ext_1717 ([identity profile] dick-grayson.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] tencrush 2008-11-15 03:58 pm (UTC)

I don't suppose you have access to financial data on that topic? It would be interesting to compare Torchwood to other Beeb programming in that regard, too. Particularly as I think Doctor Who will keep on going because it's Doctor Who, see also iconic status, while Torchwood is probably more comparable to a show like Life on Mars. Given that Torchwood doesn't even air consistently throughout the Commonwealth (ask any Aussie fan when the next episode is set to air), and given that the number of episodes produced will likely continue to stay very low, I'm not sure how well the future Torchwood can actually do in the global market. Producing only five episodes for S3, with S4 (if it happens at all) likely to have only six episodes, makes it extremely difficult for Torchwood to compete with U.S. programming, where the average show produces 22-24 episodes a year.

Also, in comparing DVD prices for a BBC property with only 13 episodes (e.g., Torchwood S1 and S2) to DVD prices for a U.S.-produced show with four times as many episodes, it's hard to see how Torchwood could ever rise above cult status, particularly in the U.S., where it airs on a cable channel that has the potential to reach only about half of the households in the U.S. Note that "potential to reach" does not equal "actually subscribes to BBC America *and* regularly watches BBC America programming." My parents, who never watch the channel, get it on their cable system, whereas I don't get the channel, but would probably watch lots of the BBC America programming if I did.

Anyway, I suspect the Beeb would be just as happy to authorize a U.S. production house to adapt Torchwood for a U.S. audience, similar to what's been done with Life on Mars or The Office. I don't have access to any financial information, but I imagine that there is a considerable amount of cash involved in authorizing a BBC property for production by a U.S. studio. The Beeb could easily reap whatever financial benefits it gets from some sort of licensing or co-production arrangement, and sit back enjoying the fact that it doesn't have to spend any money to produce the show or pay The Barrowman for his time and the use of his Porsche.

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