NBC says no more super-sizing

NBC has decided to stop “super-sizing” its sitcoms, Zap2It is reporting.

On behalf of my DVR and frustrated viewers everywhere, let me be the first to say, “It’s about time!”

NBC began the practice of extending its sitcoms by five to ten minutes back in 2001 to deter Friends viewers from switching the channel to CBS to catch the last half of Survivor. It worked then, but has become a constant frustration through the years for viewers and DVR boxes that never know when the NBC shows would stop and start. Those who recorded the programs often had problems getting the end or the beginning.

Vince Manze, NBC’s scheduling director, said that super-sizing isn’t effective as it once was.

“It was a good idea when we started it. It was very novel. But it's just not a good idea to have shows starting at 9:23 p.m.," Manze told TV Week.

Gee, do you think?

Why it’s taken six years for the network to discover that salient point is beyond me. The first time I missed the beginning of The Office taught me that lesson.

Thank you, NBC, for halting this annoying scheduling gimmick.

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