Explain whether or not there is a potential for merchandising based on your show and what kinds of merchandise.

MEDIA BUSINESS – TELEVISION PROPOSAL
For this assignment, you need to imagine that you are a television producer making a pitch to one of the 4 major television networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX). You will need to craft a pitch for a scripted, fictional television series. That means it can’t be any type of a news program or reality show. It needs to be a scripted show, falling into one of the usual genres one sees on TV: comedy, drama, cop show, action/adventure, lawyer show, doctor show, science fiction, etc. As you make the pitch for this show, you need to make an argument not just – and not even primarily – for the artistic merits of your show but why it is that a network should invest millions of dollars into giving you the chance to make this series. You need to make a strong business argument for why it is a profitable investment for a network to take a chance on your idea.
To that end, you paper must include the following elements:
30 POINTS: Give a brief description of your show’s premise. What will it be about? Also briefly describe why this premise has the potential to draw audience interest for years. Mention whether or not there are other similar shows on TV and why the presence or absence of similar programs is good for the chances of your show’s long-term survival. Also give a brief historical analysis of how your type of show has been successful before on TV. But if you are proposing to bring back a dormant genre, something that hasn’t been seen in many years – private investigators, guest-celebrity-of-the-week shows – make a strong argument for why this is the right time to attempt the resurrection of this genre.
20 POINTS: Give a brief description of the main characters audiences will see week after week. Make an argument for why these characters will draw a demographic of viewers who will be attractive for advertisers. So explain who your main target audience is and why they will tune in to watch a show with the kinds of characters populating your series.
10 POINTS: Describe at least 3 advertisers you see placing ads on your show. DO NOT list organizations paying to place public service announcements. List 3 companies selling products that will advertise on your program.
20 POINTS: Explain whether or not there is a potential for merchandising based on your show and what kinds of merchandise. For example: action figures, clothes, jewelry, perfume, posters, etc.
10 POINTS: Is there any multimedia potential for your program? For example, can you at one point create spin-offs of the show? Can you make a theatrical film based on it? Can you create video games based on your show? Can you sell soundtrack music? Or describe any other ways that you can make money off your show in other media.
10 POINTS: Are there any regulatory problems that could possibly come up because of this show or might anything be objectionable about it that could draw boycotts and pressure campaigns from special interest groups?
This paper should be 5 to 6 pages long, double spaced, using Times Roman 12 point font. Use 1 inch margins and DO NOT leave extra spaces between paragraphs. Email me this paper by the end of the day on February 12.

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