So, I'm watching a new episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent on USA Network this past Sunday and, like all upstanding Americans do, I was flipping through the channels during a commercial break. As I passed by these channels at the speed of light my eye caught something on Bravo. It was another episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Not a new episode, mind you, just a repeat of a repeat of a repeat that Bravo airs during their Sunday night block.

Now, you're probably saying to yourself 'So what? Cable channels are allowed to air whatever they damn well please.' Well, after lecturing you about your tone of voice I would mention that you had a point. But, thanks to the wonderful world of corporate synergy, your argument would not meet the mustard. You see, Bravo is under the huge umbrella known as NBC Universal, which is the same company that owns USA Network, which is currently airing new episodes of Law & Order: CI on Sunday nights. With all of this information at hand the following question comes to mind:

Who the hell is programming these networks?

Isn't this counterproductive for NBC Universal? Here they are, spending all of these millions of dollars to produce new episodes of the youngest Law & Order series and they are competing against themselves for the viewing public. I would think that both cable networks, as well as the Universal itself, would want people to tune into the newest episodes rather than one that has aired three or four times on Bravo. By setting up this scenario the corporation is saying 'Look, we have these new episodes on USA. But, if you don't like the new episodes and want to watch some older, better ones, tune into Bravo.' As a star of the newest episodes, I certainly wouldn't feel like my work was being supported by the people paying their salaries. As a member of USA Networks I'd feel that Universal wasn't giving the show a chance to survive. As a viewer, I would just record the new episode to watch a classic episode I previously enjoyed. Since these networks still use the primitive Nielsen ratings system, this would not bode well for these new episodes.

I'm really not too sure why Bravo decided to keep old episodes of CI on its schedule while a new episodes airs on USA at the same time. Perhaps it was a lack of communication at the corporate level, or the fact that a replay of one of the network's many reality shows doesn't play well on Sunday nights. Frankly, both explanations don't wash. It's probably more of the fact that NBC Universal, in its continuing destruction of the network name, doesn't really care one way or another. If the new episodes of CI fail, they still make money on the franchise. If they are a success, then all the better. What's your opinion?