Endemol looks to profit from writers' strike

[Bob Juch]

A prolonged U.S. writers’ strike will benefit European entertainment production giant Endemol.

Speaking at the European Media Leaders Summit Tuesday, Endemol CEO Aat Schouwenaar predicted that U.S. networks would order extra episodes of non-scripted fare if the strike lasts.

He said: “It gives us more opportunities because these time slots are now available.

“They are doing lots of re-runs at the moment but at a certain time they will finish and if the strike continues for a couple of months it will definitely have a positive impact on our numbers because they will need more episodes of things like ‘Deal or No Deal.’”

Full story:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111797 ... 1&nid=3078

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

We are all hoping that their show "Generation Gap" gets on the air.

[mrkelley23]

I really think TPTB are making a major miscalculation here. I think they're thinking they can eventually sway public opinion to their side. That's the only strategy I can see for management allowing a major strike to go forward.

See, if teachers go on strike, there's a certain percentage of the population (myself included) who don't like it, for one reason or another. They may support the teachers in their negotiation, but the bottom line is that the strike is illegal and counterproductive.

But here the writers go on strike, it's not illegal, and the initial public opinion is with them. As the strike wears on, public opinion is not going to shift over to the producers and money people. People will get mad, but they'll just get mad at "the TV biz." Writers will always find work, but if people get pissed off enough at TV, they just turn off the TV (Heaven forfend!).

I think TPTB think that people will direct their anger at the writers, and that's just not going to be the case. Settle it now, get something that you can hang your hat on, and write off what you can. Cause the longer this goes, the more of your own profits you're draining off.

At the risk of offending Bob and otehrs who may be participating, I liken this strike to a garbage strike in NYC. The longer it goes, the more it will stink, and the more people will get pissed off. But have you ever heard of someone taking out their anger on a garbage man? No, they just vote out the politicians at the next election, if it goes on too long.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

If the strike goes on long enough, I think that it may cause the end of Daytime Soaps. The amount of people that watch soaps has been shrinking each year and once new episodes stop, many fans will no doubt lose the habit.

I watched all three of the ABC soaps, a habit I started with my Grandma, until the OJ trial, when they were constantly being pre-empted, and I realized that I could do without them. Until this summer, I had still been following one soap, but I was able to quit during our last vacation.

[mrkelley23]

I think soaps are gone off network TV soon, anyway.

NBC has already announced that "Days of our Lives" will not be broadcast on NBC after about 2009. I think these shows will find specialized audiences, perhaps on a PPV channel, but their days on the "major" networks are limited.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I think soaps are gone off network TV soon, anyway.

NBC has already announced that "Days of our Lives" will not be broadcast on NBC after about 2009. I think these shows will find specialized audiences, perhaps on a PPV channel, but their days on the "major" networks are limited.

It's a shame that they will be gone. One of my fondest memories was going to my Grandmother's houseboat during the summer and watching soaps with her. (We also watched Regis on AM LA, she used to talk about how cute he was...) I have never watched soaps with my girls.

[MarleysGh0st]

At the risk of offending Bob and otehrs who may be participating, I liken this strike to a garbage strike in NYC. The longer it goes, the more it will stink, and the more people will get pissed off. But have you ever heard of someone taking out their anger on a garbage man? No, they just vote out the politicians at the next election, if it goes on too long.

I hardly think this strike compares with shutting down an essential public service. Fans may get somewhat upset when their favorite shows stop airing, but ratings have been going down for network TV for a long time now. There are other entertainment options.

[earendel]

A prolonged U.S. writers’ strike will benefit European entertainment production giant Endemol.

Speaking at the European Media Leaders Summit Tuesday, Endemol CEO Aat Schouwenaar predicted that U.S. networks would order extra episodes of non-scripted fare if the strike lasts.

He said: “It gives us more opportunities because these time slots are now available.

“They are doing lots of re-runs at the moment but at a certain time they will finish and if the strike continues for a couple of months it will definitely have a positive impact on our numbers because they will need more episodes of things like ‘Deal or No Deal.’”

Or maybe SuperBAM???

[Bob Juch]

A prolonged U.S. writers’ strike will benefit European entertainment production giant Endemol.

Speaking at the European Media Leaders Summit Tuesday, Endemol CEO Aat Schouwenaar predicted that U.S. networks would order extra episodes of non-scripted fare if the strike lasts.

He said: “It gives us more opportunities because these time slots are now available.

“They are doing lots of re-runs at the moment but at a certain time they will finish and if the strike continues for a couple of months it will definitely have a positive impact on our numbers because they will need more episodes of things like ‘Deal or No Deal.’”

Or maybe SuperBAM???

Nope, BAM writers are WGAe members.

