As commercial networks have scaled back the production of original content for successive time slots, opportunities for new talent and smaller independent production companies have become scarce, according to CJZ producer Nick Murray.
“Some of the time slots we used to do shows are no longer commissioned for them. Free to Air isn’t really commissioning shows for after 9:30 at night. Even 8:30 is questionable now,” she recently told Screen Forever.
“We had shows for 9:30, 10:30 at night. It’s all over… that was great for us because working mostly with young comedians and doing interesting projects that would go off-Broadway a little bit. It’s not happening.
“I think it’s really sad. The opportunities went for the kids, because those later shows that were smaller budgets and stuff, the (bigger production companies) weren’t really interested.
“They don’t want that commission,” he suggested. “They don’t want 10 episodes of $200,000 each. It’s not worth it. They are doing Master Chef or (other great shows).
“Those opportunities are gone. I think it’s hard, really hard.
