The History of TelevisionThe History of Television

TelevisionTelevision

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

Conflicting opinions about tv: the positivesConflicting opinions about tv: the positives Harmless pastimeHarmless pastime Educational toolEducational tool Important part of cultureImportant part of culture

TelevisionTelevision

The negatives:The negatives: Presents dangerously unrealistic picture of Presents dangerously unrealistic picture of

the worldthe world Promotes violencePromotes violence Waste of timeWaste of time

Tv statisticsTv statistics

% of households with at least 1 tv: 99% of households with at least 1 tv: 99 # of tv sets in avg. U.S. household: 2# of tv sets in avg. U.S. household: 2 % of U.S. homes with 3+ tv sets: 66% of U.S. homes with 3+ tv sets: 66 # of hours per day tv is on in avg. U.S. # of hours per day tv is on in avg. U.S.

home: 6 hrs. 47 min.home: 6 hrs. 47 min. % of Americans that regularly watch tv % of Americans that regularly watch tv

while eating dinner: 66while eating dinner: 66

Genres and Program TypesGenres and Program Types

Purpose of tvPurpose of tv #1 to gather an audience for advertisers#1 to gather an audience for advertisers Also:Also:

EntertainmentEntertainment Information/ educationInformation/ education

Genres and Program TypesGenres and Program Types

Because tv programs serve to gather an Because tv programs serve to gather an audience for advertisers (yes, you are viewed as audience for advertisers (yes, you are viewed as a commodity):a commodity): There has been little change in programming since There has been little change in programming since

the beginning of tvthe beginning of tv Networks tend to stick with what has worked in the Networks tend to stick with what has worked in the

past – past – success copyingsuccess copying When a certain type of program is successful on 1 network, When a certain type of program is successful on 1 network,

others rush to produce a similar oneothers rush to produce a similar one Accounts for waves of popularity of certain types of shows Accounts for waves of popularity of certain types of shows

from season to seasonfrom season to season

Genres and Program TypesGenres and Program Types

Very few series last more than 3 yrs; many Very few series last more than 3 yrs; many cancelled during 1cancelled during 1stst yr. yr.

Dependable programming:Dependable programming: Soap opera: daytime tv dramaSoap opera: daytime tv drama

Originated on radio shows; soap companies were often Originated on radio shows; soap companies were often sponsorssponsors

Crime dramaCrime drama CSI, NCIS, Law and OrderCSI, NCIS, Law and Order

Reality tvReality tv First shows: The Real World; CopsFirst shows: The Real World; Cops Currently 1 of the most-watched genresCurrently 1 of the most-watched genres

Dancing w/ Stars, American Idol, The Voice, etc.Dancing w/ Stars, American Idol, The Voice, etc.

Television and StereotypesTelevision and Stereotypes

Stereotype:Stereotype: The application to an entire group of the The application to an entire group of the

qualities of a limited sample of that groupqualities of a limited sample of that group Examples of stereotypes:Examples of stereotypes: How does tv perpetuate stereotypes?How does tv perpetuate stereotypes? How can we dispel stereotypes?How can we dispel stereotypes?

MTV and New Production MTV and New Production TechniquesTechniques

Created in 1981 as an all-music video Created in 1981 as an all-music video channel for young audienceschannel for young audiences

MTV strives to use capabilities of video in MTV strives to use capabilities of video in new waysnew ways Rapid-fire editingRapid-fire editing Hand-held camera movementsHand-held camera movements Synchronizing video edits to musicSynchronizing video edits to music Integration of digital production Integration of digital production

technology/effectstechnology/effects

Broadcast TelevisionBroadcast Television

1350++ stations in the U.S.1350++ stations in the U.S. Channels 2-13 (VHF – very high Channels 2-13 (VHF – very high

frequency)frequency) Channels 14-83+ (UHF – ultra high Channels 14-83+ (UHF – ultra high

frequency)frequency) # of channels available in any given area # of channels available in any given area

increased dramatically: increased dramatically: Cable networksCable networks Satellite dishesSatellite dishes

