24: Live Another Day Episode 8 Ratings

I agree. Live ratings can’t be the only thing that matters. I hope not anyways

I know the FOX TV network is the main financier of the show. But, the show sells really well internationally. 20th TV has to be making boat loads of money. I believe its one of the marquee shows right now on Sky 1 in England.

The fact is cable TV will soon be made primarily of reality shows and documentaries. You won’t see too any dramas on cable TV in the near future. Shows like 24 will end up being viewed digitally like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu exclusive shows. People are getting fed up with investing in dramas that have a story arc, because if no one else watches these shows, the networks cancel them, and these people end up being skeptical of future investment in those type of shows. I gave up cable years ago, my primary viewing habits are on these paid services like Netflix. And with services like Hulu, I just have to wait a day to watch an episode that was previously aired. It also allows me the luxury of determining if I want to invest in a show if it ends up being cancelled after a season. With “binge” watching, its like watching a 13 hour movie over several weeks (or days, depending on your viewing habits).

I doubt networks like FOX rely that heavily on ratings anymore. I’m sure the suits that determine the fate of these shows know that cable TV is losing its ground in the living room to services. I see more and more cancelled shows being picked up by these services, which means the audience is there, just not viewing the same way that we have been in the past. Seems like everyone I know no longer has cable, but watching shows on their computers, tablets, and game consoles. Most networks are addressing this by providing their shows digitally and joining in to the changing times. On my console I watch the show ‘Arrow’ through the CW app installed on it. With the new Xbox, one of the most sought after app is HBO GO. Why would anyone care for this if they are watching HBO live through their cable? It tells me (and I’m sure the powers that be in network television) that viewers respond more when they can set their own schedule on when to watch TV shows.

And let’s not forget that these shows are also downloadable via torrents not too long after a show has aired. You not only get to watch an HD copy of the show you like (especially tempting to those that can’t afford HD cable), but without the commercials as well.

Cable TV is becoming less and less relevant as we move forward with technology. I can’t imagine the networks ignoring this in lieu of Nielsen ratings. Cable TV requires the viewer to be committed to sit in front of their TV at a certain time on a certain day of the week to watch the show they want to watch. Nowadays that’s asking a lot. With the advent of digital streaming, viewers are able to view their shows on their own schedule, not the schedule dictated by a network. So what does this mean for 24? Because of these other various ways of viewing, I’m sure these networks are also polling torrent sites on download counts, and Hulu on view counts. If they don’t renew 24 for another season, it’ll mean the show wasn’t appealing to viewers on cable TV. But it would also make it prime for Netflix or Hulu to pick up to continue.