Broadcast TV - Poll Recap

You were asked which broadcast network you most regularly watch. These results are going to be interesting, since the average demographic of this blog is presumed to lie between the ages of 18-49, which is also the demographic most sought after by advertisers.

Example: CSI is the most watched scripted (non-reality) show on television. Yet, advertisers would be more inclined towards its Thursday 9pm rival "The Office", which has a very high amount of 18-49 viewers. Thus, CSI's success among old retired people is irrelevant.

ABC - 22%

Understandable, as ABC makes it a point to attract viewers across all demographics. You have "LOST" for all ages, "Grey's Anatomy" for under-30 women, "Scrubs" for twentysomethings, and "Desperate Housewives" for middle-aged homemakers.



CBS- 0%

Interesting result, since CBS is widely known as "America's most watched network." Yet everyone who watches redundant crime procedurals such as "CSI" and its various iterations tends to be older. Young people don't want to see the same solve-a-murder-within-60-minutes TV show each week.


NBC - 33%

This makes the most sense. NBC has shows skewed directly towards the 18-49 demographic, especially its entire Thursday night lineup with "The Office" and "30 Rock." They're too unconventional for older generations, but they fit perfectly with our generations comedy tastes: a mixture of subtle and physical humor with no laugh track. Additionally, shows like "Heroes" and "Chuck" have low overall ratings but are big hits among university age folk.



FOX - 22%


"American Idol" is watched by over 21 million people. FOX brilliantly programs off-beat shows right after the reality juggernaut in order to boost their ratings. This has created a consistent viewership in shows like "House" and "Bones, and more recently, "Fringe." Now if FOX could put "Dollhouse" after Idol next year...And there's always "Family Guy" and "The Simpsons," both beloved by college-age kids.

PBS - 22%

Liars! Just because you want to look smart...

CW - 0%

The only people who watch the CW are college freshman who love "Gossip Girl." And none of them read this blog.

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Obama's Stimulus Plan

Obama is a smart man.

Many people have heard about Obama’s stimulus recovery plan. There are two basic tenets to the plan: (1) the liberal approach – government spends, spends, spends, and (2) the conservative approach – tax cuts. While this is an extremely condensed version, it is fairly accurate.

Obama’s stimulus plan included 300 billion dollars in tax cuts, even though his economic team came out with a report showing that tax cuts are only two-thirds as effective in creating growth as increased spending is. While he had more money going towards spending, it isn’t as much more as one would expect. Why is this?

Over the last couple weeks there has been some public outbursts about his plan. Where did these come from? Republicans? No, but instead they came from Democrats. Mitch McConnell (the Republican Senate Minority Leader) didn’t make a peep. Instead, John Kerry and other Democrats demanded increased spending, especially on “green industry.”

Obama then met with Senate Democrats and agreed to their wishes, giving the appearance of working with the Senate, while improving his plan and still keeping Republicans content with the 300 billion dollars in tax cuts.

This is smart for four reasons:

1) Obama isn't going it alone. People love checks and balances.

2) It will pass through the Senate, I think, fairly easily.

3) If it doesn't pass for some reason, people will blame the Senate.

4) If it passes and then fails when it is implemented, Obama isn't solely responsable.

Have a good day.

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