As you might suspect, coming from two companies with “cable” in the name requires us to spend time evaluating the schedules of cable networks. And after a few weeks at home, I had a chance to watch more networks than ever … and I have to ask:

What’s with the scheduling going on in cable this summer? Exclusivity on some programs may be a thing of the past (see Cops and M*A*S*H) and some cable skeins are jumping networks for the second cycle (FX’s The Shield in repeats on Spike; Sopranos on A&E, The Directors on Reelz). Networks avoided this for years, saying they didn’t want to “dilute their brand.” The jury is still out anyway on whether these are successful trends or a show-by-show story. Some work, some don’t … but it’s likely more the fault of the program than the move.

But, to this viewer, the scheduling of similar, or even identical programs opposite one another defeats the competitive strength of either program. And that’s what’s been happening more and more.

To wit, Saturday night, A&E and TLC have competing property shows right up against each other: Flip This House at 8 and 9pm versus Property Ladder and Flip That House, same times. How’s about the battles of the CSIs? The original series franchise is on Spike at 8pm most weeknights, A&E has CSI: Miami, Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri at 8pm, too (not to mention a couple nights at 9pm).

Cannibalism? We think so. Can’t believe that the schedulers wouldn’t be aware of the competition, but I can’t figure out what is to be gained. After years of chipping away at broadcast numbers and now cumulatively beating them, and with subscribers close to topping out, cable networks now cannot get out of each other’s way. Competitive schedules are important, so why split the audience in any given time slot? At the very least, let their identical or similar program lead into yours. Competing comedies or dramas are one thing, but when it’s This House vs That House, or CSI vs CSI: Miami, it’s pretty tough to see strategically what’s to be gained.

Read past entries by Gary Lico