Digital Dish

Happy First Anniversary!

March 18, 2009 2:32 PM

I can’t believe it’s been a year since I first expanded my work into television business. It seems like it was 100 years ago (and that I’m 100 years older!) since I made the move.

It’s a lot harder to create and sell a TV show than it is an Internet site. Not to say making money via either is easy.

Was it really only a year ago that I marveled at terms like “showrunner” and “leave behind?” I can still remember my first meeting at a network, A&E in New York. To this day, the VP and I still keep in touch. It seems like we should be talking about our grandchildren by now.

Has the television industry aged me? I think it has. It has certainly taught me a lot of new things about entrepreneurship.

In this town, business is very focused on revenue and power lies more in the hands you don’t see than the ones you do.

Overall, I think our projects have fared OK so far. Several networks and production companies have said they’d like to continue working with us and there’s a lot of interest in the different things I’m working on. That’s one similarity I can say definitely exists between the broadcast and broadband worlds: Nothing’s done until a deal is signed and the check has cleared.

I admit I actually really like working in the business now. The process is difficult, but I understand it far better today (which makes things a little easier). I definitely see the center of the industry and who you need to know to get things done. I’m trying to make it there!

I don’t even think the tight perimeters and strongholds on the market are a big deal anymore. All you have to do is understand that they’re there and build your project accordingly. After one year, I think I’m closer to all of this than I’ve ever been.

Hollywood, I love you.