USC School of Cinematic Arts
Syllabus
Managing Television Stations and Internet Media
“Managing Electronic Media, including TV Stations, Broadcast and Cable
Networks, and the Internet.”
CTPR 461 /Section 18569R / SCA 203
Wednesday 6:30-9:30 PM
Spring 2013
Instructor: Dick Block / 310 452 3355 / dblock@earthlink.net
SA: Sarah Politis / 586 899 9194 / politis@usc.edu
Office Hours: Wed 3- 6. Please contact Sarah for an appointment. The instructor would
like to meet with every student. Other times can be arranged.
INTRODUCTION
CTPR 461 focuses on management issues in cable, radio, TV broadcasting, and digital
mass media.
Weekly guest speakers play a key role for their real-world insights that they bring to the
class. In some instances speakers also represent opportunities for students to develop
potential contacts for involvement in their respective industries and companies.
There is a tradition of a field trip where convergence has expanded classic TV single
channel services to include digital multicast channels, digital mobile programming,
Websites, social media, and apps..
Finally, the primary goal of the course is that students gain a unique understanding of
the dynamics of each category of electronic media including economics, terminology,
programming, marketing, regulation, and history.
WEEKLY STANDARD ASSIGNMENT (WSA)
The three-part WSA is due prior to class addressed to the instructor and cc’d to Sarah.
Please be sure that everything is included in the email itself with no attachments, and
that the subject-line reads: USC / 461 / Week 1 Assignment. (There will be variations
from the WSA from time to time as indicated on the Schedule.) Late, unexcused
submissions will have potential points reduced by 25%.
WSA Part 1
A comprehensive report on the remarks of the previous week’s guest speaker(s).
Students should write the reports as if they were a bylined reporter, with personal
comments and asides included with the essential facts. Bullet point reports are not
acceptable
WSA Part 2
Two questions and the name(s) for the next guest speaker (s). Care should be taken
that questions are relevant and substantive. Bios or resumes of speakers will be emailed
to students in advance of class. Additional research on speakers is encouraged.
WSA Part 3
Three current news items on different media Each item should, subject medium, (1)
Social Media, (2) TV Stations, (3) Radio, and the caption, such as, “Apple Interest in TV
may be Cooling”, CNET 1/23/13
Items may be taken from the LIST OF SUGGESTED READING SOURCES, or other
publications with high journalistic standards such as The New York Times, Los Angeles
Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. Emphasis must be on the respective
industry’s news, and neither widely covered subjects such as ratings of Super Bowls nor
blogs from non-journalists lacking editorial oversight and fact checking are acceptable
for these purposes.
Please include the rationale for selecting an item, and focus on significant subjects that
are important to the industry at hand, and cite the date, caption and date. Another
useful criterion for item selection is that it the student has learned something from it.
GRADING
WSA’s will be returned with comments by the instructor, and the points earned. If
Midterms and Finals will be returned with grades without comment as they will be
objective.
Weekly Assignments: 30% (10 points of which 5 are for the report on the speaker, 2 for
the questions, and 3 for the news items). Exceptional work will be rewarded with
increased points. The March 13-27 Student Career Workshop report will earn 20 points.
Class Participation 10%
Midterm 25%
Final 35% A 91-100% B 82-90. C71-81.D 62-70. F
LIST OF SUGGESTED INDUSTRY DIGITAL READING SOURCES:
ALL THINGS DIGITAL
Internet
*B&C
Broadcast & Cable
BUSINESS INSIDER
Internet
C21 (Daily)
International TV
CABLE U
US Cable Networks
CYNOPSIS MEDIA
TV & Advertising
CYNOPSIS: KIDS!
