Study Session:   Monday 11/18,  7:00 p.m. at Dr. Mc's.  Maps are on her door.  We should be finished by 9 p.m.  Bring a soft drink.  Chocolate Chip cookies provided.  

This exam will be on MONDAY, November 19th.  It will cover the following topic areas:

• Economics of electronic media
• Advertising
• Audience Research
• Programming
• Impact and basic theory of mass media effects

Essays on the test will be selected from the following:

1.   Discuss the recent enmity between the big four broadcasting networks and their affiliates.  What has been the cause of the conflict?  Carefully explain what positions have been taken by each side and why.  What have been the results and what does this mean for the future of television stations and broadcast networks?

2.   Explain what happened when CBS lost it's NFL contract to FOX in 1994.  Why was that such a big deal for both networks and affiliates.

3.   Discuss how group ownership has changed for radio and television stations.  What has brought about the change.  What are the results of it?  Why is that significant for consumers and for broadcasters? 

4.   What are the advantages of television advertising?  Be specific and provide examples.

5.   Why are some advertisers re-thinking their investment in broadcast commercials?  How are new technologies changing the traditional economic model of television?

6.   Explain why the "graying of the networks" is significant?  How have concerns related to it impacted programming over the past few seasons?

7.   What is deficit financing?  How does it affect whether or not a show remains on the air and for how long? Be specific and provide examples.

8.  Discuss how the events of Sept. 11 affected television programming strategies.  What issues did programmers have to consider and how did they address them?  Why did they make the programming choices they made?

9.  What does it take for a television series to be successful?  What elements are key to that process? Select a successful program and illustrate those points with examples from that series.

10.  Discuss the portable people meter.  What are its components? What are the advantages it offers over previous technologies?  How far along is its development at this time?

11.  Explain why social scientific research is inadequate to prove a media entity is responsible for a negative effect a program might have, even if there is specific harms associated with the production, such as the movie, Natural Born Killers.  

12.  What is a para-social relationship?  To what mass com theory is it associated and show how the theory explains the phenomenon. 

13.  How have original programs for cable changed television programming?

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING ESSAYS on Dr. Mc Tests:

• Use INK (pencil is hard to read)
• Write legibly -- if I can't read it, I can't give you credit for it.
• Organize your thoughts -- beginning; middle (with clearly defined main points); and summarizing end.
• Pace yourself.  Don't spend more than 20 minutes on the objective portion of the test. Allow at least 30 minutes to write your essays.
• Memorize the essay's outline before you come in.
• ALWAYS attempt the BEAR essay!  It can't hurt and it can really help. 

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GOOD LUCK! See you at the study session!