Hits & Misses: Some of the industry’s top broadcast specialists offer their take on the new fall TV season

Media in Canada has asked some of the industry's top broadcast specialists to give their take on the new programs being offered this fall. We will be revealing their picks and pans in the weeks running up to the launches.
By Patti Summerfield
August 26, 2004

Media in Canada has asked some of the industry’s top broadcast specialists to give their take on the new programs being offered this fall. We will be revealing their picks and pans in the weeks running up to the launches.

This week, we hear from Florence Ng, vice-president broadcast, ZenithOptimedia Canada:

Q: What new fall shows do you think are going to be winners?

‘I guess the one I feel will be a hit because it comes from that very successful CSI line of programs is CSI: NY. CSI is something people don’t seem to tire of watching. At the same time it has Gary Sinise and he probably has quite a few fans out there so on a Wednesday night it should probably do well.

‘If you are looking at the Friends spinoff Joey, in the U.S. it’s up against Survivor. In Canada most of the time it’s going to be in a pre-release position of 7:30 p.m. so it’s not a really good time-slot. He’s a likeable character and if they give it time to build around him and his family, even if it doesn’t pull the numbers they want, then it will stick around.

‘Because The Apprentice was successful, similar programs like The Billionaire with Richard Branson and The Benefactor with Mark Cuban have come up. Richard Branson is very well known around the world, particularly in Europe, but I don’t know if he’s as well known in North America. [The Billionaire] is more like The Amazing Race combined with The Apprentice because it is The Apprentice on the go. It should be interesting but because it is a 13-week series, it’s not going to be a set series unless it does well and they’ll bring it back like they did The Apprentice.’

The buzz:

CSI:NY: On the U.S. schedule, CSI: NY goes head-to-head with perennial favourite Law and Order. CSI:NY is not expected to win the time period (10:00 p.m.) but it will erode some of the Law & Order audience and capture adults 18 to 49.

Joey: U.S. industry watchers believe Joey can be a survivor but could be at risk if his character isn’t allowed to develop beyond the one-dimensional, macho but thick-as-a-brick persona he was saddled with for 10 years on Friends.

The Billionaire:Branson’s Quest for the Best: Pundits believe the globe-trotting aspect of the show will create interest and that it could be a winner. Even though this Fox concept is trying to capitalize on the popularity of last season’s The Apprentice, copycat or not, only the best programs survive.