Food Network ratings continue to slip after the cable channel cut Paula Deen from its programming lineup, although it’s hard to say whether fan backlash from the decision is to blame, reports Bloomberg Businessweek.
Ratings at Food Network were down in several key segments from June 24 to Oct. 6 when compared with the same time period in 2012. Total viewers slipped 6% during the time frame, and with the 18-49 group, ratings were down 13% in prime time, the piece notes.
The decline could be due to factors other than fan outrage at Deen’s treatment by Food Network, the story notes.
"There’s an ebb and flow to these types of networks,” says Horizon Media Senior Vice President Brad Adgate. “But I think they’re still pretty solid. They are the category leader. They have over a million viewers every night. Advertisers love it. And they’ve invested a lot in new programming. If they put on a couple of shows that click, they’ll be right back.”
Remember when The Food Network was about actual food? Restaurant reviews, cooking demos, meal planning?
Their original core audience – true “foodies” – have ZERO interest in challenges / showdowns / cake wars, or where to get the world’s most obscene belly-bustin’, heart-cloggin’ burger.
Pandering exclusively to the lowest common denominator is more likely why their audience is leaving them.
I agree with foreign correspondent – when did everything food have to become a challenge or contest?
Dani, the answer was above. Everything became a challenge or contest when they realized that they needed bigger numbers and chased the lowest common denominator.
Foreign Correspondent is 100% correct.
sadly, now even their cooking channel is heading down the same wrong path.
COOL!! I make sure to go CLICK.
WOW, I couldn’t have put that better!!
The ratings drop is hardly an effect of some backlash to Ms. Deen’s firing.
The Food Network’s ratings plummet has everything to do with the fact that the channel has neglected its roots, abandoned nearly all of their cooking shows, and made nearly every new show a competition.
Most of the old Food Network audience (and a huge chunk of its stars) are over on sibling channel Cooking Channel, which is more like Food Network than Food Network is now.