The CTV produced show The Listener has become an international hit; so much so that Fox International asked for a second season soon after its premier, something which is rare because international distributors are usually only marginally involved in renewal decisions. Conversely, the show has struggled to find an audience in the United States. Why television shows do well in one place and fail in another is an interesting topic because it informs us that quality is only one of many factors in determining a show’s fate. There are many shows which fail despite their high quality and many which succeed despite their low quality.
The Luck Factor – American Idol
The successes and failures of a show can be analyzed forever, but the truth is that some shows are just lucky. They have the right promotion and premiere in the right place, at the right time, when the right audience is watching. This article does not mean to argue that a show’s quality doesn’t matter. The success of Mad Men isn’t due to a cult 60’s era fan base, it has a fantastic script. The truth however, is that there are many other factors involved in a show’s success as well.
The Culture Factor – Flashpoint
