blog assignment 5

• What were the major technical standards established for television in the 1940's? What happened to analog television?

In the 1940's, the Federal Communications Commission adopted an analog standard based on radio waves for all of the TVs in the United States. Other countries adopted this system as well. These countries included Japan, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Latin American nations. Analog television became replaced by digital signals. Digital signals translate TV images and sounds into binary codes and allow for increased channel capacity and improved image quality and sound.

• How did the sponsorship of network programs change during the 1950s?

In the 1930's and 1940's TV programs were supported by a sponsor. Having a sponsor meant that the advertiser could easily influence the programs content. This all changed in the 1950's. People wanted to take back control. Broadcast networks became extremely unhappy with the arrangement of the sponsors. Because of the growing popularity and growing cost, this allowed for an opportunity to alter this financial setup. For example, a one hour TV show cost a sponsor 35,000. This rose to 90,000 dollars by the end of the decade. Eventually, the head of NBC/RCA and head of CBS diminished the sponsors role. They rose the costs for advertisers which discouraged sponsoring programs. 

• How have computers and mobile devices challenges the TV and cable industries?

Technologies such as smartphones, iPod, iPad, and mobile TV devices are called fourth screen technologies. These new technologies are creating changes in the amount people view television. There are proven statistics that show how much more people watch things through their mobile devices. Some industries are capitalizing on this. For example, Cable vision, Time Warner, and DISH, released iPad apps. This allows them to continue to make money even though it may not be over cable. On the other hand, some other cable programmers aren't fighting to stay in touch with modern technology. They argue that their contracts don't cover third or fourth screens. 

• What rules and regulations did the government impose to restrict the networks' power?

Some rules and regulations were imposed to restrict the networks' power. The first was the Prime Time Access Rule. this reduced the networks control of prime-time programming from four hours to three hours. Then FCC created the financial interest and syndication rules (fin-syn) This was the most damaging attack against the Network TV monopoly in FCC history. A third policy action was constituted in 1975. the Justice department was limiting the networks' production of non-news shows, requiring them to seek most of their programming from independent production companies and film studios. Networks were limited to producing eight hours per week of in-house entertainment for non-news programs outside prime time.(page218) 

• How did the Telecommunications Act of 1996 change the economic shape and future of the television and cable industries?

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 brought cable fully under the federal rules that had long governed the telephone, radio, and TV industries. This act knocked down barriers, which allowed companies to enter each others markets. For example, this act allows cable companies to offer telephone services, and also allows phone companies to offer Internet services. This was done in hopes of competition and lower rates.

• Why has television's rols as a national cultural center changed over the years? What are the programmers doing to retain some of their influence?

The development of cable, VCRs and DVRs, the internet, and smartphone services has fragmented televisions audience by appealing to viewers individual and special needs. These changes and services alter televisions former role as a national unifying cultural force. Many cable channels survive mostly by recycling old television shows and movies. Television, despite the audience fragmentation, still provides a gathering place for friends and family at the same time that it provides access anywhere to a favorite show. (Page 232/233)