Key Concepts in Television Production and Programming

Philo Farnsworth

One of the inventors of the television.

Time shifting

Recording television programming to view at a later time.

Ratings and shares

Metrics used to measure the viewership of TV programs.

Charles Van Doren

Involved in the quiz show scandal, indicating TV shows could be rigged.

Infotainment

Television programs that combine information and entertainment.

Prime time

The time period when television viewership is at its highest.

Affiliate station

A local TV station that aligns itself with a network.

"Below the line" costs

Expenses in TV production excluding major creative elements.

"Stripped"

Airing multiple episodes of a TV show back-to-back on the same day.

Episodic series

TV shows with standalone episodes that can be viewed independently.

"Above the line" costs

Major creative expenses in TV production including actors and writers.

Deficit financing

Funding TV production through loans or pre-sales before revenue is generated.

Chapter shows

Episodic TV shows with a self-contained story in each episode.

"Evergreens"

TV shows that remain popular and are continually broadcasted.

Off-network syndication

Rerunning TV shows on stations not affiliated with the original network.

Serial shows

TV shows with a continuous storyline that unfolds over multiple episodes.

Early and late fringe

Time slots before and after prime time with lower viewership.

First-run syndication

Original TV shows produced specifically for syndication.

What scandal provided the first dramatic indication that TV shows could be rigged?

Charles Van Doren's involvement in the quiz show scandal.

What's the standard formula for TV news programs?

Inform, educate, and entertain.

What are some popular TV genres? What's considered the 'golden age' of television?

Popular genres include drama, comedy, and reality. The 'golden age' is the 1950s.

Explain how episodic shows can be either chapter shows or serials. What's the difference?

Episodic shows have standalone episodes. Chapter shows have self-contained stories in each episode, while serials have a continuous storyline.

What does it mean that syndicated or re-run shows are "stripped"?

Airing multiple episodes of a show back-to-back on the same day.

Some shows are hybrids of the episodic and chapter show. What are some examples?

Shows like 'Grey's Anatomy' or 'House' blend episodic and chapter elements.

Why did the "network era" end around the late 1970s? (Two main reasons)

Competition from cable TV and declining viewership due to more options.

Explain how "deficit financing" is used in television production.

Funding TV production through loans or pre-sales before revenue is generated.

What's the difference between off-network and first-run syndication?

Off-network reruns on different stations, while first-run syndication creates original shows for syndication.

What are two main reasons that reality shows are so popular?

They are relatively inexpensive to produce and offer unscripted drama.

Why are syndicated American shows so popular worldwide?

They often have universal themes and appeal to a broad audience.

What does it mean if you have "para-social" relationships with TV characters?

Feeling a personal connection or attachment to characters on TV.