Brittney Marie

'Nip/Tuck,' which changed cable TV, goes out on an understated note

Posted by Brittney Marie Cadott |

News/Scholarly Article 2

When the TV Series, "Nip/Tuck", aired back during the summer of 2003, America had no idea what they were in for. "Nip/Tuck" pushed that fine line. Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon starred in the hit TV series on FX. This "alternatively emotional, outlandish, sexual, graphic, tongue-in-cheek and gothic, the story of two handsome Miami plastic surgeons," (LA Times, 1) , was an instant hit. With the show moto that beauty is a curse to the world, it's demographic did not just include baby boomers, but younger viewers as well. It has maintain that demographic for five straight seasons. After the fourth season, "Nip/Tuck" has 3.9 million viewers.
All great things have to come to an end especially with TV programs. After seven seasons, 100 episodes, "Nip/Tuck" signed off the air. "It's the end of the first generation of cable originals that really made in-roads in television programming," said Brad Adgate, director of research for Horizon Media. "There are very few shows that have helped identify a network and that strike a chord on a lot of different fronts. 'Nip/Tuck' really hit the zeitgeist because it was so topical. It has a very secure place as one of the most impactful shows of the past decade of television."(LA Times, 1) "Nip/Tuck" paved the way even deep for more "edgy" shows to come through in the future. Being a big human interest, TV programs are going to become far more "edgy" than "Nip/Tuck" became.
In relation to my group's webisode, "Portable Media", one might think well "Nip/Tuck" has nothing to do with that. But, that is where people go wrong. What about the content we see on the portable media devices? Since the way was paved deeper by" Nip/Tuck" these portable media devices will have access to these "edgy" shows. The content for any type of media will be "edgy". That line keeps getting pushed, eventually it won't even exist. Even if this is a good thing or a bad thing, thats what we as a society have interest in. That is what gets us hooked on these programs. And, this is what the media gives back. Exactly, what we have asked for.

According to the Ferguson and Eastman's textbook on Media Programming, its talks about the Super Bowl incident. "Yet, on this one night, just for the Super Bowl, almost half the country's population came face-to-face with what mainstream television had become. They didn't like it". (page 124) If we didn't like it so much, they why did we asked for programs like "Nip/Tuck"? We have to be careful what we wish for, huh? It is what it is.

Snooki from MTV's hit show Jersey Shore gets punched.

We have since then come a long way in Broadcast Programming, and the "Jersey Shore" started to pump their fists. Again, another "edgy" program. At first it was bashed, then America fell in love with the cast. Much controversy was over the "Snooki Punch", and the full scene is not available anymore. America wanted more. Now, "Jersey Shore" will be pumping their fists for America once again this summer. Now, this brings it back to the question? America has come face-to-face of what mainstream TV has become, but they didn't like it. Then why keep asking the media for it? America loves it, there is no doubt about it.

Los Angeles Times Article

Jersey Shore Article

Nip/Tuck Photo

Media Programming Photo

Snooki gets punched

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Digital Television in Developing Countries? Reflections from the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association’s Asia-Pacific Conference in Tonga

Posted by Brittney Marie Cadott |

Scholarly Article 1

Back in February 2009, the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association held its Asia-Pacific Regional Conference. The CBA organized their conference on the main island of Tonga called Tongatapu.

Conference Center in Tongataptu, Tonga.

The conference delegates were drawn from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Brunei, and Taiwan, as well as the Pacific Island nations of Fiji, Papua-New Guinea, the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu and Kiribati (Starks, 1). The agenda for this conference involved Digital Television along with regulatory and technical planning. Australia and New Zealand had the most experience with launching Digital Television. Their strategy faced challenges on the way, and eventually will lead to an Analog shut off. The purpose of this conference was to consider the relevance of Digital Television in the smaller, less developed countries. At the start, they voiced that these smaller, less developed countries should wait a decade or two. However, Fujian government stated that they already put this transition into the works along with South Africa.

