn it off at 10PM. So Conan ratings suffered.
But NBC believes that bring Jay back to 11:30 will also return it to its former ratings glory. "The Washington Post reported yesterday that barring a last-minute change of heart by O'Brien, Leno would return to his old job." Wrong. You can't have a do-over. Returning Jay to the Tonight Show is not the solution. So then what. You have lost Conan and you have lost the Tonight Show.
Rather, NBC should say goodbye to Jay like they planned to do 5 years ago. Put better programming at 10PM and let Conan and his Tonight Show grow back its ratings. The future is Conan, the past is Jay. It's obvious which way NBC should go, but as they continue to make mistakes, it is only natural to see them pick the wrong choice, AGAIN. NBC screwed with "Must See Thursdays", they screwed up with 10 PM, and they screwed up with the Tonight Show. Not a winning record.
So goodbye Conan. Perhaps once NBC gets a new owner, it can finally return to its former glory.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Conan O'Brien Statement: I Will Not Follow Jay At 12:05
Conan takes the high road. If only NBC would do the same. Here is a copy of Conan O'Brien's letter:
"People of Earth:
In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.
Yours,
Conan"
"People of Earth:
In the last few days, I've been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I've been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I've been absurdly lucky. That said, I've been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn't the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn't matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it's always been that way.
Yours,
Conan"
Using Xbox As IPTV Set-Top
Tired of your setbox that controls your cabl TV. Wish it were more responsive and easier to navigate. Like how your gaming devices work. Why not use your gaming device to watch TV.
Microsoft's XBOX and AT&T's U-Verse are working together to make that a reality. No set top box, just the X box and access to all linear and interactive applications on cable. "With the feature, customers 'will be able to watch U-verse TV programming, including live, on-demand, HD and total-home DVR content, on their Xbox receiver,' AT&T spokeswoman Jenny Bridges said. 'The Xbox will enable the same viewing experience and same features that customers get today with a U-verse receiver.'"
For the younger demo comfortable with the XBox controller, it is much easier to use than the remote. In fact it allows easier movement across the entire screen unlike the remote's toggle like capabilities. In fact, the controller is a better device for the TV set. If I were on U-Verse, I would absolutely switch out my set top.
Cable companies, are you paying any attention to this or are you stuck in the 90's.
Microsoft's XBOX and AT&T's U-Verse are working together to make that a reality. No set top box, just the X box and access to all linear and interactive applications on cable. "With the feature, customers 'will be able to watch U-verse TV programming, including live, on-demand, HD and total-home DVR content, on their Xbox receiver,' AT&T spokeswoman Jenny Bridges said. 'The Xbox will enable the same viewing experience and same features that customers get today with a U-verse receiver.'"
For the younger demo comfortable with the XBox controller, it is much easier to use than the remote. In fact it allows easier movement across the entire screen unlike the remote's toggle like capabilities. In fact, the controller is a better device for the TV set. If I were on U-Verse, I would absolutely switch out my set top.
Cable companies, are you paying any attention to this or are you stuck in the 90's.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Leno Done At 10 PM; Should Start A Saturday Night Show
I predicted it in my blog November 30 and indeed my prediction came true. Leno at 10 is cancelled. Remember 5 years ago, NBC wanted Jay Leno out of the Tonight Show and away from 11:30 PM. NBC didn't want Leno to go to the competition. The solution, give him a10PM show, build cheap programming, and save money. What NBC didn't predict was that their local affiliates would complain because the 11PM new ratings would also suffer. So now they want to admit their mistake and return Jay to 11:30PM. The problem is that Conan is there and bringing Jay back won't bring back earlier rating success. The answer for Jay Leno is NOT a do-over.
The answer is to keep Conan at 11:30PM and move The Jay Leno Show to Saturday from 9 - 11PM. Turn his show into a comedy, variety, talk show. Currently, Saturday night is filled with repeats so a fresh show can only improve ratings that night. Perhaps consider moving Jay's show to Vegas and visit some of the great acts and personalities that fill the strip. Jay could become the next great host. But Jay has to update his act. Having watched comedy bits from his show, Jay is getting low brow, with too many sexual references, not acceptable for prime time. He needs to clean up the act. And a Saturday Night show could be the best solution for all.
NBC seems to want to go backwards and that won't work. Jay won't regain earlier ratings; that magic is lost. And letting Conan leave the network to move to Fox only starts competition that you were trying to avoid by keeping Jay in the first place. And Jimmy Fallon is your future so you don't want to screw that up either.
NBC has dug itself into a hole. The Saturday night show for Jay (or Conan) is the solution; a half hour Jay show from 11:30 PM to 12 is not. Get it right
The answer is to keep Conan at 11:30PM and move The Jay Leno Show to Saturday from 9 - 11PM. Turn his show into a comedy, variety, talk show. Currently, Saturday night is filled with repeats so a fresh show can only improve ratings that night. Perhaps consider moving Jay's show to Vegas and visit some of the great acts and personalities that fill the strip. Jay could become the next great host. But Jay has to update his act. Having watched comedy bits from his show, Jay is getting low brow, with too many sexual references, not acceptable for prime time. He needs to clean up the act. And a Saturday Night show could be the best solution for all.
