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Even with hit shows such as "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy," ABC is tightening its
belt as it weathers the U.S. economic downturn and tries to remain relevant in an industry challenged by
digital entertainment.
"We are in one of worst economies in 70 years. We are looking at everything we can possibly do to
be more efficient and more effective," ABC Entertainment president Steve McPherson told reporters on
Friday.
"We have to look at everything across the board from cost cutting to (using) other platforms for
smart ways to broker our efforts. It is an ongoing process. It is not a one time thing."
McPherson, attending the networks' semi-annual presentation to critics, said last year's five month
strike by Hollywood screenwriters had "really hurt everybody" in the traditional television industry, and
he acknowledged the networks had lost viewers to other forms of entertainment.
"The world has changed under these businesses and we need to be incredibly diligent and confident
in what we do, otherwise we will be left by the wayside." he said. "Tomorrow is here, now, and we really
need to figure it out now and move forward."
ABC, a unit of Walt Disney Co, has lost about 9.7 percent of its prime time audience in the 2008-9
season compared with the same stage last year.
With the exception of current ratings leader CBS, the other two major U.S. networks Fox and NBC
have also lost similar percentages since the 2008-9 season started last September.
McPherson said he hoped ABC would continue to "take chances" on shows such as "Lost" and
"Dancing with the Stars" that were seen as daring when they were shown for the first time. But recent
new entries, such as "Pushing Daisies," "Eli Stone" and "Dirty Sexy Money," failed to resonate with
viewers and were canceled.
Despite the growing trend of watching television on iPods, on the Internet and on mobile phones,
McPherson said ABC's main focus remained on broadcast.
"We are still a broadcast network and that is where our profits come from. The other platforms are
important. But people ask "Would we do a show that would be successful on the Internet as opposed
to on broadcast? ... and those are always secondary thoughts," he added.
1. The main idea of the passage is about__________.
A. the strike of Hollywood screenwriters
B. the decline of ABC's prime time audience
C. ABC's feeling economic, digital pressure
D. ABC's main focus on broadcast
2. The 3rd paragraph suggests to us that__________.
A. cutting cost is the best way to recover from economic downturn
B. the economic situation is so serious that it will last long
C. using other smart way can develop the ongoing process
D. sparing no effort can complete the ongoing process
3 .McPherson's attitude towards ABC's future is full of__________.
A. doubt
B. confidence
C. worry
D. hope