SOUND AND IMAGES
6
Television and Cable The Power of Visual Culture
The Origins and Development of Television
The Development of Cable
Technology and Convergence Change Viewing Habits
Major Programming Trends
Regulatory Challenges to Television and Cable
The Economics and Ownership of Television and Cable
Television, Cable, and Democracy
Television may be our final link to true “mass” communication—
Things are different today, as television has entered the fourth stage in the life cycle of a mass medium—
The first major crack in the networks’ mass audience dominance came when cable TV developed in the 1970s. At first, cable channels like HBO and TNT survived by redistributing old movies and network TV programs. But when HBO (and its parent company, Time Warner, a major owner of cable companies) began producing popular award-
What cable really did was introduce a better business model—
In recent years, retransmission fees have caused some friction between broadcasters and cable companies. For example, in 2013, when fee negotiations between CBS and Time Warner broke down, the station was dropped from Time Warner’s lineup in some markets for almost a month. In the same year, the evolving relationship between broadcasters and cable TV took a dramatic turn when General Electric, which started and owned NBC (and Universal Studios), sold majority control of its flagship network (and the film company) to Comcast, the nation’s largest cable provider. Comcast now produces or owns a significant amount of programming for use on its broadcast and cable channels, and exercises better control over retransmission fees.
While the major tensions between cable and broadcasters appear to have quieted down, a new battle is brewing as the Internet and smaller screens are quickly becoming the future of television. On the surface, a mutually beneficial relationship has developed among streaming online services and broadcasters and cable providers—
As the newest battle shakes up the television landscape, one thing remains unchanged: high-
BROADCAST NETWORKS TODAY may resent cable networks developing original programming, but in the beginning, network television actually stole most of its programming and business ideas from radio. Old radio scripts began reappearing in TV form, snatching radio’s sponsors, its program ideas, and even its prime-
In this chapter, we examine television and cable’s cultural, social, and economic impact. We will:
As you read through this chapter, think about your own experiences with television programs and the impact they have on you. What was your favorite show as a child? Were there shows you weren’t allowed to watch when you were young? If so, why? What attracts you to your favorite programs now? For more questions to help you think through the role of television and cable in our lives, see “Questioning the Media” in the Chapter Review.