Support for LAist comes from
Become a sponsor
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Donate
Stay Connected

LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network.

Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen
Donate
Podcasts Take Two
Are low ratings the new norm for network TV shows?
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Take Two Logo
Oct 31, 2012
Listen • 9:35
Are low ratings the new norm for network TV shows?
It used to be that if a sitcom or drama didn't score high ratings with viewers it would be axed. But now, with plummeting viewership, television networks are more likely to hold onto and reinvent shows that are quite cutting the mustard.
Image from the NBC series "Up All Night" starring Christina Applegate as Reagan, Maya Rudolph as Ava.
Image from the NBC series "Up All Night" starring Christina Applegate as Reagan, Maya Rudolph as Ava.
(
Colleen Hayes/NBC
)

It used to be that if a sitcom or drama didn't score high ratings with viewers it would be axed. But now, with plummeting viewership, television networks are more likely to hold onto and reinvent shows that are quite cutting the mustard.

It used to be that if a sitcom or drama didn't score high ratings with viewers it would be axed. But now, with plummeting viewership, television networks are more likely to hold onto and reinvent shows that are quite cutting the mustard.

This week, NBC has announced some big changes for its TV lineup: Its hit show "Smash" will return for a second season in early February,  "Community" will take up the Thursday night slot left open by "30 Rock" when its current season ends, and the Christina Applegate-Will Arnett show "Up All Night" will be reworked as a multi-camera sitcom shot in front of a live audience. 

These are just some of the maneuvers the networks are employing in the midst of a fall season that could best be described as dismal. For more on this, we're joined by Brian Lowry, chief TV critic with Variety.