Culture and Television

-enormously profitable industry-important part of modern democracy-unique, creative form-mirror of our world-central part of our lives-crucial, rapidly changing

-wireless-point-to-point comm.-marketing tool-Radio Corporation of Ameria : RCA-Westinghouse: first radio on the air-broadcast radio-commrecial radio

-19th century radio was developed-point-to-point means of communication until 1920-1920 voice was able to transform sound-wireless telegraphy (original name)-like moors code-1920 RCA first major broadcastor-Westing house apart of radio and then separated

- private owenership-government regulated-networks formed-commercial sponsorship-private home reception-gadget to console

-hearth means fire-presents as a family gathering around traditional piece of furniture-radio turned into tradition piece of furniture-new hearth for modern age (replace fireplace)

-steady-1930-1950 from 46-95% of homes had a radio -programming conventionalized, news, variety shows, detective stories, commercials

- from radio brc. to tv brc. (broadcasting)-RCA to National Broadcasting Corp (tv console)NB-Columbia Broadcasting System-Dumont, built tv consoles-American Broadcasting Company-Film industry, concern and interest-1939 Tv's breakthrough year

-showcase for everything that was news and happening at RCA-showroom: high class living room, supported TV set

-fcc regulates agency for regulationg broadcasting-who to be in charge: radio or film-suggestions: pay-per-view, subscription (subscribe to tv or go to a theatre to watch tv)-radio industry wins

-from public to private space-market for household furnishing-rapid growth 90% by 1990-live television era-I Love Lucy: first superstar show

-huge changes after war-new domestic ideal-high marriage rate-baby boom-nuclear family-suburbanization-car culture-accelerated consumer culture

-discount stores-super markets-shopping malls-fast food restaurants-credit cards-television of advertising

-free yet overtly commercial-exchange of programming-exchange of advertising-exchange of audience

-production-distribution-transmissionalso, comparison with film industry and compare with consumer goods

- tend to associate shows with networks-shows rarely produced by networks-production of tv programming is not like the production of any other commodity-demanding, costly and risky-deficit managing, lose a lot of money if show doesn't work-tv shows and success is like a lottery