Chapter 8

 Self Produced ▪ When programming is produced by the organization distributing it. ▪ HBO filming it’s own movies ▪ ESPN covering games it broadcasts  Related & Non-related media ▪ When media is shared between departments ▪ NBC taking subsidiary hit program ▪ Puts it on main network ▪ GE owned company sharing with other GE owned company ▪ NBC  CNBC  MSNBC

 Voice Tracking ▪ Radio announcers intro’s & outro’s for many of the companies stations  Affiliate ▪ Stations associated with a network ▪ Programming content provided by the network  Non-Related ▪ When companies not related through parent ▪ Share programming with each other

 Majors & Independents  Programmers also get material from ▪ Major production companies ▪ (ones that also make movies)  Time Windows ▪ The time from theatrical release to showing elsewhere  Independents ▪ Private production companies paid to develop shows/content

 Syndicators ▪ Buy old popular “Off-Net” programs ▪ Present them to target audience  Not as effective today because of DVD’s of network shows

 New TV programs, series & movies ▪ Go through development phase ▪ They start with an idea  As idea is expanded a PITCH is developed ▪ Presented to network executives  Accepted pitches lead to a PILOT ▪ Single show as it would be aired on TV

 Other Challenges  Executive Decisions ▪ May want demographic changes ▪ Age of lead ▪ Location ▪ To go with SEQUEL to popular movie ▪ SPIN-OFF TV show ▪ Involves characters from popular series

 Different than other programs & series ▪ Content controlled by gatekeepers ▪ Decisions are made quickly  News Gathering ▪ Staff identifying & covering important stories ▪ Assignment editor ▪ Embedded ▪ Stringers ▪ Scanners ▪ Devices used to monitor police & fire radios

 News Agencies/Wire services ▪ Stories, Sound bites, Video  Public Contributions ▪ Calling in tips/leads ▪ Sending in video ▪ Phones, camcorders, etc ▪ Blogs  Presentation ▪ Television, online

 Radio  CLOCK - used to determine specific content ▪ Traffic on the 1’s – What does this mean?  Dayparts ▪ Morning drive (6-10 am), ▪ Midday (10 am-3 pm), ▪ Afternoon drive (3-7 pm), ▪ Evenings (7 pm-12 midnight), ▪ Overnight (midnight-6 am

 Movies  Many movies ▪ Especially high budget ones ▪ Typically released during summer & holidays ▪ WHY?

 Scheduling Factors  DVR’s & DVD’s ▪ Allow rearranging of original program schedule  Prime Time ▪ Most important block in Television ▪ WHY  Changes in shows ▪ Cancellations ▪ Moves to new times

 Scheduling Strategies  Block programming ▪ Same type of shows shown all evening ▪ (sitcoms, drama, etc)  Hammocking ▪ New series between two strong one  Tentpoling ▪ New/Weak series before and after a strong one  Stripping ▪ Same show, same time, every day

 Several forms of drama ▪ Soap Operas ▪ Serialized to entice viewer to “tune in tomorrow” ▪ Anthology dramas ▪ Individual stories ▪ Different characters in each (episode) ▪ Episodic serialized dramas ▪ Set characters ▪ Episodes cover complete storylines ▪ Miniseries & Docudramas

 Mainstay of media ▪ Sitcoms ▪ Primary form of comedy ▪ Started on radio, migrated to TV ▪ Other forms ▪ SNL, skits ▪ Variety shows ▪ Stand up comedy  Comedy has been threatened by ▪ Reality TV

 Started in the 50’s ▪ (candid camera)  Popularized in the 1990’s ▪ Initially thought to be short lived ▪ Low cost appealed to networks ▪ Human element appealed to viewers ▪ CBS show Survivor (2000) ▪ Solidified genre as appealing to audience  Term extended to other forms ▪ American Idol, Who wants to be a millionaire

 Longtime popular format ▪ Started in radio ▪ Migrated to TV  Quiz show scandals (1958) ▪ Dealt temporary blow to genre  Eventually new shows helped re-establish genre ▪ Jeopardy ▪ Wheel of Fortune ▪ What are some other?

 American Bandstand ▪ First hit music program on TV  1981 MTV introduced music video format ▪ Most successful TV music concept  Music video popularity ▪ Led to placement elsewhere ▪ Commercials networks ▪ Local stations ▪ Cable stations  Criticized for possible negative impact on youth

 Gatekeepers ▪ Those in position to determine what information is presented  Variety ▪ More and more news stations ▪ Offer content to match numerous views ▪ Liberal, conservative, etc

 Politics ▪ News delivers much political information ▪ Can influence perceptions & outcomes  Criticisms ▪ Lack of depth ▪ Tasteless coverage of victims ▪ Over coverage of tiresome stories ▪ Subjectivity/Bias

 Radio Talk Shows  Started as in studio interviews  Today, telephones allow call in’s ▪ Enhancing radio talk shows ▪ Involve in studio & audience  TV talk shows ▪ 1947 Meet the press (Earliest TV talk show) ▪ Interviews with political and social figures

 Morning Talk Shows (Like Today show) ▪ Interviews news, features, weather, etc  Evening Talk Shows (Like Tonight Show) ▪ Start with a comical monologue ▪ Followed by interviews ▪ Focus on celebrity figures  Daytime Talk shows ▪ More variety ▪ Celebrities, unknown people, unusual stories

 Part of Radio & Television ▪ Since their beginning ▪ No consistent paid advertising ▪ Request for donations are made ▪ Network may be ▪ One denomination ▪ Interdenominational  Evangelistic nature of programs ▪ Led to term televangelism ▪ Scandals have occurred over time ▪ But today the industry is strong

 Started on radio  Saturday morning & mid afternoon ▪ Why these times?  Children's TV  Started with use of puppets ▪ Such as (Howdy Doody) ▪ What is the longest running kids show on commercial network TV?

 ACT  Action for Children's Television ▪ Demanded changes in children's programs/commercials ▪ Children's shows have struggled to continue ▪ Telecommunications act of 1996 ▪ Required V-Chip