[goongas]

Davies could hire non union freelance writers I think if he wanted to. Davies does not have a permanent writing staff for BAM, like Jeopardy! does. Davies rehires whomever he wishes every season, if my understanding is correct.

Duel, airing in December, is using non-union writers I imagine.

[Bob Juch]

Davies could hire non union freelance writers I think if he wanted to. Davies does not have a permanent writing staff for BAM, like Jeopardy! does. Davies rehires whomever he wishes every season, if my understanding is correct.

Duel, airing in December, is using non-union writers I imagine.

I expect the union crew would refuse to cross the picket line.

[silverscreenselect]

As last summer proved, putting a lot of reality and game shows on the air does not mean that lots of people will watch them.

The producers miscalculated how quickly and effectively that the writers would be able to shut down production on popular shows. Essentially, December will be all reruns and specials, while January's schedule will be a smattering of holdover episodes, short run replacement series (the new Terminator series seems the most promising) and the expected glut of reality. Some of the shows that have a few episodes left are ratings disappointments like Cane, Journeyman, and Big Shots, which already would have cancelled in any other season.

The last strike was twenty years ago, and the writers essentially gave in then, in part because they couldn't calculate the full potential for auxiliary video and other ancillary rights. They aren't making the same mistake this time and the producers know it. Plus, many of the TV shows are being produced by writers and former writers, who, along with the actors, are quite sympathetic towards the striker. There are also far more alternative forms of entertainment available today including lots of other TV channels, so the public isn't all that upset about not getting to see their favorite shows. In addition, producers face the loss of revenue if the strike cancels the rest of the season and they can't sell as many DVD's of this season's TV series.

Soap operas will take a hit in a month or so when they run out of the stockpiled episodes. However, the fan base for soaps, although small, is very loyal and will probably return.

I have heard that the producers have signalled a willingness to talk seriously this time. It that's the case, we could see a settlement reached in a week or two with production resuming at the start of the year. That could result in essentially a split season, with heavy original programming in March, April and May as the series complete their complement of episodes for the season.

[thguy65]

We are all hoping that their show "Generation Gap" gets on the air.

It looks like more casting is underway. Emma's performance may have convinced them to lower the age requirements on the kids.

[MarleysGh0st]

We are all hoping that their show "Generation Gap" gets on the air.

It looks like more casting is underway. Emma's performance may have convinced them to lower the age requirements on the kids.

Outstanding!

Way to go, Emma!!!

It's time we saw the entire Suchard family in action at once!

[MarleysGh0st]

It looks like more casting is underway.

From that casting call:

WE’RE LOOKING FOR FAMILIES CONSISTING OF TWO ADULTS, AND TWO CHILDREN ( RANGING FROM AGES 8-18 ) WHO OWN THEIR OWN HOME.

Now that could be a problem. I don't know any children ages 8-18 who own their own home.

[earendel]

It looks like more casting is underway.

From that casting call:

WE’RE LOOKING FOR FAMILIES CONSISTING OF TWO ADULTS, AND TWO CHILDREN ( RANGING FROM AGES 8-18 ) WHO OWN THEIR OWN HOME.

Now that could be a problem. I don't know any children ages 8-18 who own their own home.

Good point, Marley.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

We are all hoping that their show "Generation Gap" gets on the air.

It looks like more casting is underway. Emma's performance may have convinced them to lower the age requirements on the kids.

The prize structure is a lot different from what we tested.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

I wrote to the show and they wrote back to me this morning. Two families compete against each other and it is for "amazing furniture."

It's definitely a different show from "Generation Gap."

They sent an appliciation form, but I don't think that I am going to fill it out. I have furniture and I don't want to waste our eligibility.

[MarleysGh0st]

It's definitely a different show from "Generation Gap."

Rats!

Here's hoping Generation Gap gets on the air and they've adjusted their age brackets, anyway.



A show that only gives away furniture--and only to folks who own their own homes--seems oddly limited.

[PlacentiaSoccerMom]

It's definitely a different show from "Generation Gap."

Rats!

Here's hoping Generation Gap gets on the air and they've adjusted their age brackets, anyway.



A show that only gives away furniture--and only to folks who own their own homes--seems oddly limited.

Yes. Most people who own homes have furniture. Sure, we didn't have living room furniture when we moved in, but after a few years we got it.

[earendel]

Yes. Most people who own homes have furniture. Sure, we didn't have living room furniture when we moved in, but after a few years we got it.

When elwing and I married we "inherited" some used furniture from her parents (they had some rental houses and had acquired various pieces over the years). When we felt financially able, we went out and bought our own - it was white PVC tubing with leatherette connectors to make chairs, a couch, a magazine rack, a coffee table (hard plastic for the top). It wasn't much, but it was "ours". Our oldest son loved it; he could take off the top of the coffee table and imitate the gymnasts he saw while we watched the 1976 Summer Olympics.