Television Formats: Primetime Staple, Global Market

The last decade has witnessed the growth of TV formats such as Big Brother or The X Factor, developed in one market and sold internationally for local adaptation. This article reveals the scale and significance formatted television content has attained, drawing on a case study analysis of US schedules from the 2007–2008 broadcast season. The high share of formatted programming found in primetime schedules (an average of 33% of broadcast hours) becomes understandable in light of the context and the advantages formats have for broadcasters and producers. The findings suggest that the franchising of content, both expression and outcome of television's commercial saturation, will continue to play a crucial role in TV schedules around the world. This franchising will contribute to the convergence of television globally, not just structurally but also in terms of concrete, albeit locally modified, content.