Original Desmond

I know the makers chose to end Banshee

I know Strike back might be returning with a new cast

Did these shows make money ?

It's no secret i love these bloody shows. I have started season 5 of strike back and seriously it is more exciting and has better action than movies like Jason Bourne or Mechanic Resurrection

The good old traditional action show or movie (no superhero, no sci fi) really is in danger of becoming extinct. Any half decent action show like Human Target or the Player got cancelled pretty quickly.

And i consider these real action shows, not procedurals with action like Hawaii Five O (which i also enjoy)

DJariya

They are premium cable shows. There is really no way to know if they made money. None of that information is released to the public.

Strike Back's Cinemax version was a co-production with Sky 1 in the UK, so Cinemax didn't have to pay the entire bill. The new season of Strike Back that's in the works is also under the same arrangement.

Banshee was a full Cinemax production. However, it was reported that the budget was slashed in the final season. Mainly because they had to move filming from North Carolina to Pennsylvania. North Carolina dropping their film and TV tax credit program was the main culprit

davidh777

I loved both shows too, but yes, there's no way to know. A big reason for a premium network to have series like this is to drive subscriptions.

Thrush

As was mentioned before. Cinemax is a network that doesn't rely on ad-revenue. So they are only concerned with keeping subscribers happy and attracting new ones. The important things are the ratings and word of mouth/ critical acclaim.

Abob Teff

So that is an interesting question --- how do pay-channels measure the success or failure of a show?

Network/basic cable TV has viewer numbers and ad revenue. Streaming channels can track downloads. How does it work with a "bufffet" style pay network? Do they use the same Nielsen (or whatever) system? If so, why aren't those numbers released?

Kdogg

They use ratings like any other channel. The only time you see them is when the network wants to tute their own horn and gain new viewers (like with Game of Thones). They do not regularly release figures for them same reason Netflix doesn't. It would give the competition information that would reduce the competitive advantage that they have. There is no gain for them only lose. The other outlets would drive up the price for popular show runners, actors, etc..

robin2099

Typically a lot of how these shows get viewed as a success is how many more subscriptions get added when their new seasons begin. As for Nielsen type ratings they pay attention to those but will not release the results unless it is a huge viewership that could equal basic cable or network TV.

Original Desmond

Cinemax really needs to market themselves at the channel for real men and make no apology for it

They could great some cheap to make skin flick type shows (lots of nudity), there are tons of starlets willing to get their kit off for their big break

And make more action shows for guys.

Ton of potential spin offs or prequels they could do from Banshee. Job, Eliza Duska sequels, Burton prequel, Nola prequel etc

Abob Teff

I learned something new ... I would have thought Nielsen would release their findings, not the networks they are studying. Interesting ...