Television

Television

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Based on scientific invention Attractive advertising medium Influential mass media Convergence to new technologies

Beginning A. 1950s: Flourishing Era • 5” $200; 12” $600 • 90% of U.S. household owned TV sets • 70 million sets sold > 40.5 million berth • Major Networks reaching the whole nation: AT&T coaxial cable and microwave relay (1951)

The beginning B. Content: 2. Cross over from radio: Drama, sitcoms, variety 3. Feature film and talk show 4. TV news & documentary. – Edward R. Murrow (CBS); – David Brinkley & Chat Huntley (NBC).

5. Time Brokers until the quiz show scandal The $64,000 Question fixed outcome scandal Networks sold commercial spot time

Lucille Ball: I love Lucy • 1951 changed TV producing • Live-on-film: film cameras instead of TV cameras

• Editing • Program Reruns • Weekly series produced in short time – 39 weeks in 20-24 weeks

McCarthyism • FBI Report on Communist Influence in R & TV. • Accused 151 broadcast personalities • Advertisers avoided broadcasters who hired these people • Networks background screen for employees. • 1954 all network coverage of hearings

Nielsen Ratings Cross over from Radio Started in 1923 as product testing Developed into Market Research 1936 radio ratings 1950 television ratings 15,000 households selected Peoplemeter: press button to record viewing choice, time, etc. • Paper diary surveys: Feb, May, July, Nov. • • • • • • •

– Combined w/ peoplemeter; advertisers set rates for 3 months

• 2011: Electronic Survey

1960 Influence • 1967 Public Broadcasting Act: educational stations, PBS. 300 affiliates, now. • 1960 debate: Nixon-Kennedy • 1963 Kennedy’s funeral • 1969 Armstrong’s walk on the moon • Civil rights & anti-vietnam

TV Industry • Networks: affiliates (1,366) • Controlled by few organizations: – ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX

• Affiliate relationship: 4. Network Programs – Compensation (direct pay) – Local commercial time (local advertisers)

5. Off network Programs – Network-type programs controlled by

Cable & Satellite Television • 2001 more shares than network TV • Basic Programming: TBS, TNT, USA, Comedy Central

• Premium Cable: HBO, Showtime, Starz, Encore, Sports Channels

Convergence

Digital TV • • • •

HDTV: high definition television Multiplexing: dividing channel VCR – DVD ––DVR Portable Video devices