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[10/01/09 - 12:37 AM]
The 10 Things You Need to Know About the New Season: #4 - Genre Doesn't Matter Either
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC) |
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Please note: As a courtesy, please do not reproduce these comments to newsgroups, forums or other online places. Links only please.
Welcome once again to "The 10 Things You Need to Know About the New Season," our annual feature about, well... the 10 things you need to know about the new season. The goal of this venture is to address not only common questions people have about television but to also demystify (or potentially reaffirm) stigmas out there about certain networks, time periods, genres and so forth. So with that in mind let us put on our journalistic caps and give you the cold hard truth about what's potentially ahead for some of your favorite new and returning shows...
4. No major genre fares better than another.
Are audiences giving up on traditional multi-camera sitcoms in favor of single-camera ones? Do dramas fare better than their comedic brethren? Or do reality shows perform the best? The answer to all the above: no. The truth is scripted and unscripted shows more or less succeed and fail at the same rate. Sure there are some problematic genres (animation, improv and newsmagazine) but the most prolific categories (multi-camera comedies, single-camera comedies, dramas, reality competition shows and docusoaps) all stay fairly close to the average 31% survival rate of new shows. Take a look at each genre's success rate in the past 10 years:
| genre | abc | cbs | fox | nbc | upn | wb | cw | total |
comedy
(animated) | 0/1 (0%) | 0/1 (0%) | 1/2 (50%) | 0/3 (0%) | 0/2 (0%) | 1/3 (33%) | | 2/12 (17%) |
comedy
(improv/sketch) | 2/4 (50%) | | 0/6 (0%) | 1/6 (17%) | | 2/5 (40%) | | 5/21 (24%) |
comedy
(multi-camera) | 9/29 (31%) | 10/25 (40%) | 6/18 (33%) | 4/26 (15%) | 7/15 (47%) | 5/14 (36%) | 1/1 (100%) | 42/128 (33%) |
comedy
(single-camera) | 5/15 (33%) | 0/4 (0%) | 6/16 (38%) | 6/13 (46%) | 1/3 (33%) | 0/7 (0%) | 0/1 (0%) | 18/59 (31%) |
| drama | 17/58 (29%) | 24/52 (46%) | 12/46 (26%) | 16/52 (31%) | 3/16 (19%) | 10/24 (42%) | 3/9 (33%) | 85/257 (33%) |
| game show | 2/11 (18%) | 2/5 (40%) | 3/8 (38%) | 4/9 (44%) | | | | 11/33 (33%) |
| newsmagazine | 2/14 (14%) | | 1/2 (50%) | | | | 0/1 (0%) | 3/17 (18%) |
reality
(competition) | 8/22 (36%) | 5/13 (38%) | 6/27 (22%) | 11/37 (30%) | 1/7 (14%) | 3/10 (30%) | 1/5 (20%) | 35/121 (29%) |
reality
(documentary) | 4/18 (22%) | 0/4 (0%) | 5/16 (31%) | 3/6 (50%) | 0/5 (0%) | 3/4 (75%) | 0/3 (0%) | 15/56 (27%) |
| sports | 1/1 (100%) | | | 1/2 (50%) | | | | 2/3 (67%) |
| total | 50/173 (29%) | 41/104 (39%) | 40/141 (28%) | 46/154 (30%) | 12/48 (25%) | 24/67 (36%) | 5/20 (25%) | 218/707 (31%) |
Among the more interesting trends: CBS has kept 40% of its new multi-camera shows around for a second season but none of its single-camera shows; NBC conversely is batting 46% for its single-camera comedies while just 15% for multi-camera ones. By the same token CBS has had success with 38% of its reality competition shows but none at all with its docusoaps whereas FOX and NBC have seen more failures in the former genre. All in all, you definitely can get the sense of each network's brand from the above data.
TOMORROW: Are cable channels really more patient than the broadcast networks?
