|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Experts Pick Hits & Misses of New TV Season
No clear blockbuster hit emerge as networks still recover from writer's strike;
Only 13 new shows on tap, compared to 26 last year
NEW YORK, Sept.__, 2008 -- The broadcast networks' new fall season may lack any clear breakout hits, say the experts at TargetCast tcm, a leading independent media buying agency. Trying to recover from a season that was cut short by the writer's strike and reduced pilot development, the networks are introducing fewer new shows this season — 13 compared with 26 a year ago.
Gary Carr, Senior Vice President and Director of Broadcast Services at TargetCast tcm thinks that CBS seems to have the most promising crop of new shows.
TargetCast tcm predicts that "Eleventh Hour," a new Jerry Bruckheimer procedural crime drama (Thursday at 10), looks like a winner for CBS. CBS also has two new comedies with potential, "Worst Week" (Monday at 9:30) and a still unnamed show tentatively being called "Gary Unmarried" (Wednesday at 8:30), although buyers think it might do better in the network's Monday lineup.
Also on CBS, the procedural drama "The Mentalist" staring Simon Baker (Tuesday at 9) should do well, sandwiched between two other popular procedurals, "NCIS" and "Without a Trace." The drawing power of Simon Baker should also help the new series.
ABC is relying heavily on returning shows, with only two new shows in its fall lineup. "Life on Mars" (Thursday at 10) could be a winner, especially since it is up against weaker shows in the time slot. "Opportunity Knocks" (Tuesday at 8), a reality show, will have a tough time against popular returning shows including "NCIS," "House" and "The Biggest Loser." "Opportunity Knocks" is so bizarre and outrageous, that it just might catch on with viewers," said Steve Farella President and CEO of TargetCast tcm.
"NBC is trying a lot of new things which," Farella said, "could send it off the deep end". "Crusoe" (Friday at 8) and "Merlin" (Sunday at 9 after the NFL game) is risky, he said, because period pieces have generally not done well on television. The Peacock Network has high hopes with star Christian Slater in "My Own Worst Enemy" (Monday at 10), but it may not be strong enough to draw viewers away from hits "Boston Legal" and "CSI Miami."
Little is known about the much talked-about spinoff of "The Office" (Thursday at 9:30), produced by "Saturday Night Live's" Lorne Michaels. Another new NBC comedy, "Kath & Kim" (Tuesday at 9:30) with Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, might do well in its adaptation from the hit show on Australian TV, but it faces uncertain competition from "The Mentalist" on CBS, "Fringe" on FOX, and "Dancing with the Stars" on ABC.
FOX has high hopes for the paranormal "Fringe", a cross between "Lost" and "The X-Files" which follows "House". TargetCast tcm sees it as a possible hit. The only other new show on FOX, "Do Not Disturb" (Wednesday at 9:30) will likely die a slow death, say the media experts.
On the CW, the revival of "90210" (Tuesday at 8) will draw a very young female audience, but don't be surprised if a lot of 30-somethings tune in to see if the new version is as good as the original.
"We are facing an unusual new season," said Farella. "Many shows that began last season never had the chance to fully develop before the strike shut the season down. These returning programs may have to attract and build a following as if they were new shows, throwing the fall schedule into question."
TargetCast tcm with a staff of 70, serves a diverse range of strong independent brands including Wyeth, 1-800-flowers.com, TIAA-CREF, Gorton's, hotels.com, Expedia.com, and Sidney Frank Importing Co. The agency, founded six years ago by media veterans Steve Farella and Audrey Siegel, was named last year to the Inc 500 list of fastest-growing private companies.
* * *
|