Arguments against such as development priorities had been brought up. On the other hand, since the larger countries will be fulling switch to digital, analog equipment will be extinct. If leapfrogging, by the spread of mobile phone with limited landline networks, is being use now in these countries, you can enhance the television with an all-digital design. Unemployment rates would go down, even if the switch off is a decade away, there is areas for work in the preparation, such as spectrum planning.

Indeed, on this last point, Rick Ellis, Chief Executive of TVNZ, having described New Zealand’s own plans for digital switchover, stated:

Whilst the transition to digital in the Pacific Islands is likely to be some years out, I believe it would be strategically beneficial for the Pacific Forum of Leaders to consider establishing a working group to agree a common pan-Pacific approach to digital transition and standards, so that the Pacific can reap the benefits of standardization and economies of scale. Some sort of harmonization with Australia and New Zealand would also make sense, so that technical support, equipment supply etc. can continue to be provided in the same way that TVNZ has supported the analogue services in the Pacific over the past several years. (Starks, 1)

The Apple iPad official commercial 2010-launched during the Oscars

According to an article written for New Zealand PCWorld Magazine, Australia has a set launch date for when they get the Apple iPad. Late April, is now the new delivery date, a full month later than expected. New Zealand does not have a confirmed delivery date yet.

Being that both Australia and New Zealand are a part of the CBA, these other countries are capable to get on the same level with technology. Yes, it might take them a little longer than the rest of us, but they will get there.

This in relation to my group's webisode, shows that portable media is spreading quickly all over the world, as well as into less developed countries. Even though the conference was only a year ago, look how far Australia and New Zealand had come. They have the technology to support the Apple iPad in which they will have in their hands this year.

From the Ferguson and Eastman's Media Programming textbook, It states that expanded international distribution has become the primary means of growth for cable and satellite programmers. Hundreds of millions in such countries as China and India are potential subscribers in which creates a more powerful lure for the United States cable program suppliers. Increasing access to these potentials in once-inaccessible countries helps fuel the first run of these new types of niche services. This in relation with the hopes to amateurs who dream a world market of substantial size to go with their programming. (Chapter 9, page 331)

Commonwealth Broadcasting Association LOGO

Digital Television in Developing Countries? Reflections from the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association’s Asia-Pacific Conference in Tonga *Scholarly Article from the International Journal of Digital Television written by Michael Starks ,2010.

iPad Commercial 2010

New Zealand PCWorld Magazine Article

New Zealand PCWorld Logo

CBA Conference Photos

Media Programming book photo

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NBC uses Low-Cost Leno Strategy for 2009-2010

Posted by Brittney Marie Cadott |

New Media 2

According to an article, written for The Washington Post, NBC has taken on a new strategy for their programming this year. Its considered to be the "Low-Cost Leno" strategy. Instead of airing the show at its original time slot, NBC has decided to air the show five nights a week. Stated in this article, Leno bragged about his show costing a lot less than a single episode for shows like, "Law and Order: SUV", and "ER". Leno now will be hosting news shows, five days a week, for 46 weeks. With this strategy, Leno's show is providing NBC with more shows than their original programs.

The predicted downfall with the strategy, is that Leno's audience is much smaller than the original program's audience, can hurt stations owned by NBC.

As stated in this article, Michael Jack, WRC's president and general manager, says he's "cautiously optimistic" about Leno's prospects. Leno, he points out, will offer a clear alternative to other network shows at 10 p.m.; while the other guys are showing reality shows or crime-procedural dramas (or reruns of them), Leno will be doing fresh, topical comedy. Further, says Jack, Leno appeals to an audience that tends to watch the late news, providing a natural bridge between network and local programs.

NBC is trying to accommodate the affiliates by structuring Leno's Show in an affiliate-friendly way. NBC will air the usual commercial break and stream right into the news in hopes to keep the viewers watching. Among all affiliates of NBC, their channel's local nightly news is very important to their viewers.

