The rest of the world should have some input too. I'm not even talking about Pan Am, just shows in general. I'm sick of all of my favorite shows being cancelled because the American viewership is low. People watch online and in other countries too ya know...
shareFrankly, I knew this show wouldn't be on long. I knew the average American wouldn't be into it. Don't get me wrong, I liked it. Although I'll admit that I did lose interest after five or six episodes.
I also knew it would go over well in the UK, as I lived there for several years and was heavily involved in the 'vintage' and '60s' scenes there before recently moving back to the states.
But to ask why an AMERICAN show is cancelled when it only does well OUTSIDE AMERICA is just crazy. I mean if I was investing in a product and it wasn't selling at all in my largest market, but was doing alright in a couple of tiny markets? Well, making a couple of dollars here and there while losing thousands in one big place just isn't my idea of good business.
They don't make TV shows to entertain us. They make them to make money. The bigger the market, the more money there is to make or lose. The US is a BIG market. The UK, not so much. Simples.
The bee hunts in pairs....and other fruits...
I'm starting to believe that Americans just aren't interested in these period piece type dramas on television. There was Pan Am, The Playboy Club, American Dreams recently, which all struggled to find an audience and Magic City doesn't seem to be doing so well either. Sure the case could be made for Mad Men, but it's ratings have never been anything special. It sucks, because I tend to enjoy them and I think they bring something interesting to primetime.
shareWeird, I liked the first three shows that you've mentioned.I think these types of shows would be better fits on a cable channel._____~ I close my eyes lost in a memoryJust like a candle in the wind ~
shareBoardwalk Empire on HBO seems to be doing well.
I'm starting to come under the impression: if it's on a traditional network, a new show has low chances, if it's on premium cable then it'll probably stick around, have good production values, and won't get blasted with heavy censorship.
I see where you are getting at with that. They really need to take into account web viewers or DVR viewers. I never watched Pan Am on the day it came on. I'd always watched it on ABC.com and though I'm not sure about this show, I know a lot of people watch their shows online or look for it on demand. They know this technology is out there so I don't understand why they aren't finding ways to take that into account.
I despise the pleasure of pleasing people that I despise. ~ Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
lol they don't care about who watches in other countries. They care who watches (among the Nielsen families) in the US because they sell commercial space during the show. They could care less about what you or your friends enjoy, it's not making them money.
For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco
They don't give the shows to other countries for free. Foreign networks pay for broadcasting rights.
Since they sell to other countries they could well say to those where it is being successful:
"Hey Frank the shows not gaining massive viewership on our network, but I see it's a success for you, why not join in on the production costs and we'll make a deal on broadcasting rights for xyz."