<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TriggerHappy:
Still, Dylan Neal said ratings are the most important factor. I remember the discussion that marginal ratings could be helped by positive reviews. It was theoretical then, but has alot of relevence now. I can't see anything other then ratings making any difference in Sci-Fi's decision.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm not speaking for SCI-FI here, just in general. Lots of things go into deciding whether to make a series just like lots of things go into any company deciding whether to make a product or service. Ratings are only one component. Most series don't even have their pilot shown before a show is comissioned. Other series are commissioned with pilot included before any film is shot at all (e.g., Jeremiah and the new sf series from Buffy's Executive Producer). In those cases, decisions are made with no ratings in hand at all. Of course, once a pilot is show, a net would be silly not to consider how it did.... especially if it provided a significant media campaign to give the pilot a push.
Even if a movie got a good rating (and if you look carefully, the articles referenced above make it clear that Rangers is below a certain number), that's not necessarily good enough. If you are a company deciding if you should make a product, would you go ahead with development based only on some good feedback from your customers? What if it will cost you more to make that the market will allow it to be sold at? What if it isn't consistent with the image and branding you are working to achieve for your company? These are questions all companies must ask in determining the ROI for a potential product. Nets are no different.
Putting this in TV terms, if the show costs too much to produce, even good ratings may not be enough to generate the license fee that will allow a profit in a relatively short period (companys like Warner's no longer want to wait till syndication to make any money). Also, ratings aren't all equal. Does it bring in the demos the network wants? Note the push the SCI-FI has had to successfully bring in female viewers over the last year.
I think there is more to a series order decision than just ratings.
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[This message has been edited by ala (edited January 24, 2002).]
[This message has been edited by ala (edited January 25, 2002).]
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