Steve Sternberg
MediaPost
Hoboken, NJ, United States
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Past articles by Steve:
Does Pre-Season Buzz Really Matter? 05/10/2021
Prior to the 2020-21 TV season, I released an annual report examining the impact of pre-season buzz on new TV shows. Each time my conclusion has been the same: despite some notable exceptions, there is no correlation between the level of pre-season buzz a show receives and whether it becomes successful once it premieres. In this week's edition, I provide a post-pandemic update, but here's a… → Read More
The Brief History Of Ad-Supported Cable Dramas
Even though the bulk of their schedules consist of other types of programming, several ad-supported cable networks have been extremely effective in branding themselves with original scripted drama. Some other cable networks have tried integrating occasional original dramas into their lineups with limited success. In this week's report, I analyze the brief history of ad-supported cable dramas. → Read More
Traditional TV Still Rules, But Other Screens Are Catching Up
In this week's report, I examine the progress of traditional TV and alternative media devices used to watch TV (computers, smartphones, OTT devices, gaming consoles, etc.). Traditional TV still rules, but inroads are being made among the alternatives, especially with certain types of viewers. → Read More
Comic Cons Provide Strong Marketing Platforms For TV, Movies
In this week's edition of The Sternberg Report, I provide a history of the major Comic Cons, and assess their role in marketing TV programming and movies. Including a recap of the TV panels at 2018's San Diego and New York Comic Con. → Read More
Evaluating The New Fall Shows
In this week's "The Sternberg Report," I'm sharing my thoughts on a variety of things, including my evaluations for the new fall TV series, the networks' promotional follies, and how to make the major awards shows -- the Emmys and Oscars -- more viewer-friendly. → Read More
Does Pre-Season Buzz Really Matter?
In this week's "The Sternberg Report," I evaluate the new TV series with the most pre-season buzz. The charts in this week's edition show new, ad-supported original scripted series on broadcast and cable since 2001 and compares the shows that received the most pre-season buzz to those that were actually successful during their initial season. Going into the 2018-19 primetime TV season, I'm… → Read More
6-Second Commercials Are Dumb
Any time TV networks try to change ad formats or lengths, there is one basic reason: money. If a network can charge half of a 30-second commercial for something that is only six seconds, they can reduce ad clutter and become significantly more profitable. → Read More
The Best Fall-Season Pilots
Here's my take on this year's crop of new fall pilots -- not predictions on which will be hits and misses, but rather which ones I liked the most, and which have the most potential if promoted properly. → Read More
Will Less Clutter, Shorter Commercial Pods Matter?
Is reducing commercial loads part of the answer to making TV advertising more effective? NBC and FOX seem to think so. → Read More
The Upfronts: Only Place to Hear the Truth?
The broadcast network upfront presentations getting underway this week are more important than ever. Where else can we hear the truth - that broadcast networks still have by far more original scripted series and more stars than any other video source? Or, that virtually all of the top 50 highest-rated entertainment shows (AMC's "The Walking Dead" notwithstanding) are on broadcast television? → Read More
Despite Weak Promotion, People Still Like Watching Broadcast TV
Despite Weak Promotion, People Still Like Watching Broadcast TV - 04/23/2018 → Read More
The 6 Best TV Shows For The #MeToo Era
The 6 Best TV Shows For The #MeToo Era - 04/12/2018 → Read More
Is 'Roseanne' The New 'All In The Family'?
The 'Roseanne" reboot just debuted on ABC with something we haven't seen in a long time for a regular series: real blockbuster ratings. → Read More
The Strength Of Broadcast TV
As the prime-time broadcast TV season winds down, we are starting to see headlines about which network is going end up in first place. But does it really matter which network "wins," when none of them can muster even a 2.0 average rating among adults 18-49 or 25-54, and less than half a rating point separates first and fourth place? → Read More
'Jessica Jones' Represents Everything Good About Netflix
"Jessica Jones" presents a strong, brooding, independent woman on her own, who plays by her own rules. She's flawed, she swears, she drinks too much - the type of female character you rarely if ever see on broadcast or ad-supported cable. → Read More
'Jessica Jones' Represents Everything Good About Netflix
It's hard to believe Netflix's first original scripted drama ("House of Cards") debuted just five years ago this month. Since then, the streaming service has brought us some of the very best series on television. One of these, Marvel's "Jessica Jones," will have its second season available for streaming (in my case, bingeing) on March 8. → Read More
Things I Realized While Watching The Super Bowl
Among them: NFL football is still the best TV sport. It doesn't matter if Netflix original movies are good. → Read More
How to Make The Oscars More Viewer-Friendly
Every year I look forward to watching the Academy Awards (which airs this year on March 4). And every year I ask myself the same question: "Is it always this boring?" I invariably find myself answering "yes." And every year I forget the previous year's telecast and look forward to the show all over again. → Read More
The Problem With Anonymous Sources
Anonymous sources are essential for a free press to effectively shine a light on a government deception. Without them, we never would have exposed Watergate and other important scandals, and crimes. But it is appropriate to use anonymous sources to comment on less significant matters? → Read More
Netflix (And Original Content) Still Rules
Netflix (And Original Content) Still Rules - 12/15/2017 → Read More