The History of Television Television Introduced to the

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The History of Television

The History of Television

Television § Introduced to the masses at the NY World’s fair in 1939 §

Television § Introduced to the masses at the NY World’s fair in 1939 § Conflicting opinions about tv: the positives § Harmless pastime § Educational tool § Important part of culture

Television § The negatives: § Presents dangerously unrealistic picture of the world § Promotes

Television § The negatives: § Presents dangerously unrealistic picture of the world § Promotes violence § Waste of time

Tv statistics § % of households with at least 1 tv: 99 § #

Tv statistics § % of households with at least 1 tv: 99 § # of tv sets in avg. U. S. household: 2 § % of U. S. homes with 3+ tv sets: 66 § # of hours per day tv is on in avg. U. S. home: 6 hrs. 47 min. § % of Americans that regularly watch tv while eating dinner: 66

Genres and Program Types § Purpose of tv § #1 to gather an audience

Genres and Program Types § Purpose of tv § #1 to gather an audience for advertisers § Also: § Entertainment § Information/ education

Genres and Program Types § Because tv programs serve to gather an audience for

Genres and Program Types § Because tv programs serve to gather an audience for advertisers (yes, you are viewed as a commodity): § There has been little change in programming since the beginning of tv § Networks tend to stick with what has worked in the past – success copying § When a certain type of program is successful on 1 network, others rush to produce a similar one § Accounts for waves of popularity of certain types of shows from season to season

Genres and Program Types § Very few series last more than 3 yrs; many

Genres and Program Types § Very few series last more than 3 yrs; many cancelled during 1 st yr. § Dependable programming: § Soap opera: daytime tv drama § Originated on radio shows; soap companies were often sponsors § Crime drama § CSI, NCIS, Law and Order § Reality tv § First shows: The Real World; Cops § Currently 1 of the most-watched genres § Dancing w/ Stars, American Idol, The Voice, etc.

Television and Stereotypes § Stereotype: § The application to an entire group of the

Television and Stereotypes § Stereotype: § The application to an entire group of the qualities of a limited sample of that group § Examples of stereotypes: § How does tv perpetuate stereotypes? § How can we dispel stereotypes?

MTV and New Production Techniques § Created in 1981 as an all-music video channel

MTV and New Production Techniques § Created in 1981 as an all-music video channel for young audiences § MTV strives to use capabilities of video in new ways § Rapid-fire editing § Hand-held camera movements § Synchronizing video edits to music § Integration of digital production technology/effects

Broadcast Television § 1350++ stations in the U. S. § Channels 2 -13 (VHF

Broadcast Television § 1350++ stations in the U. S. § Channels 2 -13 (VHF – very high frequency) § Channels 14 -83+ (UHF – ultra high frequency) § # of channels available in any given area increased dramatically: § Cable networks § Satellite dishes

Licensing § Tv stations are licensed by the FCC to serve the “public interest”

Licensing § Tv stations are licensed by the FCC to serve the “public interest” § License must be renewed every 3 yrs

4 Major Networks § Nearly 85% of all tv stations affiliated with (not owned

4 Major Networks § Nearly 85% of all tv stations affiliated with (not owned by) 1 of the following: § CBS: Columbia Broadcasting System § ABC: American Broadcasting Company § NBC: National Broadcasting Company § Fox: Fox Broadcasting Company § The most profitable stations are those affiliated with 1 of the above networks

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) § A tv station that does not belong to a

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) § A tv station that does not belong to a major network is either an independent station or a member of PBS § PBS stations carry cultural and educational programming § Supported by gov’t grants, donations from foundations and corporations, and contributions from individuals and groups

PBS § Not as dependent on advertising $ as commercial tv networks § PBS

PBS § Not as dependent on advertising $ as commercial tv networks § PBS stations do present messages about underwriters or supporters

Independent Stations § Stations that do not belong to a major network or PBS

Independent Stations § Stations that do not belong to a major network or PBS § Program movies, local sports, and syndicated tv shows

Networks and Local Stations § Networks are not television stations; they do not broadcast

Networks and Local Stations § Networks are not television stations; they do not broadcast programs – they supply programs to local tv affiliates via satellite § Local stations must fill their own programming when networks do not supply it § Networks provide programs free to the affiliates and are paid for the advertising time they can sell during the program

Cost of Advertising § The cost of advertising depends on the popularity of the

Cost of Advertising § The cost of advertising depends on the popularity of the program § The more viewers, the higher the cost of advertising § A small amount of time during each program is left for the local station to sell to local advertisers § This advertising constitutes main source of income for local stations

Cable Television § Began in the late 1940’s as a solution to a problem

Cable Television § Began in the late 1940’s as a solution to a problem in rural areas § People paid fee to have tv set wired by cable to master antenna § Good reception without expense of rooftop antenna • From isolated rural areas, tv moved to cities • Tall buildings and airplane interference impacted reception • A few cable systems offered subscribers additional channels brought in from nearby cities as added service

Cable tv § Offers more channels than are possible with broadcast tv § Greatest

Cable tv § Offers more channels than are possible with broadcast tv § Greatest benefit of cable tv: § It offers a large # of channels to everyone

Television Ratings § Tv networks have more competition and find fewer viewers in prime

Television Ratings § Tv networks have more competition and find fewer viewers in prime time § Nielson Ratings § Determine a program’s future § Nielson Ratings measure: § How many people watched a particular show in a particular time slot § What % of households with a tv watched show x § How show x is rated amongst other shows aired that week

Nielson Ratings § The higher the rating, the higher the cost of advertising, and

Nielson Ratings § The higher the rating, the higher the cost of advertising, and the higher the revenue $$$$$$

Up for Debate … § Has television had a positive or negative effect on

Up for Debate … § Has television had a positive or negative effect on people and culture over the past 70 years? § Discuss!!!!