subject: What Makes a Television "Hit?" [print this page] What Makes a Television "Hit?" What Makes a Television "Hit?"
Have you ever stopped to wonder what makes a "hit" television program? More than likely there are numerous programs that leave you asking, "How does this stay on the air?" The facts are that what makes a hit television show and what keeps people watching year after year is hard for even the experts who study television viewing habits carefully scratch their collective heads. Determining what television program will be a massive hit and what show will be yanked after one or two episodes is tricky business.
Not Every Show is for You!
Every year the television market is flooded with new offerings for television viewers. Those with Dish Network, for example, have a great quality in picture and sound to look forward to but not every show will be a winner. In part, this is largely due to personal preference. Even if every single new show was treated with great care, the odds are it wouldn't necessarily appeal to everyone.
Not the Greatest Life Expectancy
Most years, most shows don't last very long. As it turns out, a great many shows are even canceled after one or two episodes. Further, many people don't realize that many television shows never even air in the first place. The television graveyard is full of television pilots that were never seen by an audience. Shockingly, many of these pilots even had stars and famous television acting in the cast. Yet, this was just not enough to even get the show on the air!
Even the Experts are Confused
Making the situation even more confusing is the fact that there is more than a little bewilderment within the entertainment industry itself as to what will be a hit show. Shows that the "experts" are sure will be a hit are a complete failure and vice-versa. The simple truth is that determining a hit involves a surprisingly large number of factors ranging from chemistry of cast, right time slot, timely material, sharp writing and a host of other factors. Well, as the saying goes, "there is no business like show business."
