USC School of Cinematic Arts s2

USC School of Cinematic Arts

Syllabus

Managing Television Stations and Internet Media

“Managing Electronic Media, including TV Stations, Broadcast and Cable Networks, and the Internet.”

CTPR 461 /Section 18569R / SCA 203

Wednesday 6:30-9:30 PM

Spring 2013

Instructor: Dick Block / 310 452 3355 /

SA: Sarah Politis / 586 899 9194 /

Office Hours: Wed 3- 6. Please contact Sarah for an appointment. The instructor would like to meet with every student. Other times can be arranged.

INTRODUCTION

CTPR 461 focuses on management issues in cable, radio, TV broadcasting, and digital mass media.

Weekly guest speakers play a key role for their real-world insights that they bring to the class. In some instances speakers also represent opportunities for students to develop potential contacts for involvement in their respective industries and companies.

There is a