The slates of new programming each fall would simultaneously premiere during the same one or two-week period. However, the Big Three were starting to experience dwindling ratings for the first time, especially after Fox became an established network. So for the first time they began mass canceling shows that weren t working, rather running them for the entire programming year. This led first to summer replacements, then to mid-season replacements and then to the general anarchy known today. The idea of fixed network schedules is gone.
New shows seem to premiere every week as old ones expire, often after just two or three episodes.
Meanwhile, returning shows like The X-Files might not begin broadcasting original episodes until months after the new series have hit the air. TV networks are now a real life version of Survivor , with shows bad and good being voted off the island. Meanwhile, those that manage to stay on the air another week dream of reaping a huge financial reward. In fact, hell, imagine what a great reality TV series this would make. The book examined the production histories and subsequent fate of 1998 s slate of summer films, including Godzilla and Armageddon .