Chapter 8 questions

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1. What was TV like in its Golden Age?
heavily focused on live drama anthologies and news and public affairs programs

2. How did cable television develop?
Cable companies relayed signals from major market TV stations to smaller communities. In 1972, the FCC reversed its ban on urban cable and instituted a minimum 20 channel system.

3. Why is network television in decline?
Cable, satellite, and the Internet are playing big parts in the decline.

4. How has digital technology impacted television?
It has made the picture and sound clearer. It has given rise to HDTV and multicasting.


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1. What are the Big Five media conglomerates?
Time Warner, Disney Corporation, National Entertainment/Viacom, National Entertainment/CBS, News Corp, NBC Universal/Comcast

2. Why is it hard to make a profit from network television?
They often pay huge fees for sports, production fees for entertainment shows, and multimillion-dollar salaries for on-air talent. They also pay the same taxes and operating expenses all media firs incur.

3. What is the relationship between television networks and their affiliates?
Local affiliate program directors arrange contracts with networks and syndicators and fills the broadcast schedule.

4. How do the economics of broadcast television production differ from those of cable channels?
Cable channels have revenue stream of fees built in that broadcasters don't. Thus, it is easier for cable channels to become profitable than it is for networks.


Page 243

1. Why are there so many reality shows on TV these days?
It's cheap to produce.

2. What strategies do networks use to maintain the flow of audiences between programs?
They may schedule programs of the same genre in blocks. They will have a new show follow a proven show. In some cases, an established show will be between two weaker shows. Local stations run the same show in the same time slot every day.

3. What are the current rules governing television ownership?
There is a law preventing the Big Five owning TV stations that reach more than 39 percent of the TV households.

4. How can we clean up violence and sex on television?
FCC regulations, not watch it, or advise what the program contains, and/or get annoying organizations like The American Family Association to advocate for cleaner TV

5. How diverse is television ownership?
This question requires more work than should be necessary. I may get back to it.