Out West, the TCA is underway. This is where TV network executives, producers and stars talk about their new projects in front of the assembled press. Jason Lynch over at Adweek is documenting the goings on in Pasadena. And we just got some interesting details from CNBC’s presentation. The network, best known for its financial and markets coverage during the day, is doubling down on primetime series.
The network has given the green light to several new shows, including “Blue Collar Millionaires,” a docu-series that profiles big personalities who’ve gotten rich by getting their hands dirty. (We’re thinking “Duck Dynasty” meets “Honey Boo Boo.”)
Also, “Restaurant Confidential: New York,” which follows hot and not-so-hot spots as they compete to survive; “Make Me a Millionaire Inventor,” where a team of mechanical engineers scour patent archives for big ideas; “The West Texas Investors Club,” which features members of an unconventional VC group; and “Back in the Game,” which pairs struggling ex-athletes with financially savvy mentors. That show counts Michael Strahan as its Executive Producer. Yes, Strahan now works for Fox, ABC and CNBC. He’s the Seacrest of sports personalities.
CNBC has seen great success in primetime with reruns of “Shark Tank” and its original series “The Profit,” which will be back for another season. In 2014, CNBC’s had its best primetime since 2001, up +48% in the A25-54 demo vs. 2013.
But daytime, once the bread and butter of the channel, is losing viewers at a rapid clip. In business day, 9:30a-5pmET, CNBC delivered its lowest rated year since 1995 among total viewers and its lowest rated year in the demo since 1992.