In a Broadcasting & Cable article, Ken Lowe, the CEO of Scripps (owner of the Travel Channel), announces the cancellation of Man vs. Food and reports that Adam Richman will be appearing in new vehicles on the channel. Lowe said the program was not salvageable even though it was responsible for 42% of the network's primetime impressions.

February 12, 2012 at 8:48 am by ojrifkin · More posts about:Man vs. Food | Permalink * Comments (13)

13 Comments »

  1. Hmm said (Registered November 12, 2009)

    February 12, 2012 @ 9:31 am

    Interesting article and reminder that show biz is business, of course. It says that the show was not sustainable beyond three years. I think we get so involved in the details as competitive eaters, fans, followers, that we forget the bigger picture. Businesses try on many things, somewhat like spaghetti, throw it up in the air and see if it sticks to the ceiling. This one did not stick beyond. A different eater, a pro or whatever, all of those things were really not the main issue for the “sponsor.” They are trying out all kinds of programs to see what will stick. Adam Richman will find something else for sure.

  2. foodisgood said

    February 12, 2012 @ 11:17 am

    I’ll admit that I don’t know much about TV, but this makes no sense to me. If my understanding is completely off, please let me know, but the article says Man v. Food was making up 42% of Travel Channel’s prime-time ratings. So, if MVF is making up nearly half the prime-time ratings, isn’t it obviously getting more ratings than the other prime-time shows? If so, why would they get rid of MVF, and not some other show that no one is watching?

  3. anonymous said

    February 12, 2012 @ 11:36 am

    When travel channel first came on the scene they focused primarily on the wonders and beauty of traveling to foreign countries . When they finally realized that type of programming was not cutting it in the ratings , they set their sights on food. In a sense they were stealing from the food network but Battle of the Buffets set the standard for some great shows to follow

  4. Blizzz said (Registered July 16, 2008)

    February 12, 2012 @ 5:58 pm

    42% of impressions is different than 42% of actual tuning in. I haven’t watched M v F since the first season, and the first season I tuned in every Wednesday. I’m one of the prime candidates to watch M v F but lost interest. It had it’s time but burnt out quickly, there are only so many challenges you can do that are interesting and can captivate a television crowd. I’m actually getting bored with CE in general now that talent has pretty much peaked.

  5. Anonymous said

    February 12, 2012 @ 6:27 pm

    CE is so predictable. Joey will win 95% of all contests. Then except for Joey Pat beats everyone else. On the women’s side no one tops Sonya. Juliet wins over all others. CE is BORING!

  6. Anonymous said

    February 13, 2012 @ 1:12 pm

    That’s what happens in leagues. That’s why so many have stayed or gone indi!

  7. Wow said

    February 13, 2012 @ 2:05 pm

    There no such thing as indy. Indy wish they were in a league.

  8. Brain on Crack said

    February 13, 2012 @ 4:02 pm

    Which are Adam’s favorite vehicles to drive?

  9. Anonymous said

    February 14, 2012 @ 4:51 am

    I’d like to see Adam in a Lamborghini.

  10. foodisgood said

    February 14, 2012 @ 8:31 pm

    what is an “impression?”

  11. anonymous said

    February 15, 2012 @ 12:12 am

    What is an impression? Actually there are two meanings to the word. One is what they use in a dental office that looks like a big wad of gum before they fit you with a bridge for your teeth. The other is an old 50’s group called the Impressions

  12. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    February 15, 2012 @ 7:05 am

    I had that same question, but didn’t ask in this public forum out of fear that I’d be the one oddball that doesn’t know.

  13. Hmm said (Registered November 12, 2009)

    February 15, 2012 @ 7:46 am

    It is tv and other media jargon. The long story is here. http://www.chartermedia.com/Help/Math.aspx
    I leave it to someone else to read all of that. I will simply assume that what it means is that the bottom line is not favorable, just an uneducated guess.

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