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[08/27/25 - 12:35 PM]
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 with PBS
On September 18, the second season premiere of Spanish-language series "Velvet" follows Alberto, who returns from his honeymoon to find a myriad of surprises.
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[08/27/25 - 12:02 PM]
Bravo Heads to Spain When "Below Deck Mediterranean" Returns for Its Milestone 10th Season Premiering Monday, Sept. 29 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Franchise favorites Capt. Sandy Yawn and Chief Stew Aesha Scott return to lead the ship alongside Nathan Gallagher, the season nine Deckhand upped to Bosun, and a familiar face from season eight, Deckhand Max Salvador.
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[08/27/25 - 10:03 AM]
It's Time to Play "Password," as NBC Renews Emmy Nominated Series for Third Season
Get ready for more outrageous clues, wild guesses and comedic moments as Keke Palmer returns as host alongside wordplay master Jimmy Fallon.
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[08/27/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: Trailer & Key Art Debut - Hulu Original "Andrew Santino: White Noise"
Andrew Santino's new hilarious Hulu stand up special "White Noise" will undoubtedly solve all the world's problems for eternity.
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[08/27/25 - 09:17 AM]
Pluto TV and CBS Partner to Stream Just-Concluded Full Seasons of Six Hit CBS Originals for Free Ahead of New Primetime Season
"Elsbeth," "Fire Country," "Ghosts," "Matlock," "NCIS: Origins," and "Watson" are the featured series.
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[08/27/25 - 09:06 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Sneak Peek Clip from "The Paper"
"The Paper" premieres with all 10 episodes on September 4.
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[08/27/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Larry the Cable Guy: It's a Gift" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
A gift with a side of gluttony. "Larry the Cable Guy: It's a Gift" arrives September 12.
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[08/27/25 - 08:50 AM]
NBC's "Sunday Night Football" & "Football Night in America" Kick Off 20th Season Next Thurs., Sept. 4 on NBC and Peacock
"Sunday Night Football" celebrates season 20 showcasing high-profile matchups featuring the NFL's biggest stars and best rivalries from NFL Kickoff next week to sports' biggest spectacle - Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.
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[08/27/25 - 08:19 AM]
Prime Video Reveals First-Look Images and Premiere Date for Harlan Coben's "Lazarus," Starring Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy
All six episodes will be released on Wednesday, October 22 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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[08/27/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "All of You" - Official Trailer - Apple TV+
Brett Goldstein and Imogen Poots challenge the notion of a soulmate in "All of You."
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[08/27/25 - 07:01 AM]
"Monster: The Ed Gein Story" Premieres October 3 on Netflix
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's groundbreaking anthology series returns with its third, most harrowing installment yet.
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[08/27/25 - 07:01 AM]
Season Three of ESPN Original Series "Eli's Places" Premieres Today, Exclusively on ESPN+
Produced by Omaha Productions and NFL Films, the 10-episode series follows Eli Manning as he takes on his own version of his brother's signature show to explore what makes college football a way of life across the country.
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[08/27/25 - 07:00 AM]
A Historic Concert from Vatican City, Co-Directed by Pharrell Williams and Maestro Andrea Bocelli, to Stream Live Exclusively on Disney+, Hulu, and ABC News Live September 13
The special includes live musical performances by Pharrell Williams with the Voices of Fire Gospel Choir, Maestro Andrea Bocelli, Karol G, John Legend, Clipse, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll, Angélique Kidjo, additional international choristers, and more.
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[08/27/25 - 06:31 AM]
Video: "The Guest" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A couple trying to save their marriage after an affair are thrown into turmoil when a mysterious woman from the wife's past shows up at their home.
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[08/27/25 - 06:27 AM]
ESPN and Cam Newton Agree to New Multi-Year Deal
ESPN has reached a new multi-year agreement with former NFL MVP Cam Newton, who will expand his role on "First Take," ESPN's signature morning debate show.
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