How TV networks maintain the ratings game

TV shows have been resorting to cheap tricks, conscious inconsistent writing and other gimmickries to keep viewers glued to them. Mostly done because of the ratings game or to salvage a poor-performing program… and obviously, with total disrespect to the intelligence of the televeiwers.

Since the two TV sets in the house are glued to GMA and ABS-CBN, I can only cite examples from them.

The top 5 of these cheap tricks are:

No. 5 – Cliffhangers… Not!

Obviously to keep viewers excited in anticipation for the next episode. The program ends with a major character in tight fix… only to be seen in the following episode unscathed and untouched even, from the cliffhangers he was left-off in the previous episode. Ex. All action-thriller soap operas.

No. 4 – Habitual on-and-off couple relationships

To generate more interest and to instill romance in the show, two main characters would suddenly find themselves falling for each other. And to add appeal to emotion, you can be very sure that one of the couples is very rich and the other one very poor! Blissful romantic scenes follows, then something happens and they would part ways. Their separate lives however would find ways to bring them back together again… only to part ways again some other time… and be back together again. It all depends really on how long the show runs. Ex. Marimar, Dyesebel (GMA), My Girl (ABS-CBN)

No. 3 – Villains on Reality Shows

No matter how real they claim to be, reality shows follow certain script. Management needs to create interest in the show for the advertisements to pour in. That is why they decide who goes out or who stays in. Ever wonder why that character that seem to be out-of-control often, the one that nobody can easily get along with, stays longer in the show? Because, they can always stir the show and create conflicts and interests, much to the delight of the management. Again, ratings game. Ex. Pinoy Idol (GMA), Pinoy Dream Academy & Pinoy Big Brother (ABS-CBN)

No. 2 – Back from the dead

People who were supposed to be dead, suddenly come back in the show. And it’s not even Halloween yet. This plot that has been widely abused by writers is happening more often than we notice. A convincingly death scene, like a fire or an accident, involving a major character, is twisted with the character being shown again, alive. More often than not, without any clear explanation. They just want it at that. Ex. Codenamed: Asero (GMA),

No. 1 – “Next Week on… “ Teaser lies

“Come back tomorrow, I’ll tell you everything” This is what those Next Week teasers is trying to say to make televiewers come back for more. Showing what seems to be an interesting scene that appears to be a great impact on show, is shown on the next week teaser. Only to be frustrated because that scene actually has no impact on the program. Ex.Most afternoon soap operas in all networks.

Ratings will always be the name of the game. This is the basis of the advertisers in putting their money on the show. And the show producers know it all too well. For the viewers, they really don't care about it. What matters are the excitements they get from the show. This type of selling TV programs and products will stay for good. It has always been the same since time immemorial.