Disney has more problems... the alphabet.
Source: New York Times
ABC Under Disney: Kingdom, Yes. Magic, No.
By BILL CARTER
Published: March 8, 2004
"The Apprentice," the new NBC reality program celebrating the corporate wisdom of Donald J. Trump, is a "total game changer," in the words of Jeff Zucker, the president of NBC Entertainment. Averaging 20 million viewers a week and pulling in more high-income viewers than any other series, it has saved NBC's once-invincible Thursday night lineup, turned around its season and added millions in profit - with the promise of more millions to come.
But "The Apprentice" is also a show that could have belonged to ABC, the network that needs a big hit more desperately than any other. Mark Burnett, who after his success with "Survivor'' and now "The Apprentice'' is the most sought after producer of reality shows, first offered his new series to ABC. But negotiations there quickly turned into an effort to force down the price, and he turned to NBC.
"It's a little frustrating as a producer,'' Mr. Burnett said of dealing with ABC executives who, he said, seem to have limited powers to close a high-price deal, unlike competitors at other networks. "I honestly get a sick feeling in my stomach going over there," he said, adding, "It's awful to go over there knowing it's going to be so hard for them to make a deal."
The story of how ABC missed out on "The Apprentice" is being pointed to by television industry executives and producers like Mr. Burnett as an example of how the network has been hamstrung creatively and financially by the top-down management style of ABC's parent, the Walt Disney Company, and its chief executive, Michael D. Eisner.
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