The Parents Television Council is not known for pestering broadcast networks with advice as to how to make sure one of their primetime series succeeds. But that’s what the TV watchdog group did this morning, urging Fox to move new Pitch to a different day and timeslot to “ensure the show’s success.”
PTC says it also is reaching out to advertisers to encourage support for the critically praised sports drama which, in its premiere last month, climbed from its lead-in but logged a 1.1 in 18-49 and 4.2 million viewers in Live+Same Day, which Deadline’s Nellie Andreeva characterized as “cancellation-range premiere delivery.”
“We are urging Fox to ensure that ‘Pitch’ hits a home run with families by airing it on a different night that doesn’t conflict with other family-oriented sports programming, such as NFL broadcasts,” the group says.
“Families are hungry for TV shows that can be enjoyed by, and are safe for, the entire family, and ‘Pitch’ is a rare option in the TV universe,” org’s prez Tim Winter said, also citing its “inspirational female lead character.”
Winter got in a plug, noting PTC rated the series “one of the best new fall TV shows for families.”
Winter noted PTC is better known for other tactics. “We often contact advertisers to warn them of explicit programming, but ‘Pitch’ gives us a great reason to encourage support for positive programming.”
The Parents Television Council founded in 1995, explains its purpose as “ensur[ing] that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media….Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment.”
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