ABC, CBS, FOX & NBC Have Lost More Than 77% Of Their Market Share

[NWI_Irish96]

No one has yet mentioned that most of the comedy and drama content on the normal broadcast channels is so hokey and formulaic that it's unwatchable.

They basically replaced the evening lineups with only slightly less dramatic soap operas.

I haven't watched a sitcom since Friends, but I still watch current network dramas Chicago Med and L&O SVU. Also watched recent network dramas L&O Organized Crime, Manifest, Designated Survivor.

[Rothman]

I recently plowed through The Blacklist, which my wife and I gave up upon after two or three seasons.  And yet, it lingered, despite its mediocrity (plot holes, disappointing reveals, bad dialogue/irrational decision-making...)

The fact a network was willing to fund that show for ten seasons was evidence to me that a lot of people (probably skewing older) just keep the TV on in another room as background noise (never understood why people do that...despite some of my close relatives doing so...)

[Max Rockatansky]

Sometimes I'll beat Jessica home from work.  I generally am not fast to turn the TV unless there is something I'm actively looking to watch.  If I happen to be in the living room when she walks in the first thing she'll ask is why the TV isn't on.  She really digs the background noise and often has formulaic sitcoms on. 

[formulanone]

The fact a network was willing to fund that show for ten seasons was evidence to me that a lot of people (probably skewing older) just keep the TV on in another room as background noise (never understood why people do that...despite some of my close relatives doing so...)

I found my parents had done the same in the last 15-20 years; the ly would leave the TV on as "background noise" which I always found funny, since they didn't like it if we left a noisy TV set left unattended for more than a moment...but I suppose there's only one to herself now, so I suppose having hours without conversations can be bothersome if you've been surrounded by ever-present conversations and suddenly rarely hear them in retirement or after a partner dies.

Not me...If I want background noise I'll put on some music, and if I want to talk I have people to call. Added conversation becomes a distraction, but I suppose I've occasionally put on a ball game or race that I'm not 100% interested in while doing some light work on the PC or while washing dishes.

[vdeane]

As the streaming services began enshittifying, at least my local cable company has stepped up its game and started to offer the type of service people have wanted for years. You can choose the 20 or so channels you want for a flat rate and not pay for a bloated subscription just for a couple channels you want. Now that cable is the underdog in the fight, their services are getting better, and it seriously has me reconsidering my options when I get the chance to move out.

Interesting.  I think the best we have around here is the ability to pick which "bundles" you want in your plan (local channel bundle, news channel bundle, entertainment bundle, etc.), and IIRC there's a minimum number of bundles per cable subscription, too.

Good riddance to all of them. They've all bent the corporate knee to the toadstool. I had hopes for Disney since they bowed up against DeSantis, but that didn't last.

To be fair, that was a dog and pony show.  Disney never once stopped donating to DeSantis.

[Molandfreak]

As the streaming services began enshittifying, at least my local cable company has stepped up its game and started to offer the type of service people have wanted for years. You can choose the 20 or so channels you want for a flat rate and not pay for a bloated subscription just for a couple channels you want. Now that cable is the underdog in the fight, their services are getting better, and it seriously has me reconsidering my options when I get the chance to move out.

Interesting.  I think the best we have around here is the ability to pick which "bundles" you want in your plan (local channel bundle, news channel bundle, entertainment bundle, etc.), and IIRC there's a minimum number of bundles per cable subscription, too.

Eesh. That company deserves the slow, painful death they've been experiencing for the better part of 20 years now. Is there at least a saving grace in bundling a cable and internet package?

[Scott5114]

Good riddance to all of them. They've all bent the corporate knee to the toadstool.

She's been called Princess Peach since 1996.

[Max Rockatansky]

Good riddance to all of them. They've all bent the corporate knee to the toadstool.

She's been called Princess Peach since 1996.

She refers to herself as Toadstool and Peach in that letter to Mario about cake.

[Scott5114]

Good riddance to all of them. They've all bent the corporate knee to the toadstool.

She's been called Princess Peach since 1996.

She refers to herself as Toadstool and Peach in that letter to Mario about cake.

[Max Rockatansky]

Good riddance to all of them. They've all bent the corporate knee to the toadstool.

She's been called Princess Peach since 1996.

She refers to herself as Toadstool and Peach in that letter to Mario about cake.

If she had sent this instead it sure would have saved Mario the trouble of having to recover 120 Power Stars and solving whatever the fuck "L is real" meant.

[vdeane]

One thing that's also worth noting is that modern TV is designed for people who are multi-tasking while watching it.

Is there at least a saving grace in bundling a cable and internet package?

I believe so, though I don't remember the specifics.

[Molandfreak]

One thing that's also worth noting is that modern TV is designed for people who are multi-tasking while watching it.

At the expense of compelling dialogue, visual storytelling, or both.

[Rothman]

One thing that's also worth noting is that modern TV is designed for people who are multi-tasking while watching it.

At the expense of compelling dialogue, visual storytelling, or both.

It's little wonder people are ditching traditional TV.

[vdeane]

One thing that's also worth noting is that modern TV is designed for people who are multi-tasking while watching it.

