Wednesday, April 03, 2013

Making Reality TV a Reality


             The WIFV DC reality programming event is insightful.  There are Food Network and Cooking Channel producers on the panel.  A little backstory: Food Network is the parent station. It owns the Cooking Channel which will be 3 years old this May 31st (I still miss the Fine Living Channel). The Food Network is purely entertainment with food serving as the platform. Conversely, the Cooking Channel is the hipper station catering to 20 and 30 year olds.  In addition, the Cooking Channel has converted some webisodes (Bitchin’ Kitchen) into TV shows.  The panel admitted that Bitchin’ Kitchen is too edgy for its more mature Food Network clientele. 
            This event has taught me so much about gaining traction and creating a following.  Everyone is saying the importance of marketing your uniqueness on multiple platforms.  TV is the ‘second screen’ because a number of consumers watch their TV elsewhere besides a screen.  The problem with web content is that it is unedited and niche.  Regardless of format, having a great story is the biggest selling point.  I’ll keep working on my craft by enrolling in the Writer Center’s How to Write A Lot course in two weeks.
            There is only one downside: all of these pushy vegans!  Even when the Food Network executive tells them that vegan audience isn’t wide enough for advertising, people still keep asking about writing TV pilots.  Over 90% of the world eats meat! Next, I am so tired of these people that I run out of the meeting straight to the downtown DC Palm Steakhouse where I order the Prime Steak Burger. 

Palm Steakhouse Prime Steak Burger with Bleu Cheese and French Fries




Suck it vegans!

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