This week’s topic: How do networks develop and green light new programs? Our case study is the A&E and Bio pair of channels. The program development process is a huge and complex topic. Each year, hundreds of channels worldwide commission thousands of factual entertainment programs at a cost of several $U.S. billions. Commissioning practices differ …
How Do A&E and Bio Networks Develop New Programs? Read More »
The ‘Sweet Spot’ for Bio – A&E’s Junior and Growing Brand In our two previous posts, we analyzed the ‘Sweet Spot’ for production budgets at channels owned by AETN, led by A&E and History. (See Archives: March 4, March 11, 2010). This week we look at Bio, the junior brand in the A&E family of channels. While Bio is …
The ‘Sweet Spot’ for History In our previous post, we recapped the concept of the network ‘Sweet Spot’, and analyzed A&E’s commission costs. (See Archive: March 3, 2010). This week we look at the U.S. History channel, which is also owned by AETN, and its sister brands History International and Military History. History is distributed to more than 98 …
The ‘Sweet Spot’ for A&E In our previous posts, we examined Discovery’s ‘Sweet Spot’ for commissions. (See Archive: February 17 and February 24, 2010). This week we look at A&E, the flagship and parent of the AETN family of channels that includes History, Bio, History International, the digi-nets Crime & Investigation (CI) and Military History, and since …
The ‘Sweet Spot’ for Discovery’s Digi-Nets In our previous blog (February 17, 2010), we examined Discovery’s ‘Sweet Spot’ for commissions by the ‘Big Four’: The Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and Discovery Health, which will be relaunched as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. This week, we look at Discovery’s ‘’Digi-Nets’ – so named because they are not yet fully …
Discovery’s Digi-Nets: What Do They Pay for Programs? Read More »
The ‘Sweet Spot’ Every network is steered by an annual programming budget that establishes or implies a “Sweet Spot” for an hour of original programming. This benchmark is based on investment strategies, revenues, the competitive situation, contributions from co-producers and partners, and more. The ‘Sweet Spot’ is the cost that the Director/VP …
What do Discovery’s ‘Big Four’ Networks Pay for Programming Read More »
Welcome to DocumentaryTelevision.com, your new, free guide to the ever-changing business of factual television. I’m Peter Hamilton. Born in Melbourne, based in New York, and serving clients worldwide. Whenever I speak at industry conferences, attendees line up to express their thanks that someone is giving them ‘the hard facts’. Their gratitude has evolved into the mission of …