So, I'm watching a new episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent on USA Network this past Sunday and, like all upstanding Americans do, I was flipping through the channels during a commercial break. As I passed by these channels at the speed of light my eye caught something on Bravo. It was another episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Not a new episode, mind you, just a repeat of a repeat of a repeat that Bravo airs during their Sunday night block.
Now, you're probably saying to yourself 'So what? Cable channels are allowed to air whatever they damn well please.' Well, after lecturing you about your tone of voice I would mention that you had a point. But, thanks to the wonderful world of corporate synergy, your argument would not meet the mustard. You see, Bravo is under the huge umbrella known as NBC Universal, which is the same company that owns USA Network, which is currently airing new episodes of Law & Order: CI on Sunday nights. With all of this information at hand the following question comes to mind:
Who the hell is programming these networks?
Isn't this counterproductive for NBC Universal? Here they are, spending all of these millions of dollars to produce new episodes of the youngest Law & Order series and they are competing against themselves for the viewing public. I would think that both cable networks, as well as the Universal itself, would want people to tune into the newest episodes rather than one that has aired three or four times on Bravo. By setting up this scenario the corporation is saying 'Look, we have these new episodes on USA. But, if you don't like the new episodes and want to watch some older, better ones, tune into Bravo.' As a star of the newest episodes, I certainly wouldn't feel like my work was being supported by the people paying their salaries. As a member of USA Networks I'd feel that Universal wasn't giving the show a chance to survive. As a viewer, I would just record the new episode to watch a classic episode I previously enjoyed. Since these networks still use the primitive Nielsen ratings system, this would not bode well for these new episodes.
I'm really not too sure why Bravo decided to keep old episodes of CI on its schedule while a new episodes airs on USA at the same time. Perhaps it was a lack of communication at the corporate level, or the fact that a replay of one of the network's many reality shows doesn't play well on Sunday nights. Frankly, both explanations don't wash. It's probably more of the fact that NBC Universal, in its continuing destruction of the network name, doesn't really care one way or another. If the new episodes of CI fail, they still make money on the franchise. If they are a success, then all the better. What's your opinion?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-23-2008 @ 2:07PM
Rob said...
I don't care,.. just keep the CI coming.
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6-23-2008 @ 2:36PM
GorenFan said...
You have a valid point. But the ones on Bravo Sundays tend to repeat (is that really redundant?) a 4-show block so if you watched from 5-9, and then switched to a new L&O:CI on USA, all you would miss is the re-showing of the 5:00 pm episode. I'm a newcomer to the L&O Family of shows so I'm catching up on all the past seasons shows. Depending on whether I've seen the episode, I will bounce between USA and Bravo when the episodes are on at the same time. Maybe NBC Universal should just have a L&O channel 24/7!
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6-23-2008 @ 2:38PM
GorenFan said...
...Or maybe I should get a life!!!!
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6-23-2008 @ 3:08PM
Doug Nelson said...
Get a DVR and all will be known (and you won't need to flip channels during commercial breaks).
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6-23-2008 @ 3:15PM
kenm said...
We're talking about network programming executives here. You know, the same types of people who cancelled Arrested Development. You're expecting them to make logical decisions that benefit the shows they develop as well as the viewing public??
Just be thankful they haven't replaced the Law and Orders with America's Favorite Dancing House Flipping Nanny or some such crap.
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6-23-2008 @ 4:00PM
Wes said...
It sounds a bit odd, as you say, maybe they're to talking to each other, or maybe they don't it as cannibalising their own viewers.
Man I miss Arrested Development. The one show which should have been cherished for a long, long time. Movie?
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6-23-2008 @ 4:16PM
Jimmy said...
News flash: There was a NEW CI episode on this weekend. It would be nice to read a review of that rather than a complaint about old episodes. Let's face it ... L&O reruns are better than most new programming anyway.
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6-23-2008 @ 4:18PM
Jimmy said...
Jeffrey Tambor was on Craig Ferguson's show last week and said they are in talks for a movie.
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6-23-2008 @ 8:37PM
fan said...
I thought all along that Bravo would switch their broadcast of the old shows to another night and was surprised when they did not do so. But, it really doesn't matter. I can watch the new episodes on USA, then watch the reruns on Bravo afterwards. Then on the nights of the Chris Noth episodes, I can just watch the Bravo re-runs all night!
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6-24-2008 @ 1:39AM
D-Bo said...
I would rather read reviews of the great new episodes than rants on why they're on two channels at the same time...
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6-24-2008 @ 11:51AM
Dino said...
Bravo probably airs the re-runs because they've gotten consistently high ratings from the show and no other programming will grab the ratings for them. Better to leave the scheduling as is rather than disrupt the routine of your loyal viewers (like me!).
Although I always prefer the new episodes on USA now since I've seen all the old eps many times. Besides, this Sunday's ep was Goren's first case since returning to the Squad. What did you think of it? Goren worked well with Eames, although Eames wasn't pleased to be working with him again so soon. I loved the story, too.
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6-24-2008 @ 3:39PM
lee said...
I agree witheveryone else that even old Law And Order CI
episodes are better than most of the stuff they put on tv .If you paid attention at all to the schedules you would know that a person could watch the Bravo episodes and the USA episodes and still see them all.Maybe next time you could write an article about how good the new episode was instead trying to be sarcastic.
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6-26-2008 @ 9:50PM
Outerbankschick said...
One word: Tivo! :)
Aside from that, I like the fact that I can watch repeats of the show on Bravo all night on Sunday. I always watch the current epi, either right away or on Tivo anyway.
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