shiloh
Radix lecti
Registered: Oct 2001
Location: City of Angels
Posts: 1953 |
What it has to do with ratings:
Remember, "logic" is not high on the list of job requirements for network execs.
In the US, the new seasons start on the broadcast channels in September (generally). November is whats called "sweeps". During November, the ratings are calculated, and the advertising prices for all the shows are decided for the next 4 months, based on the ratings.
So, all the networks trot out all their fanciest specials. The tv series put on their "special" episodes (like Buffy's "All Musical" is November 6). The best movies get run, all in an attempt to woo viewers and get higher ratings, so the network can sell ad time at a higher rate.
Cable channels such as Showtime and SciFi aren't included in sweeps. But, they get left in the dust since all the special and stuff pull viewers away. So rather than dump the new episodes of a show like Stargate, they play re-runs, essentially conceeding the field of play to the networks.
Then comes December, Xmas time, when people are generally either a) shopping, b) throwing or having holiday parties, or c) watching holiday specials on TV, and the same logic applies. So generally during december most tv series, including networks, go on reruns.
Another factor is that a show like stargate has 22 episodes. Even if each show is re-run once, 22 x 2 = 44, so that still leaves 8 weeks. Rather than have all the re-runs at the end of the year (January through june in the case of Stargate since it starts in July rather than August) , by going on reruns for 12 weeks they have new episodes playing later into the year.
I know. Way more information that you ever wanted to know, right?
Like Indy said, the US is ahead half the year, then the UK is ahead the rest.
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10-22-2001 08:55 PM
