The Impact of COVID-19 on the Television Industry: Enhanced Remote Production and Resurgence of Reruns

The global pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry, and the television sector is no exception. One of the most significant impacts has been the shift towards remote production, with many shows transitioning from traditional studio settings to home-based productions.

Remote Production

During the height of the pandemic, it became unsafe and impractical to gather large groups of people in studio spaces. Consequently, many television shows adapted by conducting their shoots from the safety of participants' homes. This change has been particularly noticeable in interview-style programs, where socially distanced practices have become the norm.

An example of this is the show Dancing With the Stars, where contestants who have been exposed to COVID face limitations. Practicing in their homes, they are restricted to submitting video clips for judges to score rather than participating in live in-studio sessions. This demonstrates the creative solutions being explored to continue producing quality content amid health protocols.

Rising Demand for TV Content

While many have adapted to remote production, the increased downtime for entertainment workers has led to a significant rise in the demand for television content. People have more free time to watch shows, leading to various streaming platforms experiencing a surge in viewership. However, the supply of new content has been limited due to the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The net effect of these changes is a boom for services that offer reruns and catalog material. Broadcasters like MeTV, ION Cozi TV, Retro TV, and Hulu are benefiting from a reinvigorated interest in classic TV and reruns. Meanwhile, the studios, actors, production crews, and other support personnel associated with the making of TV shows are facing tough times.

Struggle for Live Theatre and Television Production

The impact of the pandemic extends beyond television into the world of live stage and theatre. As reported, stage workers are contemplating a strike, especially given the continued disruption of Broadway productions. Many workers hope that a strike could force entertainment industry leaders to prioritize safety and well-being over profit, potentially leading to new protocols and conditions for returning to live production.

A relevant example is Director Taika Waititi, who, despite the challenges, managed to shoot footage of New York's abandoned streets during lockdown. While this method is a creative workaround, it underscores the immense difficulties faced in maintaining television series with strict safety guidelines.

For stations to fully resume production, they would likely need to employ skeleton crews and find innovative ways to ensure proper social distancing. This could involve pre-filming and post-editing techniques, or producing abbreviated shows with smaller cast and crew sizes. However, such measures would be challenging to sustain for an extended period.

Conclusion

The television industry is navigating through tumultuous times, both in terms of content production and distribution. While reruns and catalog material are thriving in the current climate, the live television and theater sectors continue to face significant challenges. As the world grapples with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, the industry must adapt to continue providing engaging and safe content for audiences everywhere.