At the expense of compelling dialogue, visual storytelling, or both.

It's little wonder people are ditching traditional TV.

It affects streaming too; it's part of how Netflix expects people to be able to binge entire seasons at once.

[Rothman]

One thing that's also worth noting is that modern TV is designed for people who are multi-tasking while watching it.

At the expense of compelling dialogue, visual storytelling, or both.

It's little wonder people are ditching traditional TV.

It affects streaming too; it's part of how Netflix expects people to be able to binge entire seasons at once.

I dunno.  Both Derry Girls and The Blacklist are on there and the former is far more in-depth than the latter.

[vdeane]

One thing that's also worth noting is that modern TV is designed for people who are multi-tasking while watching it.

At the expense of compelling dialogue, visual storytelling, or both.

It's little wonder people are ditching traditional TV.

It affects streaming too; it's part of how Netflix expects people to be able to binge entire seasons at once.

I dunno.  Both Derry Girls and The Blacklist are on there and the former is far more in-depth than the latter.

I've seen it cited as a reason why the NATLA isn't as good as ATLA.  Same for modern Star Trek (although that's Paramount).

[kphoger]

If there's one good thing about a decline in traditional broadcast and cable TV networks, it might mean that more people will use their newly found free time to get out of the house.

That's so adorable.

Sometimes I'll beat Jessica home from work.  I generally am not fast to turn the TV unless there is something I'm actively looking to watch.  If I happen to be in the living room when she walks in the first thing she'll ask is why the TV isn't on.

What a nonsensical question to ask.

Why aren't you trimming your toenails?
Why aren't you looking for new recipes online?
Why aren't you looking at the weather forecast?
Why aren't you watching television?

[Max Rockatansky]

If there's one good thing about a decline in traditional broadcast and cable TV networks, it might mean that more people will use their newly found free time to get out of the house.

That's so adorable.

Sometimes I'll beat Jessica home from work.  I generally am not fast to turn the TV unless there is something I'm actively looking to watch.  If I happen to be in the living room when she walks in the first thing she'll ask is why the TV isn't on.

What a nonsensical question to ask.

Why aren't you trimming your toenails?
Why aren't you looking for new recipes online?
Why aren't you looking at the weather forecast?
Why aren't you watching television?

I think the only she hasn't me about is the weather forecast.  I find that strange given how wildly different the weather can be around here.

[kphoger]

What a nonsensical question to ask.

Why aren't you trimming your toenails?
Why aren't you looking for new recipes online?
Why aren't you looking at the weather forecast?
Why aren't you watching television?

I think the only she hasn't me about is the weather forecast.  I find that strange given how wildly different the weather can be around here.

All of those might be reasonable questions to ask, but not immediately after getting home.  Especially if there isn't a show that you've been following lately.

[bing101]

https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2026/3/30/nexstar-tells-stations-to-cut-nbc-news-channel

Here's more on why networks are going down and some of this is about Nexstar protecting their own content.

Nexstar sources tell FTVLive that before the federal judge paused the Nexstar Tegna merger, Tegna NBC affiliates were told that starting today (March 31) it would be the last day using the affiliate service and that no more using reporters, packages, or even taking live special reports.
Now with the TRO in place, Nexstar has backed off the orders to the Tegna station.
Nexstar told the NBC affiliates that they would instead use News Nation moving forward. Nexstar had already nixed the NBC News Channel contract for their stations prior to the merger. 

[SP Cook]

OK boomer

Actually, the people who, once again, wish to regale me with how much money they saved by not watching TV, during, of all things, discussions about what is on TV, tend to be older than me.

From the regulatory capture of the FCC in the 1950s to the Congressional overturning of the very logical Fortnightly case and "retransmission consent", to all the litigation over keeping network TV off satellite and "local into local", which cost billions for no purpose, the networks have had one goal.  Make getting TV as hard as possible on an OTA basis, so people will pay cable, later satellite, and now linear streaming (which, is NOT cord cutting, BTW).  And then, with cable in place, moving shows to cable channels and making you buy all of them, just to get the few you wanted.

And then came Netflix, and the C-word "pandemic".  The networks panicked.  OK, a relative handful of people were satisfied with just Netflix.  OK,  Enjoy.  Do without.

If they had been dumb enough to offer just HBO, without making you get cable first, 25 years earlier, same result.  They weren't. 

But they panicked.  Every one launched a streamer, with access to all their shows, both sports and filmed entertainment.  And all lose money.  All lose money.  And, there isn't some guy trying to decide whether or not to get it.   Everyone who wants it, has it.  And its just not enough to make a profit. 

Because they reversed 70 plus years of a business plan that worked.  Let 5 old men sit around and tell us all, once again, how much money they saved watching only Netflix and let some kids talk about how they steal content from Canadian websites.

The game is on CBS.  Don't have CBS?  Do without.

Worked for almost a century.

[kphoger]

[vdeane]

OK boomer

Actually, the people who, once again, wish to regale me with how much money they saved by not watching TV, during, of all things, discussions about what is on TV, tend to be older than me.

