Test 2 (Chapter 6)

Question 1

in television, standard broadcast signals made of radio waves (replaced by digital standards in 2009).

Answer 1

analog

Question 2

in television, the type of signals that are transmitted as binary code.

Answer 2

digital

Question 3

in television programming the hours between 8-11pm (or 7-10pm in the Midwest), when networks have traditionally drawn their largest audiences and charged their highest advertising rates.

Answer 3

prime time

Question 4

the period in television history, roughly from the mid-1950s to the late 1970s, that refers to the dominance of the Big Three networks - ABC, CBS, and NBC - over programming and prime-time viewing habits; the era began eroding with a decline in viewing and with the development of VCRs, cable, and new TV networks.

Answer 4

network era

Question 5

any specialized electronic programming or media channel aimed at a target audience.

Answer 5

narrowcasting

Question 6

an early cable system that originated where mountains or tall buildings blocked TV signals; because of early technical and regulatory limits, CATV contained only twelve channels.

Answer 6

CATV

Question 7

a cable programming, a tier of channels composed of local broadcast signals, non broadcast access channels (for local government, education, and general public use), a few regional PBS stations, and a variety of cable channels downlinked from communication satellites.

Answer 7

basic cable

Question 8

local independent TV stations, such as WTBS in Atlanta or WGN in Chicago, that have uplinked their signals onto a communication satellite to make themselves available nationwide.

Answer 8

superstitions

Question 9

in cable programming, a tier of channels that subscribers can order at an additional monthly fee over their basic cable service; these may include move channels and interactive services.

Answer 9

premium channels

Question 10

a satellite-based service that for a monthly fee downlinks hundreds of satellite channels and services; DBS began distributing video programming directly to households in 1994

Answer 10

direct broadcast satellite

Question 11

the process whereby television viewers record shows and watch them later, when it is convenient for them.

Answer 11

time shifting

Question 12

before the days of videotape, a 1950s technique for preserving television broadcasts by using a film camera to record a live TV show off a studio monitor

Answer 12

kinescope

Question 13

short television comedy skits that are usually segments of TV variety shows; sometimes known as video, the marriage of vaudeville and video.

Answer 13

sketch comedy

Question 14

a type of comedy series that features a recurring cast and set as well as several narrative scenes; each episode establishes a situation, complicates it, develops increasing confusion among its characters, and then resolves the complications.

Answer 14

situation comedy

Question 15

a TV hybrid of the sitcom in which characters and settings are usually more important than complicated and settings are usually more important than complicated situations; it generally features a domestic problem or work issue that characters have to solve.

Answer 15

domestic comedy

Question 16

FCC rules that prohibited the major networks from running their own syndication companies or from charging production companies additional fees after shows had completed their prime-time runs; most fin-sun rules were rescinded in the mid-1990s.

Answer 16

fin-syn (Financial Interest and Syndication Rules)

Question 17

an FCC regulation that reduced networks’ control of prime-time programming to encourage more local news and public-affairs programs, often between 6-7pm.

Answer 17

Prime Time Access Rule

Question 18

rules established by the FCC requiring all cable operators to assign channels to and carry all local TV broadcasts on their systems, thereby ensuring that local network affiliates, independent stations (those not carrying network programs), public television channels would benefit from cable’s clearer reception.

Answer 18

must-carry rules

Question 19

the sweeping update of telecommunications law that led to a wave of media consolidation.

Answer 19

Telecommunications Act of 1996

Question 20

n televison, the process whereby a TV production company leases its programs to a network for a license fee that is actually less than the cost of production; the company hopes to recoup this loss later in rerun syndication.

Answer 20

deficit financing

Question 21

TV stations “owned and operated” by networks.

Answer 21

O & Os

Question 22

int television, the time slot either immediately before the evening’s prime-time schedule (called early fringe) or immediately following the local evening news or the network’s late-night talk shows (called late fringe).

Answer 22

fringe time