The Importance of Broadcasting in American History

July 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Broadcasting has played an important role in American history, helping to shape out entertainment experiences and knowledge of the world around us. From the radio to the Internet, it has been a vital part of shaping our society.

Broadcasting first played a truly important role during the era of World War II. People could now listen in their homes to news of battles along the front, hear politicians give speeches live and to listen to a variety of shows. It was a critical part of helping to keep the country’s morale high during hard times and keeping them informed. Radio at this time also began to broadcast play-by-play announcing of popular sporting events, such as baseball and football. Music was also a popular thing to listen to.

When television came onto the scene, broadcasting took on a whole new appearance. Now Americans are to black and white, then color broadcasts of news, sports and popular shows. Children’s programming became a new genre for the major broadcasting companies to take advantage of with shows such as Howdy Doody and The Lone Ranger.

Vietnam was one of the first conflicts to be broadcasted in detail on the news in color, bringing the horrors of war into American homes. In the present day broadcasting has fully embraced the world and technology of the Internet, with blogs, websites and more for people to explore. Broadcasting will continue to make its mark on American history as events and technology continue to change.

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Types of Broadcast Media

February 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Types of Broadcast Media

The term broadcast media is really a broad range term that is used to describe a number of media outlets. The broad definition of broadcast media in any media that is able to be broadcasted over airwaves, sound waves or through the Internet. It generally has to do with moving objects or sound clips. Here’s a look at the various types of broadcast media that are available to consumers all over the world.

Radio. Radio is the oldest and most basic form of broadcast media. It has been in existence for over 100 years and has allowed people to broadcast the news from coast-to-coast and internationally. Today, radio has diminished in the amount of users but is still a very vital form of broadcast media.

TV. TV is the most common form of broadcast media. TV allows users to get the news in a quicker format as well as the visually the new stories and localized events that are being portrayed through this media outlet. TV news and journalism has quickly started to take over for radio.

Internet Journalism. The Internet has quickly started to evolve as a form of broadcast media. TV and radio stations have started to adapt to the Internet and are starting to use it as a way to get to a wide range of viewers. It is believed that the Internet has actually replaced print newspapers and magazines. The Internet combines the best of radio and TV in broadcast journalism and allows people to get a customized view of the world news, national news and local news. Many experts debate whether Internet journalism and media should actually be considered a former broadcast journalism or if it should be considered a separate form of journalism.

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History of Broadcast News and Media Outlets

February 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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History of Broadcast News and Media Outlets

One of the most interesting aspects of broadcast media is the diverse history that it has. No other form of communications and media outlet has as diverse background as broadcast news. Here’s a brief overview of the history of broadcast news.

Broadcast news and journalism started out in the earliest forms with the radio. Radio was a great way to get people the world news as it was happening. While many people assume that radio was originally designed for the local media outlet the first original broadcast news was focused on the radio covered world events or nationwide stories. Very rarely did the radio cover any type of local event. It wasn’t for a number of years to localized radio stations start to pop up all over the nation which allowed radio stations to broadcast local events and stories.

While the radio lasted for a number of decades it was quickly replaced with that of national TV news. Once the invention of television came out many people were to be able to view nationwide TV news broadcasts. Just like with the radio and the television started out with national news and stories and then move to a brief East Coast or West Coast news channel and eventually transform the local TV news that people are used to today.

Broadcast journalism and news media outlets have really expanded over the years. Today, people have dozens of ways to receive their news through broadcast media outlets. People are not only restricted to hearing about the national news but they have an option to get is internationally, nationally and local. People also have the option of choosing which form a broadcast media outlet they use. Broadcast media outlets are still available through radio, television and now to the invention of the latest form of broadcast media the Internet.

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The Debate of Print Media Vs Broadcast Media

February 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Debate of Print Media Vs Broadcast Media

There is a long-standing debate in the media and communications world. Many people wonder whether the print media is better than broadcast media or if broadcast media is better than print media. Here’s a look at some of the information that will allow you to shed light on whether one is better than the other.

Range of Audience. Over the past couple of years the audience for print media has diminished in favor of broadcast media. In a recent survey over 70% of the adults were surveyed admitted to getting their news from the television or the Internet instead of a newspaper.

The Mission Of the Media Form. It is the goal and mission of broadcast news to provide quick updates and results regarding stories that were previously published. It is the goal of print news stories to explain in detail the stories and also explain the updates that might happened.

Accuracy of Facts. When it comes to broadcast media the facts are sometimes not researched as well as a newspaper reporter story might be. This is because the broadcast media’s main goal is to get the story to the audience directly and not spend as much time researching and backing up the facts. Newspapers reporters will spend hours researching the story and making sure that the fax presented are 100% accurate and that all the information provided in a story is true.

Focus of the Media. Broadcast media will often spend time focusing on national events as well as news plus stories. Newspapers will tend to focus more upon the local events and other worldwide events that might be of significance.

Is hard to assess which form the media is better. Each form of media has its own benefits and drawbacks. To decide which form of media is better you must decide what your needs are and what the story you want to trade a public.

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Advertising Everything from Coke to 21st Century Insurance on Broadcast Airwaves

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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It didn’t take long for people to appreciate the value of broadcasting communications. Listeners could hear the latest news much faster than anywhere else at the time. This value, of course, wasn’t lost on businesses looking for new ways to reach out to more customers. In 1920, the very first commercial broadcast was aired, opening the door to a whole new revolution of advertising.

