TV schedulers

An interesting look behind the scenes at the people who decide what's on when, by Maggie Brown in MediaGuardian (free registration required).

Behind the scenes at every television channel there is a small bunch of anonymous yet powerful people, typically in their 30s or early 40s, who draw up schedules. On their computers are stored precious trade secrets, mapping schedules three years ahead. They spend their time worrying simultaneously about 2006/7 and what's going out that night. They constantly ask questions such as "When is the next I'm A Celebrity starting?" And at 9.45 each morning, when the "overnights" - Barb audience data - are released, they will all be glued to their computers.