LFTVD - Long for TV Drama

Network Television:

• US network broadcasters must satisfy their advertisers and hold market share. They are also controlled by federal regulation. 
• The impact of this on content is a reliance on highly formalised genre conventions and normative values which meet mainstream audience expectations but generate conservative drama. 

Cable Television: 

• launched in the 1970s, HBO was the first US national subscription cable TV channel. 
• other major US players include FX, Showtime & AMC. Many are subsidiaries of media conglomerates 
• these subscription based cable channels can take more risks with content and form. 
• by early 2000s The Sopranos and The Wire won awards, audiences and created "water cooler" TV.

UK TV Drama 

• UK broadcasters have failed to meet the challenge of the US cable channels move to long form with their risk - taking content and style.
• BBC and ITV 90s - relied on genre-based, formula drama.
• Sky co-opted success of US long form with Sky Atlantic. 
• commissioning remains tightly controlled with a conservative outlook. 

Subscription VOD (viewing on demand)

• content viewing via a TV still dominates in the UK.
• 3/4 UK households have PVR (personal video recording) uptake but it has plateaued. 
• use of time shift is increasing - you can use it whenever you want 
• growth of SVOD (streaming video on demand). we based channels such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and NOW TV is considerable. 
• Netflix dominates with 24% of UK market & 5 million subscribers, 10% growth 2015-16

Audiences: 

• rise in binge watching started with DVD in late 90s/early C21 - partially due to syndication problem in the UK. 
• a move from "water cooler" to "shared universe" fandom (as with cinema)
• US long form drama often uses Easter eggs, and mid-season breaks to generate fan intensity and maintain a media profile. 

Why audiences love LFTVD: 

• high quality drama 
• multiple episodes, hours, years. 
• content can be dark and difficult but innovative. 
• it now attracts some of the best and innovative writers and actors.
• time shifting, easily accessible. 
• keeps people invested. 
• lots of creativity.
• characters and themes change and develop 
• lots of different networks complete. 
• the show can cater to specific taste. 

"State of Nation" TV

• LFTVD challenged the simplistic story line and stereotypical characters that dominates network TV in US. 
• Cultural Zeitgeist.

Genres: LFTVD can fit into any ( comedy, horror, thriller, mystery, drama, crime)

Themes: also can fit into any (relationships, murder power, war, coming of age, family)

Narratives: can have a vast variety of all different worlds which are completely different to normality. 

Characters: relatable and interesting to watch, engaging so they are watched over long period. 

Production Values: good ones usually range from 4 million to 5 million per episode. 

Methods/Platforms: either on terrestrial TV, cable TV, subscriptions, streaming. 

State of Nation: escapist for the viewers, not usual to their everyday life. 

Memes/Accessories: these can determine how popular the series is with the youth. 

TV Drama need: 

• various locations
• stock characters - complex, able to follow for a long period of time 
• multiple narratives.
• 1 hour episodes. 
• dramatic cliff hangers - usually at end of season/mind season breaks 
• high production values