Prime-Time Programming in Western Europe

The Wit - World Information Tracking serves the media industry with information and research specializing in international TV markets and programs. Miracle Screenings asked Virginia Mouseler about coming trends in prime-time and how television professionals can follow up these trends round the year.

Virginia Mouseler
CEO
The WIT
France

What are the coming trends in primetime programming in Western Europe ?

The beginning of the 2006-2007 season has been marked by an offer in non fiction and fiction shows that seem to value simplicity, format purity, even freshness of tone. In each program genre, we are back to basics, focusing on the essence of the genre. The significant fact is the increase in the number of game shows in prime time. This time, after "Deal or No Deal", they are no longer general knowledge quiz shows but game shows with clear concept and easy access. Talent contests are still topping the ratings charts. The winning formula is simple: debatable talent, inflexible judges, viewing audience's verdict. The idea is "less reality, more variety". In entertainment television, celebrities are doing the show. They perform in classic variety shows. The beginning of the season has been marked by a stream of ice skating competitions pitting celebrities against each other, and celebrity ballroom dancing hasn't disappeared. Documentaries and docu-reality shows are focusing on body issues. The body is at the center of viewers' preoccupations in documentaries that are scoring high rating figures in the United Kingdom.

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