| Content of Television |
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| The content of television is ever-varying and changing. In the United States, television broadcasts began to become common in the late 1940s, and by the 1950s televisions became popular technology in many homes (especially those located near major cities). A signifcant amount of different types of content can be found within the broadcasting of television programming. |
| TV Commercials / Advertising |
| Television commercials were introduced with the birth of the televison program transmission. The first commercial (created by the Bulova Watch Company) was aired in 1941 They are defined as a form of advertising in which goods, services, organizations, and ideas are are promoted via the medium of television. Television spots range from just a few seconds to in some cases more than a minute. The time used to promote (the duration of the commercial) is sold to the businesses who wish to promote their products on the air. The commercials use different techniques from shock value, action aspects, musical enhancments, soud effects, and also emotionally connects with the consumer using video and pictorial elements. Todays televison spots can cost upwards of $1,000,000, taking into consideration the time period that they are aired and thr length of the spot. |
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| storyboard from a 2001 Pepsi commercial, Runtime :25 |
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| screenshots from assorted television commercials to show how the types of on-air promotion spots differ |
| Programming |
| There are many different types of programming, however regardless of their topic mattert they are divided into two specific categories: First Run Programming and Syndication. First Run Programming examples are tv series, original sports broadcasts, live television events, made-for-tv movies. In order to be considered part of this category, it must be a produced piece running for the first time on any network or television channel. Alot of the times (tv series), the production of the first run program is completely produced in the studio of whatever network is airing it. This allows for complete creative control to be in the hands of the network employees who will essentially be promoting the new season of programming on their respective network. Syndication is the action of a first run program being re-run in the company of its original run, OR when that product is sold to other countries and run their via other specific television liscensing. Sydication is commonly used to fill segments with prgramming that is no longer of primetime significance to the networks. We see this in long running television shows (Friends, Seinfeld, etc) athat were originally broadcast on their home network (NBC, FOX respectively) and have now been sold to be run in syndication on alternate channels (WB11, TBS). |
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| "Seinfeld" - FOX |
| "Friends" - NBC |
| Television Rating System |
| A TV Ratings System was devised in late 1998 to assist parents when they chose which programming their children would be exposed to. It does not control the technology of television, yet is a tool that guardians can use. The governement felt that the television programs should come with warnings when containing explicit language, adult situations, and violence so parents may do a better job with understanding what their kids were viewing. All televisions after 2000 come with the V-chip installed, the computer chip that allows parents to set blockings on all shows above a chosen rating. The system was based on the already commonplace Movie Ratings System and went as follows: |
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| Suitable for ages 2-6 with no frightening intent themes geared towards children |
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| Suitable for up to age 7 Some fantasy/comedic violence May contain themes frightening to those under 7 **Viewer should have skills developed enough to differentiate between reality and make-believe |
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| ONLY Suitable for ages 7+ Significant fantasy/comedic violence Significant themes frightening to those under 7 **Viewer should have skills developed enough to differentiate between reality and make-believe |
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| Suitable to all ages Little or no violence, sexual situations, or adult language all audiences can understand themes |
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| Parental Guidence suggested for younger children Some violence (V) Some sexual situation (S) Infrequent course language (L) all audiences can understand themes |
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| Suitable to ages 14+ Intense violence (V) Intense sexual situations (S) Frequent course language (L) geared towards older audiences |
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| Suitable to ages 17+ Graphic violence (V) Explicit sexual situations (S) Crude, indecent language (L) geared towards mature older audiences |
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