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