A new trend in TV viewing and network programming is currently begging the question: are American audiences getting smarter…or simply more impatient?
A study released Tuesday by the Partnership for Trust in Government suggests both TV studios and viewers are experiencing a growing fascination with politics, as indicated by the steadfast success of shows like NBC’s The West Wing. According to Variety, the study examined episodes from all 122 fictional prime time series airing from 1998 through 2001, finding that politicians have become the most glamorized characters on TV.
TV studios have become enamored with what the report calls “the West Wing phenomenon”–a movement that has shifted “the profile of a group that is poorly represented in prime time.” This trend could certainly continue if such shows as Wing, Spin City and JAG remain strong in the ratings.
But is the trend indicative of the “smarting up” of American audiences?
Hilary Smith of NBC Media Relations tells Hollywood.com that increasingly impatient audiences are simply gravitating to programs that cover timely current events, like Wing–not rehashed political rhetoric–and they’re willing to watch if the quality is high.
“Shows that are able to turn current-event stories around so quickly are at a distinct advantage,” she explained. “Audiences want two things: shows that are grounded in truth, and shows about issues affecting them now, not years ago–like the O.J. trial. A ‘movie of the week’ about O.J. simply wouldn’t interest viewers today.”
Smith cited a recent trend in the ratings of Dateline as a telling indicator of viewers’ attention spans, saying two-hour made-for-TV films are losing out to the shorter, more timely one-hour docu-dramas aired on Dateline.
“The one-hour format is receiving a surge in ratings,” she said. “They’re doing much better now.”
Regardless, several new political-genre shows are debuting this fall on the major networks. ABC will unveil Alias, centering on activities within the CIA; NBC will premiere UC: Undercover, about the U.S. Justice Department; and CBS will counter with Citizen Baines, about a retired U.S. senator.
