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TV's Top Moneymakers: Which Is Your Favorite?

SodaHead TV 2012/04/10 20:00:00
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Ratings play an essential role in a network's decision whether or not to keep a show -- unfortunately, a far greater role than quality (stay strong, "Community"). But ratings are only important for one thing: Ad revenue. That's why shows like "American Idol" and "Dancing With the Stars" go on forever, despite waning critical opinion. People watch the shows, and that attracts money from advertisers.

Forbes recently published a list of the ten biggest money-makers on television -- basically the shows you can expect to survive a nuclear winter. Most shows on the list are either reality talent contests like "American Idol" and "The X Factor" or contemporary comedies like "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory." Drama is mostly limited to "Grey's Anatomy" and "Glee."

The one exception on the list is "Mad Love," which has already been cancelled. The only reason it made the list, according to Forbes, is its time slot between "Two and a Half Men" and "How I Met Your Mother." So maybe ad revenue isn't the final word on television toughness, but it's a strong indicator. Which one of these shows is your favorite?

big bang theory
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Top Opinion

  • Nika 2012/04/10 20:59:38
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Nika
    +9
    Big Bang Theory is really funny and it's the only show up there that I actually watch.

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Opinions

  • Linda D... Kira Ba... 2012/04/12 17:27:09
    Linda Deaton
    I am not a lover of sitcoms, but if I was. I would bring the Golden Girls back.
  • Jimmy Lucky 2012/04/11 22:06:03
    "Glee"
    Jimmy Lucky
    +2
    Glee
    i always smile, laugh, and cry (but not most of the time) as i was Glee over and over again
  • Titi 2012/04/11 22:03:12
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Titi
    +1
    Bazinga! This show is absolutely hilarious! Sheldon and Howard are the best!
  • Aquaduck 2012/04/11 22:02:22
    "Modern Family"
    Aquaduck
    Hell yeah! xD
  • Tennessee3501 2012/04/11 21:38:50
    "American Idol"
    Tennessee3501
    Our family watched it together for years. It was great when Randy, Paula and Simon were the judges.There was a certain chemistry that has not been there since. I like Desperate Housewives today, but I realize it cannot lasf forever!
  • Greenbay 2012/04/11 21:30:29
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Greenbay
    Love da show
  • 2585661 2012/04/11 21:17:32
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    2585661
    +1
    I hate the rest of the shows listed here.
  • Skye 2012/04/11 20:44:46
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Skye
    +2
    SHELDON!!!!!!!!!!!
  • oceangrl Skye 2012/04/11 21:24:53
    oceangrl
    Bazinga!!! LOL
  • dairyshark 2012/04/11 20:42:00
    "Modern Family"
    dairyshark
    Really, isn't reality dead yet? Sitcoms will endure. Anyone who truly love living vicariously through others need a self-check. Live life, don't stand on the sidelines. I can honestly say that there is not any weekly show that I always watch.
  • Gahnzo 2012/04/11 20:32:31
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Gahnzo
    +2
    2 n a half haven't watched since Charlie left. and all the rest I haven't even seen. Nothing there I'd want to watch.. especially DWTS... who the f wants to "watch" other people dancing.. really? that's what goes for entertainment now??? or AI... a group of people who in a year no one will know their names except maybe one that wins it, and even with that.. can anyone name all the winners? Thought not.. and those that can.. well you need to get a life...
  • raine Gahnzo 2012/04/12 01:54:25
    raine
    2 and 1/2 was good right at first when Walden had hair. I would watch. I like longhairs nothing else can get me interested, plus Alan is such an ugly thing.
  • laydeel... Gahnzo 2012/04/12 02:58:34
    laydeelapis
    +1
    Lmao what?? 'Watching other people dance' has been entertainment forever. Ever heard of Isadora Duncan, Cirque du Soleil, the Nutracker ballet??
  • Keyarra 2012/04/11 20:16:28
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Keyarra
    love that show so funny adn im kinda a science nerd lol
  • sharon 2012/04/11 20:03:09
    "Desperate Housewives"
    sharon
    love it second would be modern family
  • Medulla Oblongata 2012/04/11 20:03:06
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Medulla Oblongata
    +1
    Bazinga.
  • allthatjazz 2012/04/11 19:57:32
    "Glee"
    allthatjazz
