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.
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