Charlie Hauck, in his article “My Plan to Save Network Television,” claims that certain network television show ratings are being threatened by the over abundance of adult viewers. He stresses the need to physically restrict mature audiences to only watching shows that were intended for them. Although he writes in a rather satirical fashion, the main point that is coming across is that certain shows that target young audiences should be watched by those viewers, for the sake of the advertisers and network ratings.
The claim made by Hauck is backed up by demographics taken over the last few decades. The Nielson ratings show that viewers ages 18-49 are the best targets because their buying habits are not yet determined. For instance, “people over 49 do not buy interesting products,” and don’t create “water cooler” shows like young audiences generally do. College age students will buy new and popular marketing products related to the shows they watch and will therefore further support advertiser’s efforts. There is no need to make shows for older generations because those shows will not make a sufficient amount of money. Of course, this claim is not accepted by all.
Some believe that a certain generation of older viewers, classified as “boomers,” shouldn’t be included in the excluded group of TV watchers. Perhaps these people are more in touch with contemporary culture and would contribute to sales just as much as the younger generations. Charlie Hauck counters this argument by comically stating that if one laughs at and understands the statement, “They combed out Ann Miller’s hair and found the Lindbergh baby,” he or she is unfit to watch television.