Miniver Cheevy

Via Warren Ellis, who editorializes ...

it’s apparently too hard for a monstrously rich tv company to generate five decent tv shows to counterprogram against the likes of WHO WANTS TO BE DONALD TRUMP’S SUCKFISH or something

... I learn that the signs are clear that the media models of the 20^th century are as dead as if they had received the kiss from Don Corleone.

NBC Universal plans to cut US$750 million in operating expenses by the end of 2007 by eliminating employees, cutting back on scripted shows, and slashing its news budget, according to a report Thursday in the Wall Street Journal. The moves come as more and more viewers and advertisers gravitate toward new media, NBC Universal chairman Bob Wright told the newspaper.
....
NBC Universal said it will stop scheduling high-priced dramas and comedies during the 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. slot. Jeff Zucker, chief executive of NBC Universal's television group, said he'll focus on cheaper programming. Zucker told the newspaper that scripted shows cost too much given the lack of advertiser interest.

There's a part of me that now savours big-budget Hollywood films, even dumb ones, just because I know that there aren't many of them left to be made.

Labels: cinema, storytelling