Is a half-hour TV show too long for today's viewers?
Cecile Frot-Coutaz
Executive producer, American Idol
I believe that people want to sit back and enjoy a well-told story. And creating a strong, emotional one with compelling characters takes time. If the two-hour premiere of American Idol can deliver 35émillion viewers, I would say traditional TV still has the potential to aggregate viewers in a way no other medium can.
Jennifer Feikin
Director, Google Video
The question should really be, Where do people want to watch a 30-minute TV show? If we're at home, kicking back in front of the tube, we're often content to watch a half-hour show. We often prefer even longer ones. But if we're waiting for the subway and grabbing a quick peek at our cell phones, we're more likely looking for a short clip.
Brian Graden
President of entertainment, MTV Networks Music Group
When MTV launched 25 years ago, nobody thought that music videos would work. While short-form is in our blood, we've since learned that our viewers crave longer narratives, too - the music video didn't replace the sitcom. Ultimately, as long as the story you have to tell is compelling and fresh and original, it doesn't matter what format you use - Brokeback Mountain was powerful as both a short story and a two-hour film.
START
ping
The Best: Sci-Fi Concept Albums
Inflating China's Olympic Bubble
Scan My Guest List, Not My Genes
