Mar 26 2009
11:31am
11:31am
The Homogenization of Television
io9 has an article up about Cartoon Network's new fall lineup, pointing out that several of their new shows aren't cartoons at all, but live action kids shows. Live action... on Cartoon Network...
In the comments section, jccalhoun had this to say:
Cable channel execs are morons. They are changing all the channels that were once focused on a particular niche and turning them all into TNT and USA. CourtTV becomes "Tru", MTV doesn't show videos, G4 shows Cops and Cheaters, the Weather Channel shows programs instead of just running weather forecasts 24-7, Headline News has programs other than just the headlines, SciFi is SyFy, Cartoon Network is showing lots of things besides cartoons, the History Channel showed Planet of the Apes, AMC airs Catwoman. That is just off the top of my head. Why can't channels be what their name says they are?
I just went to TNT's website, the network whose motto is "We Know Drama". The front page of the site identifies TNT as the new official home of the NBA. Navigating through the menus I also found Golf and NASCAR. Sports... on TNT.
What's next, Cop Dramas on Nickelodeon? Decorating shows on Spike? Cartoons on FX?
What the hell is wrong with Television?