American Networks Only Interested in Young Viewers?

[Black Orchid]

It seems that older viewers and aging baby boomers are neither valued nor wanted by some cable television networks in the USA.

One particularly popular show, that rated only behind Mad Men, has been cancelled because A&E was only interested in a younger demographic. Hence they totally discarded almost 6 million viewers because they wanted to appeal to a younger audience by way of advertising. Wouldn't the older population have a higher disposable income to tap?

Young viewers are fickle but older viewers are more stable and loyal so it seems particularly stupid to alienate one in favour of another, instead of monetizing each on its own merits.