Reality TV > Despite what you may have heard, MORE reality TV coming
May 9, 2007
ABC has nine. CBS has at least five. NBC, CW, Fox...they've all got them too. They're new reality shows, and they're coming, coming coming. As USA Today points out, the shows are inexpensive and garner bigger ratings than scripted series. The top two shows this season are "American Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars."
Though there was much talk of scripted series having a surge since shows like "House," "Heroes" and "Grey's Anatomy" have been doing so well, for every "House," there's a "Gilmore Girls," which had to be canceled despite decent ratings and critical success because the cost of the show didn't justify its returns.
There's little doubt the best scripted series is better than the best reality series, but when we're talking middle of the road shows, a reality series just makes sense. It is show BUSINESS after all.
The two places where scripted shows still do better are in reruns and in DVD sales, so don't expect them all to disappear just yet.
