MAS 101 EXAM 2 STUDY GUIDE
The Eras of Television
1941-1957: Birth of Broadcast TV -- from radio model 1941-1957
1958-1985: Network Era -- big three network oligopoly
1986-2008: Post Network Era -- erosion of oligopoly
2009-today: Digital Era -- streaming
Color Television Introduction
1954: Color Television is Approved by the FCC
Single Camera System *
the show is shot much more like a film, without a live audience
Three-Camera Live System *
all three cameras will have either one focal point with three different angles or
three different focal points
Big Three Broadcast Networks
NBC, CBS, ABC
Quiz Show Scandal *
1959 - rigged quiz shows, public anger, networks realized they needed more
control
O&O's
CBS
Affiliates
ABC
Prime Time Programming
NBC
Types of Shows
Anthology Dramas: live theatrical 3 camera performances. New characters
each week
Episodic Series: a format in which main characters remain the same each week
& include Chapter Shows and Serial Programs
, Chapter Shows: all story lines wrap up each week (Law & Order, crime
shows)
Serial programs: story lines continue across episodes (daytime and primetime
soaps)
Hybrid series: one plotline may wrap up, but other story arcs play out over
several episodes or seasons
Mini-Series: limited hype
Origins of TV Industry
1960's
Moved from NYC to LA. from theater to film
Big Three Network Drove down costs of shows
Single Sponsorship Model *
Programs were developed, produced, and supported by a single sponsor;
networks lacked creative control
Magazine Sponsorship Model *
“Pat” Weaver, advocated the magazine concept, in which advertisers
purchased one- or two-minute blocks rather than the entire program, just
as magazines contained multiple advertisements from different sponsors. The
presence of multiple sponsors meant that no one advertiser controlled the entire
program.
Subscription Model
customers are charged on a recurring basis for a product or service
Criticisms of Early TV from Network Era *
Content Quality
Concentrated Cultural Power
Unfair Competition
Limited Local Control
PBS
Public Broadcasting Service (1969)
targets viewers "less attractive" to commercial networks
Educational, British TV shows, News/Investigative
The Eras of Television
1941-1957: Birth of Broadcast TV -- from radio model 1941-1957
1958-1985: Network Era -- big three network oligopoly
1986-2008: Post Network Era -- erosion of oligopoly
2009-today: Digital Era -- streaming
Color Television Introduction
1954: Color Television is Approved by the FCC
Single Camera System *
the show is shot much more like a film, without a live audience
Three-Camera Live System *
all three cameras will have either one focal point with three different angles or
three different focal points
Big Three Broadcast Networks
NBC, CBS, ABC
Quiz Show Scandal *
1959 - rigged quiz shows, public anger, networks realized they needed more
control
O&O's
CBS
Affiliates
ABC
Prime Time Programming
NBC
Types of Shows
Anthology Dramas: live theatrical 3 camera performances. New characters
each week
Episodic Series: a format in which main characters remain the same each week
& include Chapter Shows and Serial Programs
, Chapter Shows: all story lines wrap up each week (Law & Order, crime
shows)
Serial programs: story lines continue across episodes (daytime and primetime
soaps)
Hybrid series: one plotline may wrap up, but other story arcs play out over
several episodes or seasons
Mini-Series: limited hype
Origins of TV Industry
1960's
Moved from NYC to LA. from theater to film
Big Three Network Drove down costs of shows
Single Sponsorship Model *
Programs were developed, produced, and supported by a single sponsor;
networks lacked creative control
Magazine Sponsorship Model *
“Pat” Weaver, advocated the magazine concept, in which advertisers
purchased one- or two-minute blocks rather than the entire program, just
as magazines contained multiple advertisements from different sponsors. The
presence of multiple sponsors meant that no one advertiser controlled the entire
program.
Subscription Model
customers are charged on a recurring basis for a product or service
Criticisms of Early TV from Network Era *
Content Quality
Concentrated Cultural Power
Unfair Competition
Limited Local Control
PBS
Public Broadcasting Service (1969)
targets viewers "less attractive" to commercial networks
Educational, British TV shows, News/Investigative
