Defying Gravity Broadcasting & Cable

Network television is at risk of getting caught in a vicious cycle. As the audience fragments in a million different directions, smaller subsets of that audience see promos for new shows. Then, as new shows draw smaller crowds, even fewer viewers see promos for other programs. The reach of television networks (the total number of viewers who watch for a minute or more once a day) is down a daunting 12 percent in one year. Yet a six percent larger audience has seen the promos for MTV's Viacom networks--even though they're using fewer spots.