Peak “Peak TV”
We’re still living in peak TV times, as the number of new scripted US TV series hit a record high in 2022, with another 599 added to the ever-growing television trove.
In some heartening news for viewers with mile-long watchlists and friends who won't stop recommending shows that both of you know you'll never watch, FX’s chairman John Landgraff thinks we may have finally hit the true peak of “peak TV”, though it's worth noting that he's been wrong about calling the peak twice before.
Network issues
However, as we find ourselves floating down the seemingly endless stream of TV via the multitude of subscription services now available, traditional networks in the US are struggling to keep their viewing figures afloat.
Viewership for 19 of the top 20 networks fell last year, with ABC, NBC and CBS seeing their viewing numbers drop 6%, 7% and 8%, respectively, suggesting that traditional TV is struggling to compete in the age of streaming, with some outlets having to half-jokingly remind readers that network dramas still exist.
Interestingly, sporting giant ESPN was the only network in the top 20 to record higher viewing figures in 2022, up some 14%, confirming the narrative among TV execs that live sport remains one of the biggest pulls in all of entertainment. No surprises then that big tech is looking to muscle in on sports rights, with YouTube's $14bn NFL deal, Apple's tie-up with the MLS and Amazon's ambition to build a standalone app for its sports coverage, which includes football, tennis, soccer and baseball.
