Viewer Discretion Advised: How Freedom Given to Exclusive Television Networks Enhances Audiences Perception
Date
2015-12-08
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Abstract
The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, The Affair, Shameless: these are just a few award-winning original series found on membership exclusive television networks, such as HBO and Showtime. These exclusive networks are given more freedom in censorship, funding, and promotion, which allows for content that audiences tend to favor in recent years, as seen in ratings and awards. Game of Thrones recently took away NBC’s The West Wing’s record of the most Emmys won in a year, surpassing the NBC series’ 9 awards with 12 wins for the HBO original series. Despite being exclusive membership television shows, Showtime and HBO produce award-winning original series that surpass basic cable networks, such as NBC, ABC, and CBS. I believe that there is a correlation between membership exclusive television networks and audiences’ favorable perception of their original series. This correlation, which can be seen at award shows such as the Emmys, leads the Big Three Networks to strive to make their shows as progressive and enticing as those on subscription-based television networks.
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Freedom in production, Membership-exclusive television networks, Subscription-based television networks, Television, progressive, Emmy Awards, Television, Television networks