  • ryan.noh1 2012/04/11 19:08:23
    "Modern Family"
    ryan.noh1
    The big bang theory is an annoying and disgusting gimmick of badly translated memes and subculture set to laugh tracks, I would see one or two highlights and think "lol funny" in a genuine way but then watch the show and see just what they've done, which is pretty much nothing, maybe 15 secs of funny per show, not even worth watching except to think you are taking part in something that isn't even there.
  • Flamingolady 2012/04/11 19:05:15
    "Desperate Housewives"
    Flamingolady
    This and Gray's Anatomy are the only ones we DVR and watch.
  • Linda D... Flaming... 2012/04/12 17:31:05
    Linda Deaton
    How can anyone live a happy life that is a turnoil day in and day out. These type of shows are just another SOAP! They will make you depressed and unhappy in your life.
  • Kibbles 2012/04/11 19:00:10
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Kibbles
    +2
    Love thos crazy nerds(its nice to see a show representing nerds, kind of a biased opinion though seeing as I am one)
  • raine Kibbles 2012/04/12 01:55:41
    raine
    cool i love nerds
  • Kibbles raine 2012/04/12 02:32:20
    Kibbles
    And I am glad to be able to see someone say that.
  • FordCrews 2012/04/11 18:49:18
    "Desperate Housewives"
    FordCrews
    Wow, voted for housewives, because it's the only one remotely funny, bbt being out that far in front, shows we are doomed, and the public education system is a utter failure.
  • jujunme 2012/04/11 18:15:28
    "American Idol"
    jujunme
    I don't watch any of them, chose Idol because it used to be one of my favorites, now i don't watch it at all.
  • kelly 2012/04/11 18:13:12
    "The X Factor"
    kelly
  • DISCO 2012/04/11 18:02:05
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    DISCO
    Was two and half men until charlie started WINNING. Guess I will wait for ANGER MANAGEMENT
  • Edie 2012/04/11 17:53:16
    "Desperate Housewives"
    Edie
    I am sad that it's Desperate Housewives' final season. It's such a great show, I can't understand why they are leaving. I always go out of my way to watch it.
  • Holmes 2012/04/11 17:51:06
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Holmes
    I've never watched it before but I know that I would like it.
  • Larry Vanderpool 2012/04/11 17:45:07
    "The X Factor"
    Larry Vanderpool
    there are none which I would watch if they were the only shows on television
  • KendraTaylor 2012/04/11 17:44:13
    "Modern Family"
    KendraTaylor
    +1
    Not sure why HBO, showtime, and Starz isn't included in this list of broadcasting channels. I mean, it's like no one knows about True Blood, The Borgias, Game of Thrones, and Spartacus.
  • Tara-ABO-2012 2012/04/11 17:36:22
    "Grey's Anatomy"
    Tara-ABO-2012
    I picked this one even though I don't actually watch it. I did in the very beginning and then they moved it opposite something I watched for years and this was before I had a DVR so I dropped it. I don't watch any of these. I watch alot of TV shows, just none of these.
  • Insanebane 2012/04/11 17:35:25
    "Mad Love"
    Insanebane
    I only picked Mad Love because I never heard of it. Whoever comes
    up with these should also include the choices: Undecided or
    None of the above.
  • Aksana 2012/04/11 17:35:17
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Aksana
    love it
  • dzzshadz 2012/04/11 17:33:09
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    dzzshadz
    Love it very funny.
  • Alice Evie 2012/04/11 17:30:40
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    Alice Evie
    love Big Bang Theory!!!!!
  • Non 2012/04/11 17:29:06
    "Modern Family"
    Non
    +1
    Actually, I don't watch any of these shows. I do find "Hart of Dixie" on the CW to be a funny and quirky city doctor meets southern small town humorous. They manage to fit in the usual bias: women should be home v professional career, inter-racial relationships as well as small town traditions and simple life.
    Anybody else like "Castle"?? It tops off the evening for me on Mondays.
  • karmasyde 2012/04/11 17:26:07
    "The Big Bang Theory"
    karmasyde
    Only one on the list I watch
  • ♥PrettyLittleLiarsLover♥ 2012/04/11 17:15:27
    "Glee"
    ♥PrettyLittleLiarsLover♥
    Pretty Little Liars Is actually my favorite it was the most tweeted about show in 2011! But My favorite from this is GLEE!! gleeks rock
  • Charles... ♥Pretty... 2012/04/12 01:19:47
    Charles Eldredge
    How do you get an image like this and post it on this forum? I want to do that!

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2013/06/20 06:56:39

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