Already showing spots of weakness in their low-cost strategy, NBC had a hard time with advertisers. NBC ending up getting advertisers on the lower side for costs. Mostly, as low as commercials aired during Dateline NBC or other similar shows.

For Group 5, we will be covering a section on programming strategies. This article is a great example of a kind of strategy that is used by a popular network we all know and watch. We also get an inside look at how effective this strategy really is. Where are the ups and the downs, and how is it effecting NBC. We see that this is not working out for NBC. According to the Nielsen Ratings, NBC has dropped tremendously.

Now NBC needs to do damage control and rebuild their prime-time. As stated in another article, written for The Wall Street Journal, NBC has mopped up its late-night mess. The network now faces a more challenging task: rebuilding its evening hours after years of cost cuts and creative missteps.

Also stated in the article, NBC's Chief Executive Tucker claims that the prime-time has been unsuccessful for the past five years, it has been a problem for NBC, and very disappointing as well. Tucker also quoted, "We shouldn't say anything other than all we're looking for is better programming."

This example, in relation to the Leno Strategy article, shows us how NBC is trying to bounce back from a bad decision in their programming strategies.

Take a look at what happened to Conan O'Brien in all of this. In this video he took a stab against NBC and Jay Leno. Conan O'Brien is not very happy with this strategy.

According to Ferguson and Eastman's Media Programming, it states that ongoing production costs make it a perfect format for the low-budget realms of both daytime and late-night television. (page 184) This would explain why NBC went down the road they did to try re-constructing their schedule with The Jay Leno Show. NBC's goal is to reach more young adults by grabbing their attention with unique programming. (page 185)

For more information...

Expect a lot of Collateral Damage if Leno Bombs

NBC Gears up to Fix Primetime

Photo One- Jay Leno

Photo Two- Jay Leno

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Yahoo! Connected TV to save the Television?

Posted by Brittney Marie Cadott |

New Media 1

According to an article, written for BusinessWeek, Yahoo and Samsung have produced Yahoo's Connected TV platform. This platform is available now on selected Samsung TV models. Later, Vizio, Sony, and LG are expected to become apart of this as well.

The overall strategy of the TV platform is primarily based on a design from Apple. Arlo Rose, a former interactive Apple designer, came up with the interactive design of the TV platform. Back in 2005, Rose's former boss, Steve Jobs, sold his company called "Pixoria" to Yahoo. Pixoria is a widget engine. Rose stemmed the idea for the TV platform from Pixoria.

The widgets appear as shown below on the TV screen.

By using a TV remote, Yahoo! Connected TV displays access to widgets, in which can be clicked on. When opening the Twitter Widget, for example, the viewer's Twitter feed displays on the screen. The viewer also has a choice to turn the Internet on or off, while they are watching the TV.

Users as well as Yahoo and Samsung will determine if a widget is successful or unsuccessful. If a widget is unsuccessful it will obviously become unavailable.

Yahoo! Connected TV plays an important role in the future of Television. Having the Internet "save" Television is a big turning point. Not only is it a win, win situation from both parties but it enhances TV and it keeps the viewers watching the TV. Plus, the audience will love how it is all in one place. They don't need to switch from the computer to TV and TV to computer. For the viewer, it makes everything at a push of a button on their remote. Who wouldn't love that? Our society is always looking for easier way to do things.

Yahoo! Connected TV

Yahoo! Connected TV Overview Video on YouTube
Yahoo! Connected TV Demo

Demo Video from Yahoo! Connected TV

According to Ferguson and Eastman's Media Programming, it states that just like with a television set, anyone with a computer and a connection to the web can receive streamed pictures and sound, and the faster the connection, the better those pictures are. (page 317) Yahoo! Connected TV gives the viewer just that. Eventually, everyone will have Yahoo! Connected TV or a similar program on their TV sets. The "smart" home that was imagined a while back is finally beginning to show up all over.