From the regulatory capture of the FCC in the 1950s to the Congressional overturning of the very logical Fortnightly case and "retransmission consent", to all the litigation over keeping network TV off satellite and "local into local", which cost billions for no purpose, the networks have had one goal.  Make getting TV as hard as possible on an OTA basis, so people will pay cable, later satellite, and now linear streaming (which, is NOT cord cutting, BTW).  And then, with cable in place, moving shows to cable channels and making you buy all of them, just to get the few you wanted.

And then came Netflix, and the C-word "pandemic".  The networks panicked.  OK, a relative handful of people were satisfied with just Netflix.  OK,  Enjoy.  Do without.

If they had been dumb enough to offer just HBO, without making you get cable first, 25 years earlier, same result.  They weren't. 

But they panicked.  Every one launched a streamer, with access to all their shows, both sports and filmed entertainment.  And all lose money.  All lose money.  And, there isn't some guy trying to decide whether or not to get it.   Everyone who wants it, has it.  And its just not enough to make a profit. 

Because they reversed 70 plus years of a business plan that worked.  Let 5 old men sit around and tell us all, once again, how much money they saved watching only Netflix and let some kids talk about how they steal content from Canadian websites.

The game is on CBS.  Don't have CBS?  Do without.

Worked for almost a century.

You seem to be really nostalgic for what my generation and especially Gen Z refer to as "appointment TV", which is considered really inconvenient and outdated by younger people these days.  Nobody wants to have to schedule their life around TV any more - watching on demand is where it's at.

[wxfree]

OK boomer

Actually, the people who, once again, wish to regale me with how much money they saved by not watching TV, during, of all things, discussions about what is on TV, tend to be older than me.

From the regulatory capture of the FCC in the 1950s to the Congressional overturning of the very logical Fortnightly case and "retransmission consent", to all the litigation over keeping network TV off satellite and "local into local", which cost billions for no purpose, the networks have had one goal.  Make getting TV as hard as possible on an OTA basis, so people will pay cable, later satellite, and now linear streaming (which, is NOT cord cutting, BTW).  And then, with cable in place, moving shows to cable channels and making you buy all of them, just to get the few you wanted.

And then came Netflix, and the C-word "pandemic".  The networks panicked.  OK, a relative handful of people were satisfied with just Netflix.  OK,  Enjoy.  Do without.

If they had been dumb enough to offer just HBO, without making you get cable first, 25 years earlier, same result.  They weren't. 

But they panicked.  Every one launched a streamer, with access to all their shows, both sports and filmed entertainment.  And all lose money.  All lose money.  And, there isn't some guy trying to decide whether or not to get it.   Everyone who wants it, has it.  And its just not enough to make a profit. 

Because they reversed 70 plus years of a business plan that worked.  Let 5 old men sit around and tell us all, once again, how much money they saved watching only Netflix and let some kids talk about how they steal content from Canadian websites.

The game is on CBS.  Don't have CBS?  Do without.

Worked for almost a century.

You seem to be really nostalgic for what my generation and especially Gen Z refer to as "appointment TV", which is considered really inconvenient and outdated by younger people these days.  Nobody wants to have to schedule their life around TV any more - watching on demand is where it's at.

On the cable television service around here, watching new episodes on demand, if I wait until a week after they're released, it has a lot less advertising for me to ignore.  That's another bonus.  The latest episode runs about 10 minutes longer than the one from the week before for a half hour show.

[Max Rockatansky]

OK boomer

Actually, the people who, once again, wish to regale me with how much money they saved by not watching TV, during, of all things, discussions about what is on TV, tend to be older than me.

From the regulatory capture of the FCC in the 1950s to the Congressional overturning of the very logical Fortnightly case and "retransmission consent", to all the litigation over keeping network TV off satellite and "local into local", which cost billions for no purpose, the networks have had one goal.  Make getting TV as hard as possible on an OTA basis, so people will pay cable, later satellite, and now linear streaming (which, is NOT cord cutting, BTW).  And then, with cable in place, moving shows to cable channels and making you buy all of them, just to get the few you wanted.

And then came Netflix, and the C-word "pandemic".  The networks panicked.  OK, a relative handful of people were satisfied with just Netflix.  OK,  Enjoy.  Do without.

If they had been dumb enough to offer just HBO, without making you get cable first, 25 years earlier, same result.  They weren't. 

But they panicked.  Every one launched a streamer, with access to all their shows, both sports and filmed entertainment.  And all lose money.  All lose money.  And, there isn't some guy trying to decide whether or not to get it.   Everyone who wants it, has it.  And its just not enough to make a profit. 

Because they reversed 70 plus years of a business plan that worked.  Let 5 old men sit around and tell us all, once again, how much money they saved watching only Netflix and let some kids talk about how they steal content from Canadian websites.

The game is on CBS.  Don't have CBS?  Do without.

Worked for almost a century.

You seem to be really nostalgic for what my generation and especially Gen Z refer to as "appointment TV", which is considered really inconvenient and outdated by younger people these days.  Nobody wants to have to schedule their life around TV any more - watching on demand is where it's at.

Did you not have access to a TV guide and programmable VCR?