Why Didn’t TV Companies Shoot More on Film in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s?

The transition from film to video in television production was a gradual process. Many critics and viewers often wonder why television companies didn't stick with film for programs such as daytime soaps, sitcoms, and game shows during the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. While film production did have some advantages, there were significant drawbacks that made it less viable for the commercial television industry.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Film vs Video

One of the primary reasons why television didn't widely adopt film for daytime soaps, sitcoms, and game shows during these decades is that real film does not look better than video, particularly in the context of broadcast television. The logic behind this belief is that many factors degrade the quality of film even when handled with great care.

Film Quality Issues

Dust and Scratches: Film is susceptible to dust and scratches, which can visibly impact the final product. Frame Shifts: There can be slight shifts between frames, leading to a less smooth overall viewing experience.

In addition, even if a program was intended for broadcast, it would need to be converted to digital video for the broadcast itself. Thus, the effort to shoot on film only to convert later in the process was seen as redundant and unnecessary.

Economic and Time Factors

John Mixon points out that film is expensive and time-consuming compared to video. This is particularly true given the nature of television production during that time. Filmmakers would have to purchase film stock, which is a one-time consumable product.

Cost Breakdown

Consumable Film: The cost of buying film stock and editing it was significantly higher than the cost of using storage media and discarding it if needed. Multiple Takes: With film, multiple takes were required if the shot didn’t work, meaning the film would be quickly consumed. This is in contrast to video, where you could easily erase and reuse the storage media.

Time Efficiency

Another significant drawback was the time required to produce film content. During the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, most television shows produced 26 to 39 episodes per season, compared to the current standard of 12 to 24 episodes per season. Time efficiency was crucial for the budgetary considerations of television networks.

Industrial Practices and Expectations

The television industry during this period did not prioritize reruns or the long-term value of archival content. There was no widespread awareness that 40 to 60 years later, viewers would be watching older series repeatedly. This led to the preservation of only the most profitable or hit shows for archiving.

Rerun and Archival Considerations

Many network executives and production companies did not anticipate the longevity and revisits that television series would see in the coming decades. As a result, they did not consider the need to save most series for future reruns or syndication. Examples, such as the entire production run of the short-lived Dumont Network being dumped into New York Harbor, highlight how little value was placed on film archives.

Conclusion

The transition from film to video was driven by practical and economic considerations. While film had its artistic and visual advantages, the high costs and the time required to produce film content made it less viable for the fast-paced and budget-conscious nature of television production during the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Understanding these factors provides insight into the evolution of television production and the reasons for the shift towards video technology.