Why do police procedural shows still work on network TV

From Law & Order to NCIS to Chicago franchise and others... Detective shows have been on our TV screens for decades. The plot is usually simple: a crime happens, detectives investigate and in the last few minutes of the episode the crime is solved. For the 80s and 90's standards, it was enough to satisfy an audience that did not mind ads in the middle. This is not the case anymore as trends have changed and with many more streaming services and channels, people have more shows to choose from that are not interrupted by ads. This post will address why is network TV still interested in producing crime shows and whether it'll change in any near future.

1. It is still good entertainment.

Although crime dramas that air on network TV are not the most exciting genre, it is good enough for a Friday night. The majority of the shows are not serialised, meaning that you don't have to watch an entire season to catch up with the latest episode to understand it. The show can get intriguing at times when one of the good guys ends up being the criminal. So if you're looking for something simple that you can just jump on, a crime drama show can be it!

2. Production costs.

When it comes to the production of crime shows, there are a few key points that need to be discussed. Many shows still follow the pattern of 22 episodes a year. Of course, it still takes time to write, shot and edit the episodes, even if the production doesn't require as much green screen and special effects as other productions. There is also the matter of ad revenues as well as viewership that for network TV is crucial. So it does not sound cheap, yet it is still cheaper compared to shows on Netflix or Apple that pay more costs for shorter seasons. This attracts many actors who have no interest in making 22 episodes a year which can be an issue in network productions. Network TV works in opposed ways to a streaming service with more limitations and standards. This is also why it is cheaper and easier to produce a crime show than a serialised one. Here comes the matter of syndication; serialised shows are harder to syndicate.

Yet there have been many changes happening in network TV. People do not like the ads popping every few mins and prefer to DVR the show and watch it at a later time. Based on the Nielsen ratings, it is clear that the live numbers are dropping, yet the DVR numbers are still good enough for the network to make profits. Producing 13 episodes a year is also becoming a new form that attracts more actors. With FOX dropping the majority of scripted shows after its Disney merger, the other four networks are still interested in productions despite lower ratings.

3. They are part of history.

From iconic Miami Vice to record-breaking Law and Order franchise, these shows have shaken the TV industry and left a permanent stamp on it. The original Law & Order was cancelled in 2010 after 20 seasons and has returned recently for its 21st season. The very first spin-off of the original L&O: Special Victims Unit, is the longest live-action series of all time and the latest spin-off Organized crime is also a great addition to the universe.

With constant changes happening in the industry, it is hard to predict what will happen next. Crime drama shows have been with us for a long time. They still make a profit because there's still an audience. Peacock, a new streaming service that belongs to NBC has a rich library full of NBC's old hits like the original Law & Order. The three shows of the franchise are currently airing on Thursdays, while Chicago Franchise brings good ratings on a Wednesday night. CBS follows a similar path with its schedule. The networks tried many times to be more 'trendy' and introduce serialised shows but it simply does not work in the longer term.

In conclusion, it does not seem that networks will give up on crime shows soon. And that is a good thing!