LicensingLicensing

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

License must be renewed every 3 yrsLicense must be renewed every 3 yrs

4 Major Networks4 Major Networks

Nearly 85% of all tv stations affiliated with Nearly 85% of all tv stations affiliated with (not owned by) 1 of the following:(not owned by) 1 of the following: CBS: Columbia Broadcasting SystemCBS: Columbia Broadcasting System ABC: American Broadcasting CompanyABC: American Broadcasting Company NBC: National Broadcasting CompanyNBC: National Broadcasting Company Fox: Fox Broadcasting CompanyFox: Fox Broadcasting Company

The most profitable stations are those The most profitable stations are those affiliated with 1 of the above networksaffiliated with 1 of the above networks

Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

A tv station that does not belong to a A tv station that does not belong to a major network is either an independent major network is either an independent station or a member of PBSstation or a member of PBS

PBS stations carry cultural and PBS stations carry cultural and educational programmingeducational programming

Supported by gov’t grants, donations from Supported by gov’t grants, donations from foundations and corporations, and foundations and corporations, and contributions from individuals and groupscontributions from individuals and groups

PBSPBS

Not as dependent on advertising $ as Not as dependent on advertising $ as commercial tv networkscommercial tv networks

PBS stations do present messages about PBS stations do present messages about underwriters or supportersunderwriters or supporters

Independent StationsIndependent Stations

Stations that do not belong to a major Stations that do not belong to a major network or PBSnetwork or PBS

Program movies, local sports, and Program movies, local sports, and syndicated tv showssyndicated tv shows

Networks and Local StationsNetworks and Local Stations

Networks are not television stations; they Networks are not television stations; they do not broadcast programs – they supply do not broadcast programs – they supply programs to local tv affiliates via satelliteprograms to local tv affiliates via satellite

Local stations must fill their own Local stations must fill their own programming when networks do not programming when networks do not supply itsupply it

Networks provide programs free to the Networks provide programs free to the affiliates and are paid for the advertising affiliates and are paid for the advertising time they can sell during the programtime they can sell during the program

Cost of AdvertisingCost of Advertising

The cost of advertising depends on the The cost of advertising depends on the popularity of the programpopularity of the program

The more viewers, the higher the cost of The more viewers, the higher the cost of advertisingadvertising

A small amount of time during each A small amount of time during each program is left for the local station to sell program is left for the local station to sell to local advertisersto local advertisers This advertising constitutes main source of This advertising constitutes main source of

income for local stationsincome for local stations

Cable TelevisionCable Television

Began in the late 1940’s as a solution to a Began in the late 1940’s as a solution to a problem in rural areasproblem in rural areas People paid fee to have tv set wired by cable to People paid fee to have tv set wired by cable to

master antennamaster antenna Good reception without expense of rooftop antennaGood reception without expense of rooftop antenna

• From isolated rural areas, tv moved to citiesFrom isolated rural areas, tv moved to cities• Tall buildings and airplane interference impacted Tall buildings and airplane interference impacted

receptionreception• A few cable systems offered subscribers additional A few cable systems offered subscribers additional

channels brought in from nearby cities as added channels brought in from nearby cities as added serviceservice

Cable tvCable tv

Offers more channels than are possible Offers more channels than are possible with broadcast tvwith broadcast tv

Greatest benefit of cable tv: Greatest benefit of cable tv: It offers a large # of channels to everyoneIt offers a large # of channels to everyone

Television RatingsTelevision Ratings

Tv networks have more competition and Tv networks have more competition and find fewer viewers in prime timefind fewer viewers in prime time

Nielson RatingsNielson Ratings Determine a program’s futureDetermine a program’s future Nielson Ratings measure:Nielson Ratings measure:

How many people watched a particular show in a How many people watched a particular show in a particular time slotparticular time slot

What % of households with a tv watched show xWhat % of households with a tv watched show x How show x is rated amongst other shows aired How show x is rated amongst other shows aired

that weekthat week

Nielson RatingsNielson Ratings

The higher the rating, the higher the cost The higher the rating, the higher the cost of advertising, and the higher the revenue of advertising, and the higher the revenue $$$$$$$$$$$$

Up for Debate …Up for Debate …

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