Uncertainty of Success
             Because no exact formula exists for creating a successful product producing have had to come up with ways to reduce their risk of failure. First the producer must find out what is successful and why. In the TV industry networks measure this by ratings and shares, but this only gives them numbers to go by. Once it is figured out what is successful, then the network must analyze why. Some of the reasons today are things such as, length- a half to full hour, different genres and reputation. Being successful also comes in the secondary market with toys, or spin offs or action figures.
             However finding what was successful for one particular thing does not equal success for a similar product. This is why producers and networks try to have as much control of the market as possible. Many companies use synergy, trying to own many different markets and then using them to promote each other. For example, Viacom own blockbuster and paramount pictures. When paramount come out with a new movie for rent, Viacom will make sure it is overly promoted on the Blockbuster shelves. Uncertainty also causes producers tot keep overhead costs as low as possible, ensuring themselves that if a product does not make it they will have lost as little money as possible. The producers then make up for this loss with the products that are highly successful.
             In my opinion the greatest influence over success is synergy. By owner more markets it not only limits competition but also makes ones product that much more prevalent in the market. Yet, at the same time, this prevalence is not a blatant monopoly to the public. The public only sees the surmounting hype about a TV show, a movie or any product, making them a little bit more curious about it and more likely to at least check it out and give it a chance.
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