Dear colleagues:
The
programming department is considering changes to our lineup. Some of you are
not so sure that these changes will benefit the station. I hope to address
those concerns in this memo.
As you may know, the programming department
would like to include Outcasts in its lineup. It would air at 8 p.m. on Thursdays
instead of Buddies.
There is no doubt in my mind that Buddies has been
an important part of our commitment to entertain our viewers and to give our
advertisers the best possible return on their investment.
But I am
also certain that the proposed changes will in no way undermine that commitment.
It reaffirms it.
As you may know, Outcasts is the next installment
of the reality series. It generated incredible ratings on its way to becoming
a cultural phenomenon last year. Stations that aired it report significant
increases in audience levels and in advertising revenues. Indeed, our failure
to air Outcasts cost us dearly if you consider the money we could have made
had we decided to air it.
But we did not and I don't think this station
can afford to make that mistake twice. Yes, the sequel may be inferior and
there may be a backlash against this type of reality-based programming. But
the early buzz that surrounds the show is encouraging. We may also have no
other choice. A rival station will air it, and we have to counter it if we
want to maintain our position in this market.
Adding new and unproven
shows is always a risk, but it is a risk that this station should and must
take.
Note that these proposed changes allow some flexibility. We have
the option of moving Buddies to a different time-slot. I would be more than
happy to discuss such a move if it has sufficient support.