BANFF – The financial crisis is shaping trends in drama programming in a major ways, according to panelists at the View from the Top: Drama Forecast session at the Banff World Television Festival on Tuesday.
In these times of economic gloom, people want to see “inspirational” stories on the small screen, the panelists noted.
“Dark or cynical dramas are not getting a great response, with the economy the way it is,” said Robin Gurney, executive vice-president of development at Imagine Television.
Gary Marenzi, co-president of worldwide television at MGM, noted another trend was shows about rich people with problems – illustrating that money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness.
Ben Davis, director of development and current series for AMC, home of the award-winning series Mad Men, said that along with inspirational tales, many new dramas are being set in blue collar communities or union towns.
There’s also been a return to old favourites – episodic lawyer and cop shows, as well as a big push for procedurals, too. The supernatural is also another element that is showing up in many dramas these days, as well.
“This is not a creative trend, but one due to financial concerns,” noted Gurney. “These kinds of TV shows sell overseas and are safer for ad sales.”
As well, many of these shows are co-productions so that one network doesn’t have to finance a complete series on its own. For example, CTV’s Flashpoint is being co-created with CBS, and simulcast across both networks.
Davis agreed that the nets are playing it safe in these tough economic times as they look to replace such shows as E.R., which went off the air, and Lost, which won’t be back next year.
While there is less money to produce drama, the genre will never die, agreed the panelists.
– Norma Reveler
