facebook_pixel Press "Enter" to skip to content

Looking to start your TV writing journey?

Posts published in “TV Business”

FOX v. FCC

Let’s turn our attention towards the US Supreme Court for a sec.
Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with the Fantasy Supreme Court Justice pool I’m running.
Instead, I’ll bore you with one of the current cases being made in front of the Court.
I am of course talking about possibly one the biggest FCC case ever: FOX v. FCC.
It’s the first time in 30 years that the Supreme Court is reviewing broadcasting indecency standards.

The case deals with swearing on live TV:
In March of 06, the FCC fined FOX for Cher and Nicole Richie saying “shit” and “fucking” during the 02 & 03 Billboard Music Awards, all due to a “new” FCC policy that allowed penalization even if the expletive is made only once, and live.

The case worked its way up to the Supreme Court and on Tuesday were heard the oral arguments for the case.
And, no, no one said “shit” or “fucking”.
They did use cute euphemisms however, such as “the s-word” and “the f-word”.

3 Justices out of the 7 appear for now neutral, while 2 seemed to be leaning towards the FCC and the other 2 towards FOX.

If the case ultimately goes towards FOX, the prior “expletive case” in 1978 (following the George Carlin monologue) could be overturned and the win could severely diminish FCC’s role in policing the airwaves.
But on the other hand, if the FCC wins, it would validate FCC’s regulations even more and perhaps strongly reduce First Amendment rights (mainly free speech) on broadcasting networks.

Back in March, in an editorial, the New York Times commented:

“We hope the Supreme Court does not authorize the F.C.C. to return to its censorial policies.”

Most of the Justices are pretty conservative so there’s definitely a good chance they will favor the FCC.

The current Court term ends at the end of November, so a decision should be issued by then.

Meanwhile, if you’re into reading legal papers, there’s a bunch of those on the case here.

Scary business

Remember that news about NBC cutting costs?

Well CBS may also do that in the very near future as they announced yesterday a third quarter loss of $12.5 billion (linked to a $14 billion write-down) with ad revenue declining in its main divisions, including television.

Incidentally, digital revenues have rose 6% this year with a 12% increase regarding Internet display ads.

As for their revenues, they are up 3%, thanks primarily to CSI: NY’s cable syndication.

All in all, CBS is now in the top 10 Internet company and the “#1 producer and provider of premium online content”.

No wonder they are trying to cash in on the future.

Meanwhile, Yahoo Video is now the (distant) second in video streams with a 56% increase (to about 265 millions).
Still, Google’s YouTube is very far ahead with 5 billion video streams in September.
Let’s not forget though that most Yahoo Vids have ads in them (= money = good for the company).

Speaking of, Lisa Klink has posted about “[trying to come] at the TV biz sideways”. Meaning that wannabe TV (and for that matter any) writer wanting to break in will have better chance of doing that by trying various other “creative outlets”.
TV writing is becoming increasingly more competitive due to a number of reasons, including strong cuts in budgets, therefore creating a smaller gap for people to squeeze in.
Any kind of “out of the box” success will definitely be a plus, distinguishing you from the rest.

Bonjour WGA

Film France is launching with the WGA a program named France Unlimited Access which allows 10 WGA writers to go on an 8-day tour of, you guessed it, France.
Well, actually Paris and the South of France.
The first tour will be held between Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 with John August, Michael Brandt, Michael Dougherty, Derek Haas, Edward Neumeier, Duncan Tucker and Rita Hsiao.

As you might have also guessed, the aim is to promote France as an appropriate setting for future movies. And what better way to start but with the writers.

August has dedicated a post on this and has kind of spurred somewhat of a debate.
On what you might ask.
Well, some people seem to believe that “relocating” so to speak, say, 10 features in France, will somehow affect the global American economy.

Is that the most ridiculous statement you’ve heard all week or what?

Anyway, since it’s for “business” (in France!), the screenwriters probably won’t do any screenwriting seminars and such here unfortunately.
And since I don’t know where they are in Paris, I won’t be able to stalk them. :(