MIKE ON TV: How the Coronavirus Pandemic is Impacting Summer and Fall TV

I was on Canada's CTV Newschannel last Friday to discuss how the production shutdown is impacting summer and fall TV schedules... and the short answer is, no one still quite knows when or how TV shows will return. Watch above.

Right now the industry is still in a bit of a holding pattern, especially given the spark in COVID cases. Several of the networks have announced fall schedules that feel like optimistic pipe dreams, as production really needs to be underway by August. Networks like Fox and The CW have stockpiled already-produced content, including international shows, to bide their time in the fall before (hopefully) having new episodes of their shows ready in January. The streamers are in better shape, obviously, since they have more content in the can, but even that will run out at some point. Talk shows have continued from home, and are slowly becoming more elaborate -- with some looking at ways to move back to a studio without audience (like "Conan"). Then there's still the question of the Emmys, which take place on Sept. 20, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, and what that might look like.

As for those of us covering television, it's perhaps never been busier. The business has been impacted by COVID in so many different ways that it's hard to keep up with all the angles. The national conversation about systemic racism in the country and its impact on popular culture also has many ramifications on the business. Add that to the ongoing business of television -- deals are still happening, shows are still being picked up/renewed/canceled, executives are still being hired and fired... and also, this is the year that multiple streaming services have launched, including HBO Max, Peacock and Quibi, further disrupting an already completely disrupted industry.