[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' post=\'252863\' date=\'Dec 20 2010, 01:45 PM\']I really wonder if they might be forced into shows with unusual lengths here in North America. When you take an average half-hour syndicated show, it runs roughly 20 minutes with close to 10 minutes commercials. I can't believe how bad it's gotten over the years. If this keeps up, in a few years it might be more like 15-15. Would it still be feasable to do half-hour shows if this were to occur? Talk about lack of content.[/quote]
About 10 years ago, I came up with a concept that could work with content and could still amount to a traditional three-hour primetime block, but I'm not sure what it would do for ratings...
Half hour slots (21 or so minutes of content) would be bumped to 40 or 45-minute slots, the latter being similar to NBC's "Super Sized" sitcom episodes. An hour-long show would be bumped to 75 or 90 minutes. I'd probably suggest going with 45/90 because a sitcom starting at 8:40 or 9:20 pm could get a little confusing to viewers, not that 8:45 is any easier.
8:00 - sitcom
8:45 - sitcom
9:30 - drama
OR
Since NBC and ABC are getting back into having sitcoms in the 10pm hour, 8:00/8:45/9:30/10:15 on some nights, then do the aforementioned on nights where you want a drama. It might be a little tougher for FOX, seeing as they have 10:00 news.
All in all, I don't see the current networks sacrificing a possible show just to give remaining shows more time. Someone would have to probably take a chance on a new network, which I also don't see happening.