Abstract

The case describes the problems faced by NBC, one of the leading television networks in the US which dominated the television ratings in the mid-1990s. In early 2000s, due to completion of NBC's hit shows like Friends and ER, the network was in deep trouble. While NBC was continuously losing its viewers, rivals such as CBS, Fox and ABC had launched blockbuster shows which pushed NBC to the fourth position among the leading US television broadcasters. The case describes the reasons for the decline in the popularity of NBC and the steps taken by NBC's management to revive the network's fortunes.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Examine the reasons that led to the decline in popularity of NBC television network
• Critically analyze the effectiveness of the efforts made by NBC's management to revive the network
• Study and analyze the nature of competition among the television networks in the US
• Study the trends in the US television broadcasting industry in the recent years
• Analyze the impact of cable television and the Internet on the US television industry.

Keywords

NBC Television Network, CBS Television, US Television Broadcasting Industry, Corporate Growth Strategies, Corporate Turnaround Strategies, FOX Broadcasting Company, NBC Television Network, American Broadcasting Company, NBCi, Prime Time Network, Reality Show, Federal Communications Commission, NBC Interactive, Internet advertising, NBC Universal, Prime Time Rankings