Whatever else may be said about the network TV season, 1971-72, one thing is certain: There will be less of it. The FCC has decreed that local channels must carry fewer network hours, and as a result, NBC, CBS and ABC evening programming will begin a half-hour later, except on Tuesday for some reason.
The FCC action is the result of a bit of wholly misguided idealism. The agency wants to encourage more creative, locally oriented programming. Nobody else, absolutely nobody else, believes it will. Local channels aren’t producing their own shows. They are buying up inexpensive taped shows, produced for station-by-station syndication; syndicated outfits have been working overtime during the summer to grind out inexpensive quiz shows, stunt shows, and continuations of network rejects (Hee-Haw!, Lawrence Welk and Lassie are all having second lives via syndication). And small outfits are dusting off their ancient TV films for local replay. (If this keeps up, My Little Margie may rule nighttime TV once again.)
Comments