Executive producer of NBC’s “The Office” Greg Daniels announced Tuesday that the upcoming ninth season will be the show’s last. On paper, it may seem shocking that a show with high ratings and a loyal viewership would call it quits. But viewers and producers know the magic couldn’t last much longer.
Although all 15 characters from season eight will return, the contracts of many are expiring, and the actors have many “exciting opportunities” lined up for after. The producers feel confident that trying to continue the show without key characters would be a disaster, and it’s better to end on a high note.
The final seaspm promises to answer many questions loyal views have been guessing at (sounds like the last season of “Lost”). It may bring in a high viewership, but that will leave NBC’s with a significant viewership gap to fill next fall.
Competition:
The ninth season premieres at Thursday September 20 from 9-9:30PM. It is followed by NBC’s hit comedy “Parks and Recreation.”
So what time slots does this conflict with? According to TVGuide.com ”The Office” airs at the same time as Fox’s “Glee,” CBS’s “Person of Interest,” ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” and the CW’s new “Beauty and The Beast.” Each run an hour long.
It can be argued that these shows cater to much different markets and therefore aren’t in direct competition with one another. And with the popularity of DVRs, the pull on viewer’s preferences would be minimal.
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NBC is owned by General Electric (GE) and therefore a very diluted market play. Glee falls under Fox Entertainment Group’s parent company New Corporation (NWS), also very diluted. The CW Television Network (The CW) is a joint venture with CBS Broadcasting Inc. (CBS) and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (TWX). The American Broadcasting Company, or ABC, is owned by The Walt Disney Company (DIS). Dizzy yet?
The real winner here might be in the streaming media companies like Netflix (NFLX) that carry the earlier seasons. This can easily attract throngs of viewers wanting to catch up with the show.
Compare average analyst recommendations for the TV related stocks mentioned above, including AMC Networks Inc (AMCX).
