TV Scheduling

TV Scheduling is the times at which different programs are shown on TV. The decisions made by the channels are significant because the ratings of the show can depend on the time it is shown to the audience. Since television has started, the routine of the programmes has seemed to fit into a daily routine where the news will always be in the morning, at dinner time and at 10 o'clock. These times are prime for the audience of the news, and as it feeds out essential information it must be scheduled at a time where the dominant audience will be watching.

Scheduling is split into 3 main concepts: Hammocking, Inheritance and Pre Echo. Pre echo is the technique of scheduling a less popular or a brand new show just before a popular show which would attract the audience who may have tuned in early. Additionally to this, Hammocking is when a less popular show is put into two popular shows so that the less popular show would automatically be watched by those waiting for the next show, which then gains this show more ratings. Then similarly to this, Inheritance is the concept of putting a less popular or new telvision show after the popular one in the hope that the audience won't turn off.

There are many different techniques to scheduling and I have stated and explained some of them below:

Stripping is the technique of broadcasting the same programme each week, on the same day. This allows the audience to become familiar with the scheduling time and then they get into the routine watching the programme. This is used for both soap operas and news programmes which are reoccurring shows. However when a new series is on, the scheduled time becomes precious to the audience because they know they have to be watching at that specific time.

Zoning is where similar genres of program are scheduled one after each other. The assumption is made that the audience of the genre will stay watching as they're preferred program or genre will continue. This is done on ITV2 with the likes of Family Guy, American Dad and South park.

Offensive scheduling is when a channel has the confidence of beating a rival programme with its ratings so it will be scheduled at the time as another show. This can be risky and can also upset viewers as they may be an audience for both shows and will have to miss one to see the other. Contrasting to this, Defensive scheduling is when a channel is aware of the high ratings a program will gain so they choose to schedule their show at a time where the minority appeal to the show,

The 'Watershed' is the period of television shown after 9pm. This includes explicit language, sexual references or scenes, violence and drugs. It is at this time to prevent young children from seeing it, additionally this is the time where adults are able to wind down and watch programmes that are relative to their age.