Network has pumped up primetime ratings with reality

[isilzha]

For Food Network,
adding to the stew

Network has pumped up primetime ratings with reality

By Kevin Downey
Apr 24, 2008


With cable upfront presentations kicking off this month, Media Life will carry a series of network profiles with information important to media buyers and planners heading into negotiations. This is the 11th in the series. Previous articles can be found in the Cable Department.

In the early part of this decade, the Food Network happened on what might have seemed the least-likely show to connect with American viewers, "Iron Chef," imported from Japan, in Japanese.

But it turned out to be such a hit with foodies that the network began revamping its lineup, moving away from its staple of how-to shows like “Emeril Live” in favor of reality shows like “Iron Chef America” and “Food Network Challenge.”
Ratings soared, and that process continues, with yet more reality slotted for primetime and even fewer how-to shows. Even “Emeril" is being phased out.

Where Food Network needs help is in daytime, where its ratings are up far less than in primetime, and it's now moving to freshen up its daytime lineup with more cooking personalities like Giada De Laurentiis of “Everyday Italian” and Paula Deen of “Paula’s Home Cooking” to boost ratings.

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[bluejeanz]

I'm curious. Do they take into consideration all the daytime shows that a family either records on DVR/TiVO or tape? I don't know how that works but I was always under the impression that they could keep track of that as well. Even though I'm home during the day, I'd still rather record a program on my DVR than watch it live so I can FF through everything that holds no interest and I can be done with it quickly, drastically cutting down my viewing time. For example, I can normally watch a one-hour Y&R ep in 15-25 minutes, depending on the content, LOL.

[BerryBaby]

If they would stop running so many reruns, maybe more would watch during the day. How many times do you have to see shows that were taped in 2005?

[bluejeanz]

I do enjoy the old hair styles and clothes from the old shows, though, lol.


I think they should have a weekly one-hour series where they'd show eps from old series from the early years. They could see what kind of feedback they'd get and give us a new show on the same premise. The original "How to Boil Water" with Sean Donellan (sp) was nothing like any of the suceeding reformatted ones they threw at us.