So, if TiVo and the rest DVR group manages to penetrate into the living room, what exactly is the point of the Networks (ABC, NBC, etc.) ? I understand the distribution mechanism, but by using TiVo I'll be able to essentially create my own network (with my choice of programming). This isn't really a new idea, I'm just publicly contemplating it.

Why does it matter that "24" is on at a certain time? To be honest, I don't even know what time it's on; I do know it airs on Tuesday evenings. TiVo just grabs 24 for me and my wife and I watch it at our convenience. Extrapolate that out and it doesn't matter what Network my programming airs on nor what time it airs.

Why can't I, as a producer, approach a sponsor and create my own programming? I can buy time fairly cheaply (relative to Prime Time commercial time) and air the programming in select markets. Yes, the programs would be sponsored, but hopefully I can do my job without insulting my audience.

I'd provide content the audience would enjoy and the sponsor(s) would have their logos/products displayed to their potential consumers.

Put another way...I'd produce "sponsored programming" (not an informercial!) and buy time on some no-name cable network at 3a. So long as I could get TiVo to find the program and relate it to other programs, it would be recorded for a target market.

For example: (Yes, it commercialized, but we're heading that way now anyway. I don't see a way out, other than HBO.)

• I'll produce a new cooking show about BBQ. Some BBQ grill company will sponsor the show, so the show can actually get made. Other minor sponsors, like a BBQ sauce company, would provide additional money in exchange for product placement/use.
• The program, done just like other cooking shows (minus the commercials), will air at 3a in the top 10 markets on cable station WXYZ.
• TiVo owners who happen to like cooking programs and accept "Recommendations" from TiVo would discover the program the next day in their list of shows on disk.

The BBQ grill company has reached it's target audience. The audience has received programming it prefers. Win/Win. Plus, the audience hasn't skipped the commercial, so the company's investment hasn't been lost.

Think of it like Amazon's and iTunes related links.

My partner and I have 37 shows in development. Of those, a good portion could be made in this manner. Cooking shows are the tip of the iceberg.

Do you, as a viewer, care that we use A1 Steak Sauce? Or Heinz 57? You're intelligent enough to know that the recipe calls for A1, but you can use something else...right?

Am I off the mark here?
3:09:26 PM  talkback:[]  #