In my Introduction to Telecommunications course I am required to complete a "Networking/Field Experience" presentation where I must find someone who has the job that I want, go out to their workplace, interview them, document my experience in a 600 word paper, and present it to the class.
After sending out emails to several televsion stations in search of a producer who would be willing to help me, i was surprised to recieve replies from two producers within a day of my email. Both of them are producers at Bay News 9 in St. Petersburg. One is a producer for the On Demand Channel, and the other, a USF graduate, is a senior producer for the news broadcast.
I emailed my professor about interviewing them both and she thought it would be a good idea. She said i could do my project on one of them or both if i choose. Visiting with them both will give me a good idea of the diffeneces in producing canned On Demand shows and actual live news. Also it will add to my contacts and open up opportunities for an internship over the summer.
My first interview is with the On Demand producer and will be on February 7th at noon. I'm still waiting for a reply to find out when i will be meeting with the senior producer.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
The Big Switch
February 17th is a big day for millions of households that are still using analog televisions with rabbit ears. On this day television broadcasters are required to stop transmitting programming over the air as an analog signal and switch to a completely digital signal.
Even though Congress has voted to delay the switch until June 12th, broadcasters are being allowed to turn off analog signals as soon as the original February 17th date if they choose to do so. Transmitting both the analog and digital broadcast signals simultaneously is more expensive than transmitting only in digital. The reason for this delay is because of concerns that too many Americans will not be prepared for the switch. An article by ABC News states
The converter boxes cost anywhere from $40 to $80 each when purchased without a coupon. They will allow analog televisions to receive the digital signal and convert it into an analog signal that is supported by the television. The digital signal will provide improved video and sound quality and a better reception.
The analog to digital switch just goes to show how technology is rapidly advancing. This is one of the reasons i am so interested in working in the telecommunications field. With the way things are going now with HDTV and the Internet, i can't wait to see what the future will hold in terms of broadcasting technology.
Even though Congress has voted to delay the switch until June 12th, broadcasters are being allowed to turn off analog signals as soon as the original February 17th date if they choose to do so. Transmitting both the analog and digital broadcast signals simultaneously is more expensive than transmitting only in digital. The reason for this delay is because of concerns that too many Americans will not be prepared for the switch. An article by ABC News states
The Nielsen Co. estimates that more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog television sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals could see their TV sets go dark next month if the transition is not postponed.During this postponement period, the government will be gathering more funds in order to supply coupons to the public that can be used to purchase analog-to-digital converter boxes. The Commerce Department hit a $1.34 billion funding limit and is trying to send out new coupons as old ones expire and free up additional money.
The converter boxes cost anywhere from $40 to $80 each when purchased without a coupon. They will allow analog televisions to receive the digital signal and convert it into an analog signal that is supported by the television. The digital signal will provide improved video and sound quality and a better reception.
The analog to digital switch just goes to show how technology is rapidly advancing. This is one of the reasons i am so interested in working in the telecommunications field. With the way things are going now with HDTV and the Internet, i can't wait to see what the future will hold in terms of broadcasting technology.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Television vs. the Internet
In recent years, with the sudden uprising and rapid advancement of the Internet, many people are beginning to question whether television will be able to hold it's ground, and it's viewers. I believe that with the further development of the two mediums, they will become integrated into one technology that will offer the best of both. I have come across a couple of online articles regarding the topic. One blog by Brian Stelter is titled "In TV Versus Internet, TV Still Wins." Another article by Phil Coger is titled "TV vs. the Internet: Internet wins." The two provide contrasting evidence that one medium will prevail overall.
Stelter enforces his opinion that television is winning the battle by presenting a statistic from the annual analysis of TV viewing levels by Neilson Media Research. The company's research shows that the average amount of time per day that a television is tuned is 8 hours and 14 minutes. This number had not wavered far from the previous year's average. I find that this research can be misleading because I'm sure that a very large portion of those viewers were using the Internet simultaneously. I myself am guilty of this, my television is on now as i am typing this blog and i am paying no attention to it whatsoever. Stelter opens his article with this statement:
Cogar presents research from a survey conducted by IBM. The results of the survey showed that
Channel surfing has become far too tedious for most people, and the DVR has partially solved this problem. A device that enables the viewer to record programs and watch them on his or her own time. To me television is becoming more and more like the Internet, and i believe that one day it will no longer be a competition between the two. I see the two mediums merging into one, where people will be able to communicate, find information, and tune into their favorite shows when and where they want to, all on a single screen.
Stelter enforces his opinion that television is winning the battle by presenting a statistic from the annual analysis of TV viewing levels by Neilson Media Research. The company's research shows that the average amount of time per day that a television is tuned is 8 hours and 14 minutes. This number had not wavered far from the previous year's average. I find that this research can be misleading because I'm sure that a very large portion of those viewers were using the Internet simultaneously. I myself am guilty of this, my television is on now as i am typing this blog and i am paying no attention to it whatsoever. Stelter opens his article with this statement:
Amid the buzz about DVR playback, iTunes downloads, YouTube video streaming, and Slingbox place-shifting, it’s easy for prognosticators to dismiss television as an antiquated medium.Stelter fails to realize that Americans are doing these things while the television is running in the background, an old habit providing a familiar background noise in the home.
Cogar presents research from a survey conducted by IBM. The results of the survey showed that
19 percent of all respondents stated that they spent six hours or more per day on the Internet versus nine percent of respondents spending the same amount of time in front of the television.This supports my hypothesis that the majority of people who are still tuning into the television are devoting most of their attention towards the Internet during their viewing time. This is a time where people want their information as quickly and easily as possible, and the Internet can offer such information in a couple of clicks.
Channel surfing has become far too tedious for most people, and the DVR has partially solved this problem. A device that enables the viewer to record programs and watch them on his or her own time. To me television is becoming more and more like the Internet, and i believe that one day it will no longer be a competition between the two. I see the two mediums merging into one, where people will be able to communicate, find information, and tune into their favorite shows when and where they want to, all on a single screen.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
First RTNDA Meeting
Yesterday was the first meeting for the RTNDA student chapter at USF. The RTNDA is the Radio-Television News Directors Association. The RTNDA's Student Chapter Affiliate Program improves communication among students, educators and working professionals in radio, television and online news.
As an aspiring television producer, I am planning on becoming a member of this organization and several others during the semester. Many of these organizations, especially the RTNDA, are practically required to be considered for any job in the telecommunications industry.
As an aspiring television producer, I am planning on becoming a member of this organization and several others during the semester. Many of these organizations, especially the RTNDA, are practically required to be considered for any job in the telecommunications industry.
Begin Transmission...
This semester I am beginning my program for my major in television programming and production. I plan to dedicate my blog to my major and include information about the television industry and my experiences in my production classes this semester.
I will be attending meetings for several organizations and visiting local television studios, documenting my experiences along the way. In my Broadcast News class I am required to go out and film and edit my own news stories. I will include my experiences with these projects in my blog as well, and possibly some video clips of my work.
Information contained in my may be beneficial to someone who is curious about what goes on behind the scenes in a television studio and all of the work that goes into producing a news broadcast. I will post this type of information in my blog as I learn more about the television industry through my courses and experiences throughout the semester.
I will be attending meetings for several organizations and visiting local television studios, documenting my experiences along the way. In my Broadcast News class I am required to go out and film and edit my own news stories. I will include my experiences with these projects in my blog as well, and possibly some video clips of my work.
Information contained in my may be beneficial to someone who is curious about what goes on behind the scenes in a television studio and all of the work that goes into producing a news broadcast. I will post this type of information in my blog as I learn more about the television industry through my courses and experiences throughout the semester.
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