CHAPTER 8
BUSINESS PRACTICES

General Management
1. CEO
2. Multiple station ownership
3. Local Marketing Agreement
4. Group Managers

Human Resources
1. Same functions as with any
company or business
2. Production companies run
differently

Programming
1. Structure dependent upon
type of facility (network,
cable, local station)
2. Local stations program
local shows
3. Network and cable program
from NY or LA
Commercial Radio Networks/
Syndicators
 Networks create their own
 Syndicators package deals
 Not as noticeable in radio
Commercial Radio Stations
 Formats
 Highly segmented audiences
 Specific target demographics
 Will become more targeted
 Use of a “clock”
 Dayparting
 News (AP/UPI)
 Non commercial and college
Commercial Television Networks

Established protocol from the
early days of TV
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In house production company
Independent prod company
Purpose of financial/
syndication rules (fin/syn)
Definition of major and
independent productions
License fees
How shows are conceived
1. First an idea
2. Treatment
3. Pitch
4. Pilot
5. 2000 ideas = 200 scripts =
30 pilots = 6 to 8 hits
“Seasons”
1. Originally 30-39 shows
2. Today 20-24 episodes
Programming strategies
1. “block programming”
2. “hammocking”
3. “tentpoling”
4. “counterprogramming”
5. “bridging”

Syndicators
1. Sell programs to anyone
except the networks
2. Primary customers are
local stations and local
“O & O’s”
3. Types of syndicated shows
a.
“off-net”
b.
“first-run”

Commercial Television Station
1. What are affiliates
2. Independents
3. Made for TV
4. “Stripping”
5. Payment for programs
a.
Cash
b.
Cash plus barter
c.
straight barter

Public Television Networks
1.
2.
3.
4.

PBS
Non commercial
Enhanced programming
Enhanced underwriting
Cable TV Networks
1. Exclusive rights
2. Made for cable
3. “narrowcasting”
Other Departments
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Engineering
Sales and Marketing
Account Executives
Research
Traffic
Public Relations
Promotion and Publicity
Promos (Internal/external)