NATPE: The leading alternative reality programmers at NBC and ABC denied that their genre was “broken” or “gravely ill” on the first day of conferences here in Miami.
Paul Telegdy and John Saade, executive VPs of alternative programming and latenight programming for NBC and ABC respectively, said there was still room for more singing and talent shows but that a re-imagining was required in certain areas of the genre.
Concerns about alternative reality overkill has been raised after Fox’s US launch of The X Factor fell short of expectations.
Saade said: “Am I worried? I’m not. It is a genre that can endlessly reinvent itself. Is it gravely ill? It’s not. It’s still very profitable, very popular, it still captures the zeitgeist – it’s not a dire situation. It is a chance for us to analyse what we’re doing, look at our future development and ensure we’re staying fresh.
“Like all genres once you think you have the formula and shows don’t differentiate themselves completely from other shows, the audience will tell you you have become complacent. I think that just makes it incumbent on all of us to continue to experiment.”
Telegdy concurred, admitting that NBC is currently working on two or three more talent competition formats after successfully launching Dutch format The Voice in 2011.
He said: “There is more room, I wouldn’t be rushing headlong into another singing show or another talent show but I would never say never in that particular genre. You’re able to tap into some pretty primal entertainment instincts of the consumer at home.
“Just because there has been one successful cop show doesn’t mean you can’t make another cop show.”
There is a fear that there has been perhaps too much of a good thing, with formats like Dancing With The Stars and The Bachelor airing twice a year for many years.
Telegdy admitted that much is being asked of the shows in terms of audience delivery but said they were still paying their way.
“It is in vital health economically. If you took a snap shot across all our competitors the most dollar for dollar profitable part of the business is the alternative business,” he said.
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