Television and Film: Key Concepts and Evolution

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering important terms and definitions related to the evolution of television and film.

Loss leader

An expensive show used to attract/keep subscribers, even if not profitable itself.

Peak TV

Era of record-breaking, high-quality TV production.

Trough TV

Predicted era of cheap, low-quality, profit-driven TV content.

Oligopoly

Market dominated by a few large firms, such as the Big Three networks.

Time-shifting

Watching TV at a different time than the original broadcast.

Streaming

Watching content over the internet, often on-demand.

Cathode Ray Tube

A vacuum tube used to display images in early TVs and monitors.

Analog vs. Digital

Analog uses continuous signals; digital uses binary code (1s and 0s).

Spectrum

The range of electromagnetic frequencies used for broadcasting.

Must-carry rules

FCC rule requiring cable to carry local stations.

Block Booking

Requiring theaters to rent less desirable films to access major releases.

Franchise

Contract to operate local cable service.

Access channels

Channels for education, government, and public use.

Multiplexing

Sending multiple digital channels over a single frequency.

Place-shifting

Watching stored media from different locations.

Binge watching

Watching multiple episodes/seasons in one sitting.

Consensus narratives

Widely shared stories or ideas that help unify a society.

Niche nation

Society fragmented into small, specialized interest groups.

Synergy

The increased profitability and promotional power that comes from collaboration among different divisions of a conglomerate.

Blockbuster

A high-budget, heavily marketed film aimed at mass audiences.

Auteur

A director recognized as the “author” of a film, with a distinctive personal style.

Video-on-demand (VOD)

Accessing content whenever you want.