Fred Silverman Addresses Future of Network Television

An introduction was not necessary in welcoming Fred Silverman to the stage Wednesday at Syracuse University.

Silverman is the only man to have managed programming for the three major television networks, ABC, NBC and CBS.

Known as the “man with the golden gut”, Silverman spoke with Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes, to discuss the past, present and future of network television.

“It's like a brave new world out there”, Silverman said, “There are so many new choices”.

Silverman spoke about a combination of the Internet and network television, which would consist of variations on broadcast and cable themes.

While movement toward the Internet is in the future, economic struggles are greatly effecting the number of hit shows networks produce, Silverman said.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to make a buck”, Silverman said, “If you want to go for a hit, you've got to take a chance, roll the dice”.

Large networks are reluctant to take that chance, and continue to stick with carbon copies of previously successful shows.

Networks are programming fewer scripted shows about the realities of today, and are continuing to program shows that replicate what is already on television, Silverman said.

“You don't see any of that”, Silverman said, “There's got to be more to the hour than police, doctors and lawyers”.

If networks do not begin to make that transition from what is safe, to what makes the buyer happy, they will soon find themselves to be “just another one of the guys”, Silverman said.

(Photo courtesy of www.syracuse.com)