Innovations, er, "Innovations" from broadcast networks -- FOX

Curious to what this all means? Read my introduction to this multi-post series.

My goodness, epic apologies are in order. I remember (barely) when I started this project and hoped to run through the past five years of development for the four major broadcast networks in less than a week. Well, here we are nearly a month later and I'm still only halfway through. This is what happens when you're a graduating senior working two jobs and trying to organize plans for fall. Stupid life.

Anyway, let's get back to it with FOX.

Like CBS, we tend to think FOX has had a good run since 2005. Did I find that to be the case?

Hulu attempts to monetize -- My reaction

The time has finally come.

This week, Hulu brass announced their intentions to start charging for certain bundles of content.

DirecTV to save 'Damages?'

Rumors abound that Sony, producers of Damages, is looking to DirecTV for help in paying for a fourth season.

Not to be a contrarian here, but is this really necessary?

Innovations, er, "Innovations" from broadcast networks -- An introduction

Though I have been using it for more, this blog was primarily constituted for a course about the changes in what we refer to as "television." Along with this blog, I am also working on a presentation/paper about the content and format innovations from "traditional" (read: broadcast) networks in this dynamic time.

Over the past few weeks, I've been doing some fairly in-depth research into not only what series the four majors -- ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC -- have aired, but also what "kind" of series. Thanks to The Futon Critic's fantastic DevWatch and ShowWatch archives, I was able to go back five years to the 2005-2006 television season and determine every single series the broadcast networks have aired. From there, I researched each series to determine both the format and the "type" of characters the series (if scripted) showcased. After hours upon hours of scrolling, reading and entering into a five-tabbed, color-coded Excel sheet, I am both surprised and not surprised at what I found. Thus, I thought it would be nice to share some of my findings in this space with anyone who wants to read them.

But first, let me clarify a few of the statements or choices I mentioned above as a way to introduce the posts I'll be writing in the next week or so about each network, because I know you're asking the following questions. I'll ask them for you.

Broadcast networks and miniseries -- Will it ever happen again?

Well, I guess that headline is partially dumb and misleading, because obviously the major broadcast networks will air a miniseries at least one more time in the future. I think.

But what I meant by that headline is can the broadcast networks actually air a quality miniseries?

Watching TV on the Internet -- Only on the Internet

As someone who watches a lot of television on my laptop, I have spent time wondering if I really needed to cable television. Those moments of reflection usually come when my damn Comcast bill arrives in the mail each month.

This week, the New York Times profiled some folks who have more willpower than I and thus risen up against their cable providers.

Twitter and TV viewing: Pay attention to me!

In the last week, a couple of stories have been written about the growing use of Twitter during live television events and the interactive culture created by it.

So obviously, people have taken to Twitter to talking about, which allowed me to find the articles.

Streaming video news part three: iTunes episodes for 99 cents?

There have been a few interesting developments in streaming video this week, all of which should have long-term implications for the television industry. I'm hoping to write about all three over the next day or so. Click here to see my thoughts on Hulu to the iPad and HBO's GO. 


Though this news item isn't quite "streaming video" specifically, it's still important to discuss. Rumors are swirling that CBS might start selling episodes of its television series on iTunes for only 99 cents. 

Streaming video news part two: HBO GO goes live, frustrates consumers

 There have been a few interesting developments in streaming video this week, all of which should have long-term implications for the television industry. I'm hoping to write about all three over the next day or so. Click here to see my thoughts on Hulu to the iPad.

You know how it sucks that it takes HBO programming forever to hit iTunes, DVD sheleves and Netflix? The cable giant has debuted a new online streaming service that might make that frustration go away.

Might.

Streaming video news part one: Hulu to the iPad?

There have been a few interesting developments in streaming video this week, all of which should have long-term implications for the television industry. I'm hoping to write about all three over the next day or so.

First up: Rumors are swirling that Hulu could come to the iPad. But will we have to pay?

The dead-end "dead" serial discussion: It's not happening

I've talked a lot about serialized television lately, and it seems like a lot of TV critics and scholars have the same thing on their mind with Lost coming to an end.

In the past few weeks, a slew of articles and columns have hit the web about the topic, with some writing the serials eulogy.

Simply put: Those people are wrong.