Why Don't More TV Shows Try To Connect With Fans?

from the it's-always-sunny-in-philadelphia dept

We've talked about different aspects of the content business have been shifting to do more "connecting with fans" and giving them "reasons to buy," from the music, movie, newspaper, book and even photography industries. But we haven't talked that much about television -- and that's because TV shows still really don't do all that much to try to embrace their fans. There are a few shows (The Office comes to mind) that have creative online presences, but Dave Title highlights how the cast of the "cult hit" It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is doing a live tour:

Now, to both reward their rather rabid fanbase and to attract new folks to the fold, the gang from Sunny is doing a live tour version of the musical "The Night Man" and screening a new episode from this season at theaters across the country. This not only builds excitement for the new season but creates a far stronger bond with their viewers -- the people most likely to spread the word and build the audience.

Title asks how come other TV shows don't do this sort of thing... and it's a great question. Why aren't TV shows more actively working to connect with fans? Is it because TV shows are often more about selling directly to advertisers than to fans? Or is there some other reason? Or... am I just not paying enough attention to creative TV promotions?

Filed Under: connect with fans, cwf, it's always sunny in philadelphia, tv shows