Why do networks keep producing dramas?
Networks produce dramas because they make revenue. At this moment, comedy is not faring well on networks. Dramas attract huge, huge audiences. It's not that strange to hear of 20 and 30 million people tuning in for an episode of a very successful show, such as Grey's Anatomy or, at one time, Lost. Not every series has giant numbers like that, but across the slate the networks are proud of their shows that win awards. It puts a gloss over all their other divisions, and essentially it's about success as well as prestige.