So why do I have such a bug up my ass about TBS? Because I think the decisions a person makes and the actions they take matter.
Look at the way TBS treats it's viewers. Now look at the shows that TBS offers. I don't think it's a coincidence that the best shows on TBS are ones they buy from other networks.
It's a little before my time, but in researching TBS I came across something called Turner Time.
On June 29, 1981, TBS began to use "Turner Time". While other television offerings generally began at the top and bottom of each hour, TBS decided to begin airing programs five minutes later, at :05 and :35.By using "Turner Time," TBS programs were listed under their own time entry in TV Guide, thus enabling the program listings to catch potential viewers' eyes more readily. It also encouraged channel surfers who could not find anything interesting to watch at the top of the hour, to still be able to watch a TBS program without missing the first few minutes. Most importantly from a strategic standpoint, since shows ended five minutes later than normal, the off-time scheduling usually encouraged viewers to continue watching TBS rather than flip to watch another program already in progress.
TBS started to cut back Turner Time in 1997 and scrapped it completely by 2000. TBS now schedules programs conventionally, at the top and bottom of the hour.
This is a network that has never been willing bet on the quality of their shows. They're betting on gimmicks and that their viewers would trapped into "watching TBS rather than flip to watch another program already in progress."
A lot of people want to work in TV. If you're one of them, where do you want to work? HBO on The Wire or the Sopranos? Fox on Family Guy or maybe at FX on The Shield? Or do you want to get up every morning and drive to TBS to try and figure out new ways to trick viewers into watching sub par shows?
TBS isn't some alien collective making decisions from orbit. TBS is a collection of people who everyday have the choice to make one decision or another. And so far I'm not too impressed with their track record.
But why does all this matter? Because I think the decisions a person makes and the actions they take matter. I've worked for companies I didn't believe in on projects I didn't like. I came home every night feeling like shit and I hated waking up in the morning. It was a pretty miserable existence. And when it came time to make those kinds of decisions, the "do we institute our version of Turner Time," I was too apathetic to fight for the right choice and that just reinforced the fact that I didn't believe in whatever company I was working for.
I guess if you're two years from retirement then none of this matters (but thanks for reading). But if you're still young enough to believe that you go to work for more than a paycheck, then TBS is a good lesson. Most of you are going to be (if you're not already) in a position to make decisions at some point. And not bullshit, should be we order blue pens or black pens decisions. You're going to be able to direct the direction have a real say in the direction of, if not your company, at least your group within the company. And you're going to have people under you who are responsible to carry out the decisions you make. So which route do you choose? Do you fight to create the next Wire or do you institute Turner Time to keep people watching?
There's always going to be pressure to take the short-term view. To "Turner Time" the decisions. It's harder to fight for what's right. Sometimes it's hard to know what's right. So you need to know who you are and think these things through before you are faced with the decision.
And that's why I have such a bug up my ass about TBS. Because at the end of the day, it's a decision as to whether I'm going to wake up and do something I believe in or wake up and do something for the paycheck.
Posted by Ben Corman at 9:30 PM