TEST 2 (Study Guide Answers)

Question 1

List the two reasons why radio networks developed.

Answer 1

• To avoid unnecessary duplication,

- For centralized and controlled costs and programming

Question 2

List the three reasons why radio networks were important.

Answer 2

1. Helped move radio from a local service to national,
2. helped unite the country because everyone experienced events together
3. helped create American identity.

Question 3

Name the two inventions that save radio and describe why each was important.

Answer 3

1. Transistors:
   - less power/heat, durable, tiny, cheap,
   allowed radio to become a background medium.
2. Invention of FM-broadcasts in stereo:
   -high fidelity, music sounds better and music had become the primary programming.
   -Early radio was all AM - no depth of sound.

Question 4

Explain the four ways the networks broke the sponsor’s hold on programming.

Answer 4

1. Increased the length of shows
   - from 15 min. to 30 or 60 min. thus making shows more expensive.
2. The Quiz Show scandals
   - Networks were able to blame to sponsors for the whole scandal.
3. Magazine Shows
   - the Today and the Tonight Show ran every day for 90 or 120 minutes. It was far too expensive for one sponsor.
4. Spectaculars
   - Brought in Broadway. One-time shows, sponsors weren’t interested in one-time shows, they wanted shows that aired regularly.

Question 5

Briefly explain what happened on the quiz shows and the three results of the scandal.

Answer 5

1-Sponsor control of programming was severed because the network shift of blame to sponsors
2-Disillusionment: People felt betrayed because they thought TV couldn’t lie.
3-Separation of the privileged few and general masses:
4-Beginning of the idea that TV was a corrupting force and only for stupid people.

Question 6

Explain when, why, and how cable started and list the two big advantages that early cable had.

Answer 6

When -1949.
Why - people without TV stations in their area wanted it and appliance stores wanted to sell them. How - a giant antenna and cables, giant antennas on the tallest hill or building in town, and cables ran to houses.
eliminated over the air interference, and increased channel capacity.

Question 7

List four provisions of the Cable Act of 1984 and the reason why the Act was passed.

Answer 7

1. capped the franchise fee at 5% gross revenue.
2. made it difficult to switch to a different company at the
   end of the franchise period
3. ended rate regulation
4. phased out must-carry rule.

Question 8

List the three results of the Cable Act of 1984

Answer 8

1. Rates went through the roof $9-$19
2. PBS and other independent stations were dropped
3. Customer service plummeted

Question 9

List the two provisions of the Cable Act of 1992. Be sure to explain retransmission consent.

Answer 9

Regulated rates
added to must-carry
- retransmission consent (local channels) Retransmission consent is when the broadcast stations demand money in exchange for the right to air the station on cable

Question 10

Explain the three ingredients to the Hollywood style. Each ingredient must be defined fully.

Answer 10

Narrative: story - plot, what happens to who? discourse - how the story is told

Author: Director provides the vision for the film

Genre: familiar mode that can be imitated, retelling the
same stories - over and over, and the stories change to reflect the times they were made.

Question 11

List the five types of product placement

Answer 11

1. classic aa
2. corporate
3. evocative
4. stealth
5. fictional

Question 12

Discuss the different kinds of film violence and discuss which you feel has the most impact. Be able to discuss the factors that can mitigate the impact of media violence.

Answer 12

Reservoir Dogs 
cheesy car chase movie Lethal Weapon 2
The godfather
 Self-Defense/Abuse movie Tina Turner & Husband
train robber?

Question 13

Mitigating Factors of Media Violence

Answer 13

1. Context
2. Consequences
3. Real
4. History
5. Comedy (Slapstick)
6. Music/Sound
7. Framing

Question 14

Discuss the differing roles the Black Press has played over the years.

Answer 14

Prior to the civil war black press was used to advocate against slavery:
-Black Americans could speak for themselves rather than just the white abolitionists

After the civil war it put the spotlight on the black community:
-Highlighted accomplishments instead of just crimes like the “white” press did.

After the civil war it was used to communicate and connect:

      - They were able to use the written word without fear (it used to be illegal for slaves to read/write) 
       - Elevated moral
       - And even later on (1920’s) it gave information on good neighborhoods to move/ safe places to eat… etc… (which also lead to the Great Migration- Move to the North! They said.)