NBC seems to want to go backwards and that won't work. Jay won't regain earlier ratings; that magic is lost. And letting Conan leave the network to move to Fox only starts competition that you were trying to avoid by keeping Jay in the first place. And Jimmy Fallon is your future so you don't want to screw that up either.
NBC has dug itself into a hole. The Saturday night show for Jay (or Conan) is the solution; a half hour Jay show from 11:30 PM to 12 is not. Get it right
Friday, January 8, 2010
Panasonic CTO: We Need 3DTV To Pull Out Of Slump
First of all, CES is one of the biggest shows I've ever attended. The variety of products being shown seems endless. And 3D seems to be a major announcement for both TV manufacturers and cable programmers. From Panasonic to Sony and Sharp, ESPN, Discovery, and others, 3D is the future of consumer in home entertainment. I disagree.
While it may be great for theatrical events like Avatar, it is less necessary for other programming. DO I really need to see The Biggest Loser in 3D! It's biggest stumbling block remains the glasses required to watch the shows. Cool at first, the glasses are a major drawback. My own kids take them off after a short while because they tend to be uncomfortable. The result, the unaided eye sees a blurry picture.
One day 3D will matter, but for the next 5 or more years, I see it limited to movie houses. What is more pressing in the home is a high speed connection to the TV enabling IP provided programming to reach the screen. As cable programming becomes more expensive, consumers will move their viewing habits to the internet for an a la carte programming experience.
And before 3D hits the home, the other service consumers will demand first is TV Everywhere. Microsoft has enabled it through their software in conjunction with AT&T. Sling is out there as well with the ability to move programming to other devices, too. TV Everywhere seems more appealing in the near future than 3D for the consumer.
Lastly, what was most interesting, perhaps even disturbing, was that the Consumer Electronic Show lacked a cable showcase. NBC was there, but no other programming. No Operators at all. No Comcast, No Time Warner, no one. The cable industry has tried to operate separate from the manufacturers and it seems that it will eventually be at cable's loss. Why aren't manufacturers touting cablecard devices integrated into their TV sets? Who should we blame? It seems cable. TV manufacturers are going around the cable operators with internet connections, not cable, and the operator will end up be on the losing end.
While it may be great for theatrical events like Avatar, it is less necessary for other programming. DO I really need to see The Biggest Loser in 3D! It's biggest stumbling block remains the glasses required to watch the shows. Cool at first, the glasses are a major drawback. My own kids take them off after a short while because they tend to be uncomfortable. The result, the unaided eye sees a blurry picture.
One day 3D will matter, but for the next 5 or more years, I see it limited to movie houses. What is more pressing in the home is a high speed connection to the TV enabling IP provided programming to reach the screen. As cable programming becomes more expensive, consumers will move their viewing habits to the internet for an a la carte programming experience.
And before 3D hits the home, the other service consumers will demand first is TV Everywhere. Microsoft has enabled it through their software in conjunction with AT&T. Sling is out there as well with the ability to move programming to other devices, too. TV Everywhere seems more appealing in the near future than 3D for the consumer.
Lastly, what was most interesting, perhaps even disturbing, was that the Consumer Electronic Show lacked a cable showcase. NBC was there, but no other programming. No Operators at all. No Comcast, No Time Warner, no one. The cable industry has tried to operate separate from the manufacturers and it seems that it will eventually be at cable's loss. Why aren't manufacturers touting cablecard devices integrated into their TV sets? Who should we blame? It seems cable. TV manufacturers are going around the cable operators with internet connections, not cable, and the operator will end up be on the losing end.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Dolan To Programmers: Don't Price Yourself Out of Business
Jim Dolan has some advice for cable programmers (Scripps are you listening). He says that "huge affiliate fee increases are running the risk of pricing themselves out of business..." And Dolan my be partly right; greed can become a real killer to a marketplace. As consumers get fed up, they seek alternatives.
An example is the DVR. As programmers put too many ads in their programming schedule, consumers discovered that by time shifting programming, they could also fast forward through the ads. Raising programming fees will lead to new solutions. And one might be bypassing the cable operator. If Cablevision takes programming off their line-up, the consumer may find they can access the same programming directly through the web. No programming fees, but no more negotiation hassles either. The programmer will deal directly with the consumer.
TVs are becoming IP connected, consumers are watching more and more from web sites like Hulu, TV.com and others. And consumers are dropping cable subscriptions for other programming connections. So yes Jim, programming could be hurt by drop of their programming on your cable line-up, but cable operators could be hurt AS WELL. As your partnerships between programming and distribution disintegrates, consumers will move to the safer ground of web based programming. And you both lose subscription revenue.
An example is the DVR. As programmers put too many ads in their programming schedule, consumers discovered that by time shifting programming, they could also fast forward through the ads. Raising programming fees will lead to new solutions. And one might be bypassing the cable operator. If Cablevision takes programming off their line-up, the consumer may find they can access the same programming directly through the web. No programming fees, but no more negotiation hassles either. The programmer will deal directly with the consumer.
