DEBATE: When would you jettison ABC?

[Galahad]

If you were to replace ME (maybe we should do that thread again ;) ), how much longer would you try to make ABC work for DIS before you tried to unload it?

[KNWVIKING]

The network can be a great asset as long as you put shows on people want to watch. CBS,NBC,FOX and WB aren't in business to loose money, they are making money. ABC just needs to steal the right people and put out a better fall line-up.

[meowthew2]

Heard about ABC's latest move of getting HBO to make shows for them?

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/05/business/media/05HBO.html?ex=1029124800&en=8f05a6fb3e06a5a8&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA

[manning]

Last year!!!!!!!!!!!

[EUROPA]

Originally posted by meowthew2
Heard about ABC's latest move of getting HBO to make shows for them?

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/05/business/media/05HBO.html?ex=1029124800&en=8f05a6fb3e06a5a8&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA

Hey if they can't get the Job done better call in somebody that can. Some of the best shows on TV/cable right now are on HBO. It's sad but I watch more HBO then I do CBS/ABC/WB combined. NBC still has me for some of their shows. Heck I watch more TLC or the History channel then I do ABC.

[Galahad]

scoop,

I've noticed that too. I think Scrubs, which is very popular for NBC, is a Disney product. What goes into the decision about where to market a studio's shows? Other shows, like Fox's Dharma and Greg, were good shows that ABC just couldn't get to go. It does seem like something is fundamentally wrong there.

[Another Voice]

I’ve been trying to track down the involvement of Disney with ‘Scrubs’ and all I can see is that they are simply the distributor of the show. That’s much like the Bruckheimer produced ‘CSI’ shows, Disney’s involvement is more contractual than it’s creative or even financial. Most of the deals for network television are more complex than anything Enron, Global Crossing and Worldcom could dream up at their height, so figuring out who own which rights to which shows and for how much is all but impossible.

The shows that Disney produces and owns are on ABC. Well, they used to. Most of them were cancelled. And the word around town is that none of ABC’s new fall shows will last more than 12 episodes.

[raidermatt]

If you were to replace ME (maybe we should do that thread again ), how much longer would you try to make ABC work for DIS before you tried to unload it?

Assuming I had the talent/ability to run a network, or I had somebody on board who could, I'd be willing to keep it for another year at least. If the pipeline is still dry, it will take at least that long to make a dent.

However, as concern grows that the earnings are becoming less and less able to hold up the debt load, there may not be a choice but to find somebody willing to get a network from a motivated seller...

[DVC-Landbaron]

FOUL!!!!

Mr. manning used my answer!!!

;)