Test 2 (Chapter 6) Flashcards
in television, standard broadcast signals made of radio waves (replaced by digital standards in 2009).
analog
in television, the type of signals that are transmitted as binary code.
digital
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.
prime time
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.
network era
any specialized electronic programming or media channel aimed at a target audience.
narrowcasting
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.
CATV
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.
basic cable
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.
superstitions
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.
premium channels
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
direct broadcast satellite
the process whereby television viewers record shows and watch them later, when it is convenient for them.
time shifting
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
kinescope
short television comedy skits that are usually segments of TV variety shows; sometimes known as video, the marriage of vaudeville and video.
sketch comedy
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.
situation comedy
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.
domestic comedy
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.
fin-syn (Financial Interest and Syndication Rules)
an FCC regulation that reduced networks’ control of prime-time programming to encourage more local news and public-affairs programs, often between 6-7pm.
Prime Time Access Rule
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.
must-carry rules
the sweeping update of telecommunications law that led to a wave of media consolidation.
Telecommunications Act of 1996
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.
deficit financing
TV stations “owned and operated” by networks.
O & Os
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).
fringe time