TVs are becoming IP connected, consumers are watching more and more from web sites like Hulu, TV.com and others. And consumers are dropping cable subscriptions for other programming connections. So yes Jim, programming could be hurt by drop of their programming on your cable line-up, but cable operators could be hurt AS WELL. As your partnerships between programming and distribution disintegrates, consumers will move to the safer ground of web based programming. And you both lose subscription revenue.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Redbox Achieves A Rental Record
Netflix scared Blockbuster and now it may be Redbox's turn to scare Netflix and On Demand. " The DVD rental provider, Redbox, said it broke its one-day rental record New Year's Eve with more than 2 million DVDs checked out by U.S. customers." For a dollar a day, consumers can watch their favorite movies. Compared to VOD at $4 - $5 dollars a day, Redbox is a financial keeper. It seems that consumers will put up with traveling to the local store to access a vending machine and they will put up with rentals and penalty costs for not returning dvds in time, rather than pay more for the convenience of a watching on demand. In a down economy, do Netflix, Blockbuster, and on demand have a new problem on their hands? Consumers change viewing habits for any number of reasons and price is definitely an important factor. As Redbox becomes more successful, watch as on demand competes with more same day and date releases as DVDs, longer viewing windows, and perhaps even LOWER prices.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Fox Not The Only Story, Cablevision Pulls Off Scripps
So much press on the Time Warner Cable and Fox negotiations, that poor Scripps got little attention. And while a last minute deal closed to enable Fox to remain on air in Time Warner markets, HGTV and Food weren't as lucky. Cablevision pulled off the air all of Scripps' channels and viewers have been without going into a fourth day. For my family, fans of Food Challenge, House Hunters, and other shows, serious trouble. Luckily, we don't live in a Cablevision market.
"Since the signals were pulled, Cablevision has been continuously running a "customer" alert on the channel positions, featuring Scripps and the two networks' logos." At the same time, Time Warner is also out of contract with Scripps but has kept the networks on air during this same period. I am confident that in each case, Scripps will formalize a contract with each.
In the meantime, what does a customer do. For us, we would have been actively using our DVR to at least watch our shows. VOD would have dropped the network fare as well and left us out cold. Customers could contemplate switching providers; but note, eventually, networks will have to also renegotiate with telcos and dish and the same hardball tactics will be used again. The day of free over the air TV is gone. Networks want their subscription revenue and customers will either have to work through third party distributors until the day we simply buy our channels directly, a la carte, one at a time, over the web, for viewing in our home and on our approved devices.
"Since the signals were pulled, Cablevision has been continuously running a "customer" alert on the channel positions, featuring Scripps and the two networks' logos." At the same time, Time Warner is also out of contract with Scripps but has kept the networks on air during this same period. I am confident that in each case, Scripps will formalize a contract with each.
In the meantime, what does a customer do. For us, we would have been actively using our DVR to at least watch our shows. VOD would have dropped the network fare as well and left us out cold. Customers could contemplate switching providers; but note, eventually, networks will have to also renegotiate with telcos and dish and the same hardball tactics will be used again. The day of free over the air TV is gone. Networks want their subscription revenue and customers will either have to work through third party distributors until the day we simply buy our channels directly, a la carte, one at a time, over the web, for viewing in our home and on our approved devices.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Will Fox and Time Warner Cable Make A Deal
New Year's Eve is here and tomorrow a new years starts. But for customers of Time Warner Cable, tomorrow may mean no Fox broadcast or its sister cable channels like FX and others. That is because their carriage agreement expires today and has yet to be renewed. And so customers of Time Warner Cable have a few choices: 1. Wait and eventually they will settle, but till then miss Fox programming, most likely this weekend's fare of Bowl and NFL Games. 2. Switch providers to Telco or Dish, still unlikely to get switched by tomorrow so still out of luck short term. 3. Buy a digital antennae and at least get access to Fox Broadcast. 4. Go to a friend's house or local bar with a different provider to at least watch the games. 5. Complain to the FCC and your Senators and Representatives.
Who is right in this squabble between two mega companies? Neither. Both live in a world with obscene profits and ultimately the customer is in the middle. Could Time Warner swallow the extra buck to carry Fox? Of course. Does Fox need the whole dollar as an increase; probably not. Is there a middle ground; yes, the question in this and every negotiation is who blinks first. And because neither side especially likes the other, that negative relationship plays an unfortunate part too.
And so it will play out all day and night, taking people away from their families and friends most likely till 12:01 AM. Happy New Year!
Who is right in this squabble between two mega companies? Neither. Both live in a world with obscene profits and ultimately the customer is in the middle. Could Time Warner swallow the extra buck to carry Fox? Of course. Does Fox need the whole dollar as an increase; probably not. Is there a middle ground; yes, the question in this and every negotiation is who blinks first. And because neither side especially likes the other, that negative relationship plays an unfortunate part too.
And so it will play out all day and night, taking people away from their families and friends most likely till 12:01 AM. Happy New Year!
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