However, it wasn’t only businesses looking to turn a profit. The stations themselves were searching for new ways to fund their operations, which were starting to run longer, leading to the 24 hour broadcasting heard today. It’s debatable when the first paid radio commercial was aired. Some say it was on WEAF in New York in 1922, while others believe smaller stations and businesses were doing it before then. What isn’t debatable is the reaction that followed. Around this time, programs started mentioning sponsors that would underwrite each show.

As broadcast radio began to enter the Golden Age, so did the radio advertisements. Commercial broadcasts started to try and stimulate more senses than just hearing. Well-known actors began to make appearances while radio ads featured sound effects for greater impact. Radio commercials also started implementing catchy jingles, gaining even greater reach into the conscious of consumers.

Today, it is still very much the same. You can hear a radio spot for Coke during a commercial break or hear that 21st Century Insurance is a sponsor for your favorite show. This is because broadcast radio is still a boon for advertisers. Even though many other media outlets have started attracting consumers online, a whopping 95 percent of people in the U.S. continue to listen to the radio. In addition, over 90 percent of listeners stay tuned even during commercial breaks, unlike television viewers or Internet browsers. So when you next listen to the radio, think about how much hasn’t changed.

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What is the FCC?

October 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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The FCC is also known as the Federal Communications commission. This is a governmental agency that is in charge of regulating all communications within or that originates within the U.S. Their jurisdiction will extend to television, radio, cable, satellite, and telegraph communications- the whole kit and caboodle. Historically the FCC acted also as a regulatory agency for broadcast content. Before the 1980’s when the Regan Administration began to strip the agency of some of its powers, they required stations to present diverse programming including news and educational shows- a specified amount of hours each day

There present purpose is not as broad as before. The FCC is vested with the power to of licensing in regards to broadcast stations. When it is time for the broadcasting station to renew their licensing they must go before the FCC. Although they still have some control over content and to levy fines if violated, when it comes the broadcasting arena, the FCC concentrates mainly on the renewal and denial of licenses.

When it comes to its power over radio stations, the FCC tends to exercise a bit more control over the content of radio stations. Whenever radio content is implicated in a FCC case, it will mot often involve the first amendment because the FCC usually uses the first amendment as a basis for bringing the fine. There are three levels of radio licensing that a station can receive from the FCC, and each one requires that the operator undergo a licensing test. There are those who predict that digital or satellite radio will greatly undercut the current power that the FCC has in world of radio licensing. Until that time though stations are aware that the FCC has the power to levy fines and other legal remedies for improper content.

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Broadcast Communication Careers

September 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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There are a number of careers available for individuals that want to get involved in broadcast communication. Two of the mostly highly sought involve careers in news reporting and as a TV/video camera operator or editor. No matter which area you are interested in a career in broadcast communications can be very challenging and rewarding.

News Reporting

A career in news reporting can include working as a news analyst, or a reporter, or even a correspondent. You must be well skilled in gathering information and then disseminating it for viewers. Individuals must have a degree in either journalism or communications. There are numerous options within this field including local or nationwide broadcasters; also sports and weather reporting are two very popular segments. In order to be successful you must be tolerant of long and abnormal hours as well as to the pressure of working under deadlines.

TV /Video Camera Operators and Editors

If being in front of a camera isn’t what you are looking for, then maybe try out a behind the scenes career as a TV/Video camera operator or editor. A camera operator is in charge of operating the cameras, being aware of which types of cameras need to be used in certain situations, and the proper angle and lighting for taking shots. Editors are in charge of editing footage or sounds in order to make it ready for broadcast or distribution.

Individuals that wish to enter these fields don’t necessarily need to obtain a particular type of education, albeit there are many institutions that offer degrees in both fields. You will need however the ability to think quickly on your feet, be very creative, and have the ability to learn quickly in a hands on situation. Technical prowess is also an essential skill. These positions are highly competitive and heavily pursued.

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Getting a Degree in Broadcast Communications

September 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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There are a number of schools that offer a degree in broadcast communications. Individuals seeking a career within the many opportunities offered in television and video production should look into pursuing a degree within broadcast communication to provide them with an increased opportunity to succeed. You should take the time to research any school you are interested in to verify that their curriculum offers what you

Most programs will offer students a well-rounded curriculum that allows them to explore the various areas within broadcast communications. The curriculum usually includes digital television, digital radio, video production, video and audio editing, media advertising, sound design, sports broadcasting, introduction to theatre, programming and management, public speaking, and more. Students will also gain exposure to hands on experience as a result of the many labs and equipment they are able to work on as part of completing their coursework.

Schools that offer degrees in broadcast communications require that their students go thru internships. Internships are a way that students can work in the actual field they are interested in entering. Internships are completed at various TV stations, radio stations, digital medial firms, and even Internet video firms. Students can get experience with editing, camera operations, sound editing, writing, journalists, reporter, and news correspondent even in the management side of broadcast communication.

Upon graduation there will be a pretty good job market to enter depending on exactly which area of broadcast communications you wish to enter. Competition for certain positions will be stiff and your chances in obtaining these positions will depend on the school that you’ve graduated from, your practical experience, your G. P.A. and your overall ability and skill. It is important to realize that in any career comes hard work and dedication. The more that you put into your broadcast journalism career the more you will get out of it.

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