TV Programming




American viewing habits have changed rapidly
over the last two decades.
Americans have more programming choices.
Average American receives 74 channels but only
watches 15-17.
Americans have more “entertainment” choices.
Americans can determine when, where and how
they watch their favorite programs.
TV Programming



The primary goal of broadcast networks, local stations and
basic cable networks is to maximize the size of an audience
targeted by advertisers.
The primary goal of specialty cable networks is to attract the
most viewers possible from its target audience to entice
advertisers with looking for those demographics.
The primary goal of a public television station is to provide
alternative, educational and/ or informative programming.
TV Programming




We’re going to look at programming from several
angles:
What kinds of programs are available?
Where do those programs originate?
Who pays for those programs?
Who makes money off those programs?
A Programmer’s Task





Choose programs that meet the needs and wants of an
audience.
Negotiate the development or “rights” to a program.
Organize those programs into a cohesive schedule that
flows from one program to the next.
Market the programs to the appropriate audience.
Convince advertisers the programs will reach their
consumers.
TV “Dayparts”









7-9 a.m.
9-Noon
Noon-3 p.m.
3-5 p.m.
5-6 p.m.
6-8 p.m.
8-11 p.m.
11-1 a.m.
1 a.m.-7 a.m.
Early Morning
Morning
Early Fringe
Fringe
Late Fringe
Access
Primetime
Late Night
Overnight
Programming Genres








Sitcoms
Dramas
Action-Adventure (Westerns, Sci-Fi, Cop Shows)
Soap Operas (daytime and primetime)
Reality
Game Shows
Variety
How to Shows
Programming Genres







Animation
Children’s Programming
Movies (Made-for-TV, Theatrical)
Mini-Series
Specials
News
Sports
Where Does Network Television
Programming Come From?

Broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, WB,
UPN) buy many of their programs from studios
(some of which now own broadcast or cable
networks) or independent producers or produce
the programs themselves.
Financial Syndication Rule
The financial syndication rule previously
prohibited broadcast networks from owning
primetime programming and syndicating it
(selling it) among local television stations and
cable networks. The rule was put in place to keep
television networks from becoming too rich, too
powerful and too controlling.
Financial Syndication Rule
Broadcast networks, which reached 90 percent of
primetime viewers in their heyday, had tremendous
potential to influence viewers. Plus, they were “money
machines,” and allowing them to make even more money
through selling programming to local stations made the
FCC nervous.
The FCC did not want those powerful few controlling the
airwaves. Networks were only allowed to own or produce
2.5 hours of entertainment programming. There were no
restrictions on news and sports.
Fin-Syn






The rule was repealed in 1992 and disappeared in 1995.
The disappearance of the rule has transformed the television business.
Warner Brothers and Paramount, which were already in the business
of producing programming, launched their own networks so they
would have a place to air their product.
Disney bought ABC/Cap Cities for the same reason.
NBC was the only network without a major Hollywood studio
connection until its recent acquisition of Vivendi-Universal.
Now, every major broadcast network has a significant production
presence as well several outlets for distribution.
Fin-Syn



In 1985, the networks collectively owned 7
percent of their primetime schedule (the rule at
the time allowed networks to each own only 2.5
hours of its entire primetime schedule).
Now, the networks have an interest in or own over
half of their primetime schedule.
What does this mean to viewers?
Fin-Syn
Thanks to the repeal of the financial-syndication
rule, those broadcast networks, the same ones the
FCC feared were becoming too powerful, now
control many of the channels we watch as well as
what’s on them.
Where Do Cable Programs Come From?




Cable networks often create and produce their own
programming.
Or buy programming from program syndicators.
Or buy programming from independent program
producers or production houses.
Many cable networks are owned by large media
corporations who are in the primary business of creating
programming. Developing a cable channel gives them an
outlet for their product.
Who Do Public TV Stations Get Their
Programs?
Public television stations air programs they select
from offerings provided by PBS. Many of those
programs, or their producers, receive funding
from the government.
Many public television stations, especially in
large markets, create their own programming.
Programming Costs



Television programming is expensive to produce.
“ER” cost NBC $2 million an episode when it debuted. It
now costs over $13 million. An episode of “Survivor”
costs $695,000.
An average night of primetime programming costs
between $3 and $5 million. Programming costs account
for more than half of a network’s total expenses.
Local TV Programming


Local television stations air programs they receive
from the network with which they are affiliated.
This usually accounts for 75 percent of their
schedule.
They fill non-network time periods with local
programs (usually news and sports) and programs
they purchase from outside sources (syndicators)
Syndicated TV Programming


Syndicated programming is sold by distribution
companies to local broadcast stations and cable networks.
First-run programming refers to programs produced
primarily for sale to individual stations (for example,
Oprah, Dr. Phil, Live, Wheel of Fortune, ET, Ellen, etc.).
Some new ventures for 2006-07 include Geraldo at Large,
Judge Maria Lopez, The Greg Behrendt Show, Dr. Keith
Ablow.
Syndicated TV Programming



Off-network programming refers to programs that
have previously aired on a broadcast network (for
example: Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends,
ER)
Syndicated prices are based on market size.
Stations also negotiate the number of “runs,” per
title.
First-run programs are priced on an annual or
multiple-year contract.
Syndicated TV Programming

Off-network is based on a per-episode fee.
Everybody Loves Raymond is priced at $8,000 an
episode.
There are 200 episodes.
Cost to the station is $$1,600,000, but station is
obligated to take any additional episodes
produced for the network at a 10 percent annual
increase.
Syndicated TV Programming


Many syndicated programs now contain commercials sold
by the syndicator and stations are obligated to air those
commercials even if they pre-empt or cancel the program.
Stations also can obtain programming through barter.
Stations keep half of the commercial inventory, the
syndicator keeps the other half. No money changes hands.
Programming Strategies


Lead-off: placing the strongest program in the
first position of the daypart to attract the largest
possible audience (Friends on NBC on Thursday)
Lead-in: placing a strong program before a new or
weaker show (Raymond before 2 ½ Men on CBS
Monday)
Programming Strategies


Hammocking: placing a new or weaker show
between two strong programs (placing Coupling
between Will and Grace & ER on NBC on
Thursday)
Block Programming: placing programs of the
same genre back-to-back (four comedies on CBS
on Monday)
Programming Strategies


Tent-Poling: using the strongest program to
anchor the schedule at 9 p.m. (Two and A Half
Men on CBS on Monday)
Counter-Programming: offering a programming
slate that attracts an audience different from that
of the competition (CBS’s comedy block vs. MNF
on ABC; Survivor began as counterprogramming to NBC’s Thursday night lineup)
Programming Strategies

Stunting: doing anything unusual to the regular
lineup (running two episodes of That 70s Show
back-to-back, having a big-name guest star appear
in episodes of back-to-back sitcoms, etc.)
Programming Strategies

Bridging: rarely used strategy of starting an hour
program on the half hour to get a head start on the
competition
Issues in TV Programming





Diversity
Violence
Family Viewing Hour
Sexual Responsibility
“Good Taste”
TV’s Broadcast Primetime Programming
Slate








Game Shows:
Movies:
Animation:
Sports:
News:
Reality:
Dramas:
Sitcoms:
5
4
1
0
7
14
27
18