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/ 03.22.2010 12:00PM
Broadcast Nets Own 80 Percent of Prime-time Shows
WASHINGTON: The major broadcast networks produce about four-fifths
of the programming in prime time, according to the latest report from the
Government Accountability Office. That goes for broadcasting and basic cable, the GAO said.
“On the basis of GAO analysis of ownership in the 20 most widely distributed
basic cable networks, major broadcasters and companies affiliated with both
major broadcasters and cable operators have owned half or more of the top 20
cable networks for each year reviewed,” the report said. “Combining ownership
in both prime-time programming and basic cable networks, the major broadcasters
have controlled a significant share of television programming over the last
decade.”
The GAO analyzed data from the fall schedules of 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2009,
based on data provided by the FCC. The GAO found that in the fall of 2009, the
top five program producers in terms of prime-time hours were studios affiliated
with ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and Warner Bros. Together, the five produced 76 shows
comprising 82 percent of the prime-time schedule. Independent producers were
responsible for 11.
Those with a stake in programming “cited economic factors” with regard to the
availability and use of independent production. Indie producers said funding is
hard to come by.
“For example, one report estimated that major broadcasters spent about $120
million for
the 1997-98 season to
develop 49 drama pilots and used 14 in their schedules, of which one program
returned for a second season,” the report said. The cost of scripted material
can range from $21 million to $48 million for 21 episodes per season, with no
guarantee of a second season.
Regarding network ownership, broadcasters had stakes in 12 of the top 20 cable
networks--in terms of subscriber numbers--in 2004. That number declined to
eight by 2008. However, cable operators with no broadcast affiliation owned at
least two of the top 20 from 2004 through 2006, after which they owned none.
Independent cable networks said carriage on the big providers is also hard to
come by.
“By contrast, cable networks developed by cable operators or major broadcasters
are able to negotiate distribution of the network with video providers as part of an agreement for
distribution of an established affiliated network,” the report stated.
It cited a report that Fox News Network invested more than $150 million by the
time it launched in 1996, but was expected to lose $400 million in the first
five years of operation.
There’s also the issue of finite bandwidth. Basic cable networks now total more
than 75, and “might not be considered the most efficient use of cable
operators’ resources and capacity,” the report said. Providers can make more
money from providing broadband service with those bits.
Retransmission is another factor filling the cable pipe, the report said.
“Representatives of some video providers told us recently that this practice
also fills their systems’ capacity, leaving less capacity for independent cable
networks and making it difficult for independent cable networks to gain
carriage,” it said. “Television broadcast executives, on the other hand,
commented that negotiations in lieu of invoking the retransmission rule may be
necessary for them to be fully compensated for their content.”
The GAO noted that the FCC is looking into retrans rules; a solicitation for
comments on a related rulemaking was issued last week. (
See “FCC
Seeks Feedback on Retransmission Consent Rules.”)
The GAO’s report, which includes an analysis of radio programming, is available
here.
-- Deborah D. McAdams
(Image by RMIT Uni)
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