Around the Net

Basic Cable Is Changing The Way TV Is Made

Hidden in the higher reaches of the TV remote, prime-time cable series like "Drop Dead Diva," "Army Wives" and "Sons of Anarchy" are reinventing the way TV is made. For years, the few original scripted shows on basic cable were considered the industry's minor leagues. Now, as the media landscape changes and viewers flock to shows they like wherever they air, the basic cable universe keeps expanding, attracting better talent and growing in vibrancy.

Once the province of reruns and sports, basic-cable networks will spend an estimated $23 billion on 1,462 original programs (including reality shows and specials), compared with $14 billion on 863 shows in 2005, research firm SNL Kagan reports. With no expensive pilots, few Hollywood sound stages (they often shoot in regional locations), no affiliated local stations to placate, and very little corporate feedback, these shows operate in a parallel universe. They're a safe haven for those weary of the broadcast model, which hasn't changed much since the 1960s.

advertisement

advertisement

Read the whole story at The Wall Street Journal »

Next story loading loading..