As I've written on several previous occasions, not being able to promote a show to the largest chunk of available (and prime) prospects -- namely, those watching compatible programming on other broadcast networks -- remains an impediment to any network's airing a successful new show that doesn't fit in with the rest of that network's lineup.

Since the advent of DVRs, there has been virtually no research (made public) on the "value" of original scripted series versus off-network repeats. This is not surprising ,since the broadcast networks don't want to highlight the key weakness of their higher-rated series (less live viewing, greater commercial avoidance), while many cable networks that air both, don't want to play one against the other.

In the 1960s, Marshall McLuhan dubbed the new electronic media world of television a "global village." For the first time, people at opposite ends of the country were able to simultaneously see and hear live events as they were happening. Fifty years later, people can still get the same information at the same time, but they no longer have to access it at the same time, on the same platform, or even on the same device. Over the past five decades, television has undergone several fundamental changes, affecting not only what is available to view, but also when, where, and …

Generations are ordinarily thought of in 18-year increments. Baby Boomers, for example, were born between 1946 and 1964, and generally have similar media habits. Most people in previous generations had similar access to the same distribution system, channels, programs, and devices. However, we are now living in a media world where everyone doesn't get everything anymore. The home VCR was the fastest-growing electronic device since the advent of television. Not so the DVR. Age groups are no longer as cohesive as they once were based on where, when, or how they can watch video content. As more change occurs, the …