Post by Brett Hart on Mar 23, 2006 6:18:19 GMT 10
Spike TV informed TNA this week that it is shifting its timeslot on Thursdays next month to 11 p.m. rather than 9 p.m. It moves them out of what is traditionally thought of as "prime time" and into the same timeslot they're now in on Saturdays.
The decision was made by Spike TV officials after analyzing the demographics of the ratings for CSI, which was scheduled to be TNA's lead-in. CSI draws good ratings, but not in the demographic that is likely to stay tuned to TNA. As a result, TNA would have to bring in its entire audience rather than also draw from a strong lead-in.
With the new 11 p.m. timeslot, Impact will follow The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) series, which is expected to draw not only strong numbers in the 1.5-2.0 range each week, but match closely the proven demographics of what TNA draws. In the short-run, TNA is likely to draw bigger ratings because of the timeslot change, and thus be in better standing with Spike TV when opportunities arise to expand, move earlier, or shift to a different day in true prime time.
Spike's new "Pros vs. Joes" series, featuring Bill Goldberg, drew a strong 1.3 rating in its debut because it had the lead-in of a UFC-branded show. UFC's The Ultimate Fighter drew its initial strong ratings by following Raw and drawing from its massive-for-cable audience in January 2005. TNA Impact is still considered an emerging show by Spike TV without the built-in audience to draw its peak ratings without a strong lead-in.
When The Ultimate Fighter reality series, which resembles Tough Enough, but with MMA fighters instead of pro wrestling trainees, ends in 12 weeks, it's likely that Impact would be moved into full-fledged prime time - 10 p.m. Thursday nights - if it has been drawing strong ratings in the 11 p.m. timeslot.
Thursday nights are also a much better night in general than Saturday nights, so even though the timeslot isn't changing, the new night should make a big difference in the potential audience level. Having TUF as a lead-in should boost the rating even more.
TNA officials reacted negatively to the move at first because they had their hearts set on being in traditional "prime time." However, the move is seen by others at both TNA and Spike TV as being better for the promotion in both the short-run and long-run. It's also possible that when TUF's season ends in 12 weeks, not only will TNA Impact be moved to start earlier in TUF's timeslot at 10 p.m., but it could get that coveted second hour it ultimately needs to not only feature established, known names, but also develop new stars who will be main eventing when the crew of fortysomethings they're building around now are ready to be replaced. How TNA Impact draws at 11 p.m. for the next 12 weeks will have a major influence on the future make-up of the industry.
The decision was made by Spike TV officials after analyzing the demographics of the ratings for CSI, which was scheduled to be TNA's lead-in. CSI draws good ratings, but not in the demographic that is likely to stay tuned to TNA. As a result, TNA would have to bring in its entire audience rather than also draw from a strong lead-in.
With the new 11 p.m. timeslot, Impact will follow The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) series, which is expected to draw not only strong numbers in the 1.5-2.0 range each week, but match closely the proven demographics of what TNA draws. In the short-run, TNA is likely to draw bigger ratings because of the timeslot change, and thus be in better standing with Spike TV when opportunities arise to expand, move earlier, or shift to a different day in true prime time.
Spike's new "Pros vs. Joes" series, featuring Bill Goldberg, drew a strong 1.3 rating in its debut because it had the lead-in of a UFC-branded show. UFC's The Ultimate Fighter drew its initial strong ratings by following Raw and drawing from its massive-for-cable audience in January 2005. TNA Impact is still considered an emerging show by Spike TV without the built-in audience to draw its peak ratings without a strong lead-in.
When The Ultimate Fighter reality series, which resembles Tough Enough, but with MMA fighters instead of pro wrestling trainees, ends in 12 weeks, it's likely that Impact would be moved into full-fledged prime time - 10 p.m. Thursday nights - if it has been drawing strong ratings in the 11 p.m. timeslot.
Thursday nights are also a much better night in general than Saturday nights, so even though the timeslot isn't changing, the new night should make a big difference in the potential audience level. Having TUF as a lead-in should boost the rating even more.
TNA officials reacted negatively to the move at first because they had their hearts set on being in traditional "prime time." However, the move is seen by others at both TNA and Spike TV as being better for the promotion in both the short-run and long-run. It's also possible that when TUF's season ends in 12 weeks, not only will TNA Impact be moved to start earlier in TUF's timeslot at 10 p.m., but it could get that coveted second hour it ultimately needs to not only feature established, known names, but also develop new stars who will be main eventing when the crew of fortysomethings they're building around now are ready to be replaced. How TNA Impact draws at 11 p.m. for the next 12 weeks will have a major influence on the future make-up of the industry.
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It is not a bad news, oposit to what others may say. But still I am looking forward for TNA Impact to get to prime time slot!
