What are O&Os in the context of television?
Local TV stations owned and operated by a network
O&Os are directly controlled by the network, allowing for consistent programming.
What are Affiliates in television broadcasting?
Independently owned local TV stations that sign a contract to air the network’s content
The network reserves the affiliates’ time slots for ads.
Which were the big 3 networks in the network era of TV?
- NBC
- CBS
- ABC
These networks dominated television broadcasting during the network era.
What was the dominant market structure of network era television?
Oligopoly
This structure limited competition and innovation in the television industry.
Who were considered the gatekeepers of prime TV?
The Big Three: NBC, CBS, ABC
They controlled the majority of prime-time television content.
Define Live anthology drama.
Early broadcast television in the 1950s with new storylines and characters each week
It brought dramatic theatre to television.
What is a Filmed episodic series?
Main characters remain the same from week to week
This format allows for character development over time.
What are Chapter shows?
Storylines wrap up each week
This format provides closure to viewers at the end of each episode.
Define Serial programs.
Storylines continue across episodes
This format encourages viewers to follow the story over multiple episodes.
What is a Hybrid Series?
Combines both serial and chapter programs
This format offers a mix of ongoing storylines and episodic closure.
What is Cloning in TV show production?
Creating a new series by copying the features of a popular program
This strategy aims to replicate successful elements to attract viewers.
Define Spin-off.
Creating a new series based on a character from a hit series
Spin-offs leverage existing popularity to gain an audience.
What is a Franchise in television?
Creating shows that share the same fictional universe and brand using the same source material
This strategy expands the narrative universe and engages fans.
What is the Single-sponsorship model in advertising?
Programs produced with the support of a single sponsor
Example: Colgate Comedy Hour.
What is the Magazine-sponsorship model?
30-60 second ad spots sold by the network to various sponsors
This model gives more creative control to the networks.
How did television become a daily habit of the people?
New shows aired on weekday mornings, soap operas on afternoons, children’s media in late afternoons, news in evenings, and sports on weekends
These schedules were based on biased assumptions about gender and class.
What were the challenges of the network era of TV?
- Content quality
- Concentrated cultural power
- Unfair competition
- Limited local control
These challenges affected innovation and viewer choice.
What contributed to the end of the network era?
Lack of access to broadcast television, cable channels, media tech, and programming strategies
These factors diminished the dominance of the Big Three networks.
What model replaced the free broadcast model in the post-network era?
Cable television’s subscription model
This shift changed how viewers accessed content.
Define Cable franchise.
Mini monopoly awarded to a cable company for usually 15 years to provide local cable services
This structure allows for regulated cable service provision.
What are Franchise fees?
Fees paid by cable operators to the city for operation
These fees are part of the regulatory framework for cable services.
What are Cable channels?
Television channels provided by cable
They include both basic and premium cable options.
What is Basic cable?
Local broadcast, access channels for education, regional broadcast
Basic cable provides essential programming without additional fees.
What is Premium cable?
Additional fees for additional content like HBO
Premium channels offer exclusive programming.
