The name of the game in television is to build an audience, and violence is an effective means to gain viewers. One Fox Network executive admitted that the highest rated segments of its Reporters series were the ones that featured lots of blood. In an effort to boost ratings and compete for greater audience share, network and cable broadcast outlets have provided viewers with a steady and graphic dose of televised violence. In February of 1992, the NBC series I Witness Video came on the air and showed a replay of murders that had been taped by amateur camera operators. Tabloid TV and reality shows pepper promotional spots featuring the violent and sensational content of upcoming episodes throughout the broadcast day.
Talk shows regularly cover topics ranging from sexual violence to murderous love triangles.
When he was still on the air, Phil Donahue said that he would go so far as to broadcast an execution. TV's violent trend has even served to make real-life criminals rich. Hollywood agents and TV producers scrambled to get the rights to her story. This type of movie is not unusual. The Fisher incident generated at least ten million dollars in revenue from books, TV movies, and tabloid shows.