• The New York Times, Tuesday, May 13, 2008 10:15 AM

Each of the major broadcast networks, except for Fox, has seen its audience shrink this season, mainly because of a sharp increase in time-shifting. People are watching shows when they want to, thanks to TiVos, streaming video online and cable video on demand. The linear broadcasts favored by advertisers are in decline.

Accenture consultant David Wolf says that prime-time TV might become a television relic. "The days of the 'lineup' are numbered," he warns. But the change also means that powerhouse shows can be scheduled at the same time with little damage to any of them. As a result of the growing irrelevance of prime time, "the biggest shows are getting bigger and some smaller shows are getting negatively impacted," says a senior TV exec.

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