FCC Regulations and Changes

What is the FCC

regulates interstate and

international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all

50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. An independent U.S.

government agency overseen by Congress, the commission is the United States'

primary authority for communications law, regulation and technological

innovation.

”

“The FCC is directed by five commissioners appointed by the president of the

United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for five-year terms, except when

filling an unexpired term. The president designates one of the commissioners to

serve as chairman. Only three commissioners may be members of the same

political party, and none can have a financial interest in any commission-related

business.

”

Regulations and Changes

By the late 60s, networks owned or had profit participation in 91% of shows

FCC’s power is cyclical

activist head of FCC

In the 1966-1973, Nicholas Johnson was an activist head of FCC / hated by industry

Fin/Syn Rule – Financial Interest and Syndication (1971)

1. Limited # of shows a network could own/ produce in-house to 15 hours/week

2. They had to stop ownership of production companies

3. Networks could only buy programming for 1-2 runs

when did Fin/Syn take off

took until the eighties

what networks did FTC sue

in 1972 charging monopolization of program supply

Consent decree in 1977 (NBC) 1979 (ABC, CBS)

The Rise of Independent Producers in Television in 70s

Norman Lear, All in the family, Maude’ The Jeffersons, etc.

The Rise of Independent Producers in Television in 80s

Michael Mann, Miami Vice, Crime Story, Stephen Bocho, Hill St. Blues, LA Law

names behind Miami Vice (1984 -1989)

Michael Mann and Anthony Yerkovic: Executive Producers, later Dick

Wolf

Miami Vice Themes

Drugs, Money laundering, Prostituion, Gambling

One of the first TV shows in Stereo

Miami Vice

Fashion symbolized in Miami Vice

created many popular looks of the 1980s, esp. for stars Don Johnson and

Philip Michael Thomas

Music symbolized in Miami Vice

Huge use of popular music, created hits like Phil Collins, “In The Air”,Glenn Frey’s “Smugglers Blues” and “You Belong to the City”, and the theme by Jan Hammer. Most successful TV Soundtrack of all time.

Cars symbolized in Miami Vice

Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Corvettes

Color scheme symbolized in Miami Vice

Pastel and Neon