Television Today

1
Television Today

• Television is an industry
• driven by commercial motives, technological
  change and customer -- or viewer satisfaction
  
• regulated and scrutinized by the government
• licensed to serve the public interest

2
Television Today

• Broadcasting is
• transmitting sound and pictures by means of
  radio waves through space for reception by the
  general public.
  
• Cable is
• transmitting sound and pictures through a
  coaxial cable for reception by an audience that
  pays for the service.
  
• Direct broadcast satellite is
• transmitting broadcast and cable programming by
  satellite to a receiver attached to the home of
  the subscriber
  
• Podcasting is
• transmitting programming over the internet,
  through cell phones and other electronic devices
  

3
Television Today

• These differences affect
• Government regulation
• Economic principals, practices and structures
• Programming philosophies and strategies
• Technological advancements
• Ethical issues and considerations
• Responsibilities to viewers, owners and
  advertisers
  

4
Television Today

• There are approximately 1,600 television
  stations in the United States today. 77 percent
  are commercial stations, 23 percent are public
  television stations. All but 400 of the
  commercial stations are affiliated with a Big
  Four network.
• There are seven broadcast networks ABC, CBS,
  NBC, Fox, CW, PBS and Pax-TV.
  
• There are between 40-50 cable networks in
  operation.
  
• There are hundred of satellite channels.

5
Television Today

• American viewing habits are changing.
• In 1978-79, ABC, CBS and NBC garnered 91 percent
  of the primetime viewing audience.
  
• In 2001-2002, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN and WB
  garnered a primetime share of 42 percent.
  
• Last week in primetime, 28 percent of the TV
  households in the U.S. were tuned to the Big Four
  ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Add in UPN, the WB and
  Pax-TV, the number was 33.7 percent.

6
Television Today

• Time Spent Using Consumer Media
• Hours per person per year
• Network Indies Basic Premium
  Internet
  
• 1995 865 179 447
  89 5
  
• 1998 710 174
  566 101 61
  
• 2001 806 61
  639 137 149

7
Television Today

• Broadcast Television Stations
• VHF very high frequency, channels 2-13,
  broadcast range of 65 miles
  
• UHF ultra high frequency, channels 14-69,
  broadcast range of 30-40 miles
  
• LPTV low power, operate with reduced coverage,
  broadcast range of 12-15 miles
  
• All broadcast stations are licensed by the
  Federal Communications Commission.
  

8
Television Today

• Commercial stations are generally set up and run
  the same way, no matter their size or ownership.
  
• General Manager oversees entire operation
• General Sales Manager oversees national and
  local sales department
  
• News Director oversees the news department
  which includes producers, assignment editors,
  reporters, photographers, anchors and weather and
  sports
• Programming Director responsible for
  programming during the entire broadcast day
  
• Production Manager oversees studio crew and
  remote location crew
  

9
Television Today

• Promotion Director oversees stations marketing
  and public relations efforts
  
• Chief Engineer responsible for maintaining the
  stations broadcasting facilities and equipment
  
• General Administration includes human
  resources, accounting, payroll, clerical staff,
  etc.
  

10
Television Today

• Commercial television stations may be
• Independently owned
• Group owned
• In 1996, the top 25 station groups owned 24.6
  percent of the nations 1,600 television
  stations. In 2006, nearly half of all television
  stations are members of a group.

11
Television Today

• FCC Ownership Rules
• There are no limits on how many stations a
  company or an individual can own, but the
  stations as a group may not reach more than 39
  percent of total U.S. households.
• An individual or a company may own two stations
  in the same market (called a duopoly), if the
  second outlet is financially troubled, a start-up
  station or is not among the markets top-four
  rated stations at the time of purchase.

12
Television Today

• One owner can control two TV stations with
  overlapping signals as long as the stations are
  based in difference designated market areas.
  
• A company with two TV stations may also own up to
  six radio stations in a market if the market has
  at least 20 separately owned broadcast, cable and
  newspaper voices.
• When there are 10 voices, the limit is two TV
  and four radio stations.
  
• One TV and one radio station are allowed
  regardless of the number of voices.

13
Television Today

• What are the advantages of belonging to a large
  group to the owner, the station and the viewer?
  
• What are the disadvantages of belonging to a
  large group to the owner, the station and the
  viewer?

14
Television Today Top Station Groups

• Fox 37 stations (38.3 percent of the U.S) all
  stations but one are either Fox or UPN affiliate,
  duopolies in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas,
  Washington, Minneapolis, and Orlando
• Viacom/CBS 39 Stations (37.9 percent of the
  U.S.) all CBS and UPN affiliates, duopoly in
  Los Angeles (KCBS and KCAL)

15
Television Today Top Station Groups

• NBC/Universal 42 stations (33.7 percent of the
  U.S.) all NBC or Telemundo affiliates
  
• Tribune 30 stations (29.9 percent of the U.S.)
  all WB affiliates
  
• ABC/Disney 10 stations (23.5 percent of the
  U.S.) all ABC affiliates
  
• Gannett 21 stations (17.7 percent of the U.S.)
  owns stations affiliated with CBS, NBC, ABC and
  WB
  
• Hearst/Argyle 35 stations (15.3 percent of the
  U.S)

16
Television Today -- Networks

• The FCC defines a network as a unit offering at
  least 15 hours of programming a week.
  
• Stations who wish to affiliate with a network
  sign contractual agreements to air programming.
  
• Networks provide stations with programming
  (typically 13.5 hours on a weekday), prestige,
  identity, an advertising and sales environment,
  and at times, compensation.

17
Television Today -- Networks

• Network affiliates have officially complained to
  the FCC regarding the following issues
  
• Networks unduly restrict affiliates ability to
  pre-empt network programming
  
• Networks use affiliation to interfere with
  station sales
  
• Networks news collaboration hurts affiliates
• Networks are repurposing programming on
  affiliates competitors (cable channels,
  websites)
  
• Networks promote their other outlets on
  affiliates
  
• Networks favor their own stations over affiliates

18
Television Today Independent Stations

• Independent stations air programming that is
  either locally produced or purchased through
  program syndicators or other distributors.