Alas, I do not know enough about US network TV and how it works, so I will take your word for it.
The only point(s) I will make is that SA
can (for the reasons you have stated) show a wider range of shows and genres than other specialist genre channels, giving SA a distinct advantage over many other channels.
In my eyes, if SA was truly "specialist", it would only show US cable content (is that the correct terminology?). I imagine this would mean it would show much less original content, and therefore less coveted.
If I follow your reasoning correctly (happy to be corrected) a channel like Alibi will never be able to show (for example) "The Following", thus being denied the chance to show original content. I only mention Alibi and original content in response to Alibi being highlighted as a channel which had it's amount of original content compared to the amount of SA's original content.
It's great that a channel can air these shows, I just think it's unfair to claim SA is a "specialist" channel in comparison to channels like Alibi which deals in one genre only, and, following my understanding of your post (which may be wrong) seemingly has it's hands tied over what it can and can not show.
I agree SA is coveted by many, but that are plenty that do not care for it either.
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