Unlike mass audiences, which represent a large number of people, a niche audience is an influential smaller audience. In television, technology and many industrial practices changed with the
post-network era, niche audiences are now in much greater control of what they watch. In this context of greater viewer control,
television networks and
production companies are trying to discover ways to profit through new scheduling, new shows, and relying on
syndication. This practice of "narrowcasting" also allows advertisers to have a more direct audience for their messages. With few exceptions, such as
American Idol, the
Super Bowl and the
Olympics, it is not common for a substantial audience to watch a program at once. Still, networks do target particular demographics.
Lifetime targets women and
MTV targets youth. Sports channels, for example,
STAR Sports,
ESPN,
ESPN 2,
ESPNU,
STAR Cricket,
FS1,
FS2 and
CBS Sports Network, target the niche market of sports enthusiasts. == See also ==