Home / Arts and Entertainment / ABC's Risky Gamble: How 'Desperate Housewives' Saved a Network
ABC's Risky Gamble: How 'Desperate Housewives' Saved a Network
28 Feb
Summary
- ABC aimed for massive hits when in fourth place before 2004.
- The network banked on 'Desperate Housewives' to turn its fortunes.
- Gameshows like 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' initially dominated.
In the early 2000s, ABC found itself in a precarious fourth-place position among broadcast networks. Reliance on popular gameshows like "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," which premiered in 1999, was no longer sufficient to maintain competitiveness against CBS, Fox, and NBC. The network recognized the urgent need for a significant shift in its programming strategy.
To address this, ABC leadership decided to "swing for the fences" in 2004, seeking shows with the potential for massive success. This high-stakes approach was embodied by the development of "Desperate Housewives." The show became a crucial load-bearing series, ultimately helping to redefine ABC's identity and ratings throughout the decade.
