Summary
Must See TV? Sounds somewhat familiar, but more a memory than reality. Less is more in a fragmented TV universe.
Analysis
Everyone seems to have an impassioned position on the Leno move. Even the TV Programming folks are a little concerned as it signals a change in scripted programming.
In fairness Leno should be given a chance, it's not his first day at the rodeo, he's a known commodity, one that has produced handsome profits for NBC. Of course the ratings will be lower but from a financial standpoint there's more upside than many are willing to give it. We've come a long way since late News on O & O's were a license to print money, otherwise why would NBC be willing to part with stations in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and Hartford DMA's. No doubt some affiliates will feel a falloff in audience flow to their Late News, let's hope they can be somewhat creative and leverage Leno through cross channel promotions.
The new media landscape, with all it's fragmentation is not going away. While hard to envision, 10:00PM on NBC now has the potential of delivering "unthinkable" cable TV ratings, but business is business.