TV / US & Intl
DEADLINE
Entertainment Biz
MEDIABIZBLOGGERS
Opinions
MEDIA DAILY NEWS
All media
MEDIA POST’S
Television News
MEDIA POST’S
Video
MEDIA REDEFINED
Internet
MULTICHANNEL NEWS
Cable / Satellite
NETNEWSCHECK
Local Digital Media
PAID CONTENT
Internet
RBR TVBR
Radio & TV business
RADIO SALES TODAY
RAB
RADIO INFO DAILY
Radio
RAPID TV NEWS
International TV
TECH CRUNCH
Internet
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER Internet
TV FORMATS WEEKLY
US & Intl TV
TVNEWSCHECK
TV Stations +
TV SPY
Inside local TV news
TV WEEK
TV
*VARIETY, Daily
Entertainment Biz
WRAP The
Entertainment Biz
*WORLD SCREEN
TV / Intl & Kids
Digital
Business Slant
Media
Comprehensive
Weekly Roundup
Daily report
Daily Report
Daily
Daily
Comprehensive
Daily
Daily
Comprehensive
Augments weekly
Daily
Comprehensive
Daily
Radio
Comprehensive
Newsletter-plus
Blogs
Bulletins
Newsletter
Daily
Daily / Comp
Daily Newsletter
Daily
Daily
*Denotes primarily known for paper edition
Ken Lindner & Associates (KLA) is the premier news and hosting agency. KLA
has developed the careers of many of this country's most preeminent network,
syndicated, and local anchors, hosts, and correspondents
SCHEDULE - Subject to change.
In addition to booked guest speakers for Weeks 1 and 2, the following are confirmed
pending the setting of date. Also pending are Fieldtrips. There will be a guest speaker
every week that the class meets on campus.
-Peter Gaffney, SVP, Program Strategy, Scheduling, and Acquisitions, History Channel
-KERN-TV Bakersfield General Manager, News Director, and Digital Manager.
-Noelle Keshishian, PR for the Kardashians and Natalie Lazarraga. Asst. to Kevin Frazier
-Suzanne Kolb, President, E!
-Ken Lindner, head of his agency that places hosts, anchors and reporters in TV
networks, cable networks and TV stations.
-Christie McConnell, VP Development, Shine, and her assistant.
-Andy Russell, SVP, Strategy & Research, PBS, and assistants.
Week 1: January 16 - Guest Speaker: Kevin Frazier, Co-Host, “omg! The Insider,”
nationally syndicated TV show.
Class Topics :
Hello!
Lexicon: 5—Programming
Assignment: WSA
Week 2: January 23 - Guest Speaker: “LA Radio Night”
Talent and managers from some of LA’s top stations.
WSA Student Reports
LA Radio Ratings
Lexicon 6—Research
Assignment: WSA
Week 3: January 30- Guest Speaker: TBA
WSA Student Reports
LA TV Ratings
Lexicon—7 Sales
NAB Financial Report
Assignment: WSA
.
Week 4: February 6 – Guest Speaker: Russ Myerson, Executive Vice President CW
Television Network & General Manager CW PLUS.
Lexicon 1-Associations
Assignment : WSA
Week 5: February 13 - Guest Speaker TBA
Lexicon 2—Government & Regulation
More on Ratings
Assignment: WSA
Week 6: February 20 - Guest Speaker TBA
Class Topics
WSA Student Reports
Syllabus: “Brief History” section.
Midterm Preview
No WSA
Week 7: February 27–Midterm
Guest Speaker: TBA
Assignment: WSA
Week 8: March 6 - Guest Speaker: TBAC
Class Topics:
Post Midterm discussion
Lexicon 4—News
Assignment: WSA
Week 9: March 13 - Guest Speaker: TBA.
Class Topics:
WSA Student Reports
Lexicon 9—Technology
Assignment: Report on all speakers at the 23rd Student Career Workshop, October 5,
2012, Nashville TN. (DVDs will be distributed)
Week 10 : March 20 -Spring Break
Week 11: March 27-Guest Speaker: TBA
Class Topics:
Workshop: Student Reports
Lexicon 3—Cable & ADS
Assignment: WSA
Week 12 April 3–Guest Speaker:TBA
Class Topics:
WSA Student Reports
Lexicon 8—Stations
Assignment: WSA
Week 13: April 10 - Guest Speaker-TBA
Class Topics:
WSA Student Reports
Assignment: WSA
Week 14: April 17
Week 15: April 24– Guest Speaker: TBA
Class Topics:
WSA Student Reports
Assignment: WSA
Week 16 : May 1-Guest Speaker: TBA
Class Topics:
WSA Student Reports
Final Preview
No Assignment
Week 17: May 8
FINAL 7-9 PM
Class Celebration
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student requesting academic accommodations
based on a disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP)
each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained
from DSP. Please be sure that the letter is delivered to the Professor as early in the
semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 am-5:00 pm, Monday
through Friday. The phone number for DSP is (213) 740-0776
DB 01/14/13