I mean they obviously keep track of their online episode viewing for their own site, and I hear that FOX is pretty tapped in to the buzz online for their shows. Have to wonder if this will track on their radar that something is amiss in programming land, considering tons of people are downloading their shows in spite of people having trouble tuning in live.

Networks typically seem to do the opposite, pairing strong with weak (or new) and hoping that sampling of the weaker makes it stronger. I’m not sure they do this with any real quantitative back up other than “that’s always the way its been done”.

On the other hand Robert and I both believe that the CW has abandoned the shows it has programmed on Fridays this season (Everybody Hates Chris, The Game), and put them there to wither together, so perhaps that strategy will catch on

I think the big BitTorrent numbers for those two shows are relatively recent. I was certainly following those numbers earlier this year to the extent I’m following them now and I don’t recall big numbers for them alerting me.

Bill, I’d like to see Terminator paired with Fringe or even Bones. I really don’t think PB viewers watch Terminator, or vice versa. Neither of those shows helps the other.

That said, I was wondering what you guys think of the news that both PB and Terminator are doing crazy download numbers on bittorrent right now. Fans catching up on missed shows because they watched football? Or has this always been happening and it’s the first I’m hearing of it?

Those are my thoughts exactly. What’s up with all of the geek shows going head to head? It is probably safe to say that Fox would let TSCC run its course in the time slot unless it comes up with something that targets a vastly different audience.

Regarding Fringe: since it is drawing such high numbers, do you think that Fox would consider flipping it with TSCC as an experiment? Or, do you think they won’t want to risk it? Is it too soon to say that Fringe can sail on its own?

I’m sure Fringe benefited from the House lead-in, though it drew an additional 5.5+ million in the encore Sunday night, and against an NFL game (although an NFL game that averaged a few million less viewers than Monday night), but it’s still the case that the Sunday *repeat* airing of Fringe got more viewers than Monday night’s new airing of TSCC.

I will be surprised if TSCC doesn’t get to air/produce all 13 episodes. I would not be all that surprised if it’s bumped and jerked around and penciled in here and there with long pauses and schedule changes. Sort of like Men in Trees on ABC last year

There aren’t anymore blockbuster Fox scripted shows to follow and their existing Fall schedule (weak or strong, your mileage may vary) is pretty consistently programmed.

Mon-Wed scripted shows, Thu-Sat all unscripted, Sun football postgame + cartoons

The problem is I don’t see FOX doing much for it’s Monday night shows. Fringe benefited immensely from the carry over from House. There’s no way an extra five million tuned in from word of mouth, it was just new viewers who kept watching after House. Terminator would have done well with a good drama in front of it to help generate new viewers.

Robert, what do you think the chances are of FOX moving TSCC? Or do you think they’ll just let it sink or swim where it’s at? Also, what does FOX have that actually COULD compete with MNF? Would they really want to risk one of their top shows by moving it to Monday night, or chance a new show in that spot? Or do you think they might be content to let TSCC and PB float along and be place holders that’ll try to keep them in second place (18-49yr) for the night? I’m trying to figure if they’ll at least let TSCC have it’s 13 ep run before deciding what to do.

Last nights episode reminded me of a poorly made episode of AIRWOLF – Season 4 – the both had cheesy episodes involving a nuclear power plant. And thats saying alot. RTN is currently airing Season 4 of AIRWOLF – which was stunning in its awfulness – they killed off the old cast, used only recycled helicopter footage and it was made in Canada. Another comparison would be the final season of the A-TEAM also recently aired on RTN – the season 5 was so bad that when they did a reunion a couple of years ago – nothing about it was ever mentioned and none of the extra actors for that season were invited. The Season 5 theme song was so horrifying there arent words to describe it. Ok, TSCC isnt as bad as those 2 shows swan songs —— yet. Hopefully it will at least get better and go out with some class when the axe falls.

If I am the executive of Fox,
I will keep TSCC and move it to another night and announce this is the last season of PB/

Im just hoping CW stays afloat so I can continue to watch Gossip GIrl. (Oh..and I also love GG way more than OTH …but happy for both since it means CW doing okay…

i noticed after.. oh well i like both shows anyway!