UPN to become a "Limited Network"; very interesting

[Captain Calhoun]

Found this at TrekWeb, thought you guys might want to know.

http://talk.trekweb.com/articles/2003/02/18/1045576591.html

I could be wrong but I don't think this is good for us Scapers.

[Dominar of Action]

Can you please clarify why you think this affects Scapers? What effect would a change in classification have to do with UPN's plans for the future?

[DentArthurDent]

for some reason I am getting uni-code garbage when tying to read it...

Thanks,
AFD

[jadeshand]

Here's the Reuters' report:

UPN may become limited
Reuters
Feb 18 2003 4:12AM

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Now that UPN has announced plans to drop its afternoon kids block this August, the broadcaster is in danger of being reclassified as a "limited network" by Nielsen Media Research.
Without its Disney-branded afternoon kids lineup, UPN will drop to 13 hours a week (including its Saturday movie and the second run of "Enterprise" offered to affiliates). Nielsen identifies any broadcast network offering more than 15 hours of programming as a full-fledged network. Webs with fewer than 10 hours are labeled as "emerging networks."

Viacom-owned UPN would be rated the same way, but as a "limited network" it would be segregated from full-timers ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, the WB, and even Pax, on some Nielsen reports.

"We're in discussions with Nielsen about our reporting status, but the only thing it affects is our classification," UPN spokeswoman Joanna Lowry said. "It's doesn't affect our programming."

Indeed, UPN execs said they're not too concerned about any fallout from being knocked down to limited network status. Webheads even looked on the bright side: With fewer hours to rate, UPN's hefty Nielsen costs will go down.

Reuters/Variety


02/18/03 04:10 ET

[DentArthurDent]

Thanks, Jackie...
hmmmm very interesting. Don't think it will affect us much either way personally, A year is forever in Newtork, or internet time. We have that long before we can plan for SciFi to lose it's grip...

AFD

[LadyCrais]

It may be that the loss of income from the afternoon kids stuff means they can't afford Farscape. On the other hand, maybe they decided to cut there and put the same investment into Farscape. So really, I don't think we can tell anything. Maybe kimbr will enlighten us at some point.

I suppose one question about the changed Nielsen status is what it does to advertising revenue. It seems like it would be reduced, but I haven't a clue how that works.

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

So in other words, with them dropping some programs, they need other ones or else be classified differently, which they don't appear to like. Program nice and handy - Farscape.

Or am I just reading into this one wrong?

[Vampgrrl]

I dont think it matters...what I read into that is UPN wants to build it's core audience base instead of worrying about growing as fast as it can. 40 hours of good TV is better than 13 hrs of crap. 13 hrs of good TV is better than 13 hrs of crap.

[MediaSavant]

All this means is that UPN has dropped its Kids programming and is out of the Kids' business. This changes their Nielsen status.

Not a surprising move if you follow the Kids' business. GRP supply has far outstripped demand for years and UPN was a minor player. Fox reduced its Kids programming last year for similar reasons.

As far as is known now they will still have the same amount of Primetime.

(relurking)