What's Happening to Television?

Source: Google graphics

Television, the equipment, television programming and viewership have all changed dramatically over the past 58 years in Canada and the US. Television was introduced to Canadian audiences in 1952-the CBC was Canada's first broadcaster. At that time there were 85,000 television sets in Canada; in 2010 that number is 21,500,000 (ref: pressreference.com). The number of broadcast channels available today is limitless and most host programs 24/7/365 days a year.

Today, I read in 24 Hours that 70% of Americans (by extension Canadians) still watch their favourite television shows at the time they are broadcast and only 16% record them to watch later. Nearly 80% of viewers over 45 years old watch TV traditionally that figure falls to 56% for people under 45. Nearly 9% watch TV shows online (Source: Marist College phone poll of 1,005 people).

There are so many choices available both in channels and how we watch television. I watch a lot of online content, nearly half of my television viewing is done online. However, my overall television viewing has significantly decreased (8 shows a week), whether that is due to content or me getting older or a combination thereof - before I commit a half hour or an hour to watching anything, it better be worth my time. My television of choice are such shows as "Mad Men", "Boardwalk Empire", "TrueBlood" and "Glee". Of course, there are my 'guilty pleasures' such as "The Vampire Diaries" and "Life Unexpected". The other two shows I watch are "House" and "Fringe".

CNN posted an article lamenting the fact that the 2010 fall television season is rather lacking in breakout hits and has suffered three cancellations already, one of which was "Lone Star" a show I really liked and I am still hoping that AMC, HBO or another cable channel will resurrect. The viewership for these cancelled shows is equal to a "Mad Men" audience (3 to 4 million); network television demands higher viewership -ie- advertising placements.

Some have said that audiences get the shows they deserve, however, networks are also less likely to support a low-performing show as they did in the 1980's when "Cheers" debuted to low ratings and would have been cancelled in its first season had it aired in 2010. There is still a place for quality programming on network television, which is supported by the success of shows such as "Glee", "The Good Wife" and "House".