📝TV Writing Unit 9 – Network vs. Streaming: TV Writing Platforms

What's the Deal with Network vs. Streaming?

• Network TV and streaming platforms represent two distinct models for distributing and consuming television content
• Traditional network TV relies on a scheduled programming model, where shows air at specific times on specific days of the week
• Streaming platforms, such as Netflix and Hulu, offer on-demand access to a wide variety of content, allowing viewers to watch what they want, when they want
• Network TV is typically supported by advertising revenue, while streaming platforms often rely on subscription fees or a combination of subscription fees and ads
• The rise of streaming has disrupted the traditional network TV model, leading to changes in viewer habits, content creation, and the overall television landscape
• Streaming platforms have invested heavily in original content, competing directly with networks for viewers and talent
• The distinctions between network and streaming are blurring as networks launch their own streaming services (CBS All Access, NBC's Peacock) and some streaming platforms (Hulu) offer live TV options

Key Players in the TV Landscape

• Major broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, which have been the dominant forces in television for decades
• Premium cable networks: HBO, Showtime, and Starz, known for their high-quality, award-winning original series
• Basic cable networks: AMC, FX, TNT, and USA, which have gained prominence through critically acclaimed original programming
• Streaming giants: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, which have revolutionized the way people consume TV content
• Newer streaming platforms: Disney+, Apple TV+, and HBO Max, which have entered the market with high-profile original series and exclusive content
• Niche streaming services: Crunchyroll (anime), Shudder (horror), and BritBox (British TV), catering to specific audiences and genres
• Traditional media companies: Disney, WarnerMedia, and NBCUniversal, which own both networks and streaming platforms, adapting to the changing landscape

How Network TV Works

• Network TV follows a traditional broadcast model, with shows airing on a set schedule, typically in the fall and spring seasons
• Programs are divided into half-hour or hour-long time slots, with commercial breaks interspersed throughout
• Networks decide which shows to air based on factors such as audience demographics, advertising potential, and overall fit with the network's brand
• Shows are typically ordered in cycles, starting with a pilot episode, followed by a series order if the pilot is successful
• Network TV shows often have longer seasons (20-24 episodes) compared to streaming or cable series
• Ratings and audience engagement are crucial factors in determining a show's success and renewal chances
• Networks have stricter content guidelines compared to streaming platforms, with limitations on language, violence, and sexual content

Streaming Platforms 101

• Streaming platforms offer on-demand access to a wide range of TV shows, movies, and original content
• Users typically pay a monthly subscription fee to access the platform's content library
• Streaming platforms use algorithms and user data to recommend personalized content and improve the viewing experience
• Many streaming platforms release entire seasons of original series at once, encouraging binge-watching
• Streaming shows often have shorter seasons (8-13 episodes) compared to network TV, allowing for more focused storytelling
• Streaming platforms have more flexibility in terms of content, with fewer restrictions on language, violence, and adult themes
• Some streaming platforms, like Hulu and CBS All Access, offer live TV options in addition to on-demand content

Writing for Network vs. Streaming

• Writing for network TV involves adhering to act breaks, which are structured around commercial breaks
  • This can impact the pacing and storytelling of network shows
• Network TV scripts often have more rigid page counts and format requirements compared to streaming scripts
• Streaming platforms allow for more creative freedom and flexibility in storytelling, as there are fewer constraints on content and episode length
• Streaming shows can explore more complex and mature themes, as they are not bound by the same content restrictions as network TV
• Writers for streaming platforms often have more opportunities to develop character arcs and long-term storylines due to the serialized nature of many streaming series
• Network TV writers must be mindful of the broader audience and advertisers, while streaming writers can target more specific demographics
• Streaming platforms often give writers and creators more control over their projects, with less interference from executives compared to network TV

Pros and Cons of Each Platform

• Network TV Pros:
  • Larger potential audience reach due to the broadcast model
  • Established viewer habits and loyalty to specific networks and shows
  • Opportunities for long-running series and spin-offs (CSI, Law & Order)
• Network TV Cons:
  • Limited creative freedom due to content restrictions and advertiser influence
  • Pressure to maintain high ratings and appeal to a broad audience
  • Risk of cancellation due to poor ratings, leading to unresolved storylines
• Streaming Pros:
  • Greater creative freedom and flexibility in storytelling
  • Ability to target specific audiences and demographics
  • Potential for global reach and distribution
  • More opportunities for diverse and underrepresented voices
• Streaming Cons:
  • Intense competition among platforms for viewers and content
  • Risk of shows being lost in the vast content libraries
  • Potential for viewer fatigue and subscription burnout
  • Uncertainty around long-term success and renewal of series

Future Trends in TV Writing

• Increased demand for original content as platforms compete for subscribers and market share
• Greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion in both content and behind-the-scenes talent
• More cross-platform collaborations and partnerships, such as the Marvel series on Netflix and Disney+
• Continued blurring of lines between network and streaming, with more networks launching their own streaming services
• Potential for interactive and immersive storytelling experiences, such as Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
• Growth of short-form content and mobile-friendly formats to cater to changing viewer habits
• Increased use of data analytics and audience insights to inform content creation and greenlighting decisions

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

• Stranger Things (Netflix): A prime example of a streaming platform's success with original content, showcasing the benefits of creative freedom and targeted marketing
• The Mandalorian (Disney+): Demonstrates the power of a strong IP and how streaming platforms can leverage existing franchises to attract subscribers
• The Handmaid's Tale (Hulu): Highlights the ability of streaming platforms to tackle complex, socially relevant themes and generate critical acclaim
• The Good Place (NBC): Illustrates how network TV can still produce innovative and thought-provoking content within the constraints of the broadcast model
• Fleabag (Amazon Prime Video): Showcases the potential for streaming platforms to provide a platform for unique, creator-driven projects that resonate with audiences
• Schitt's Creek (CBC/Pop TV/Netflix): Demonstrates the power of word-of-mouth and streaming distribution in turning a relatively unknown series into a cultural phenomenon
• The Witcher (Netflix): Exemplifies the trend of streaming platforms adapting popular books and video games into original series to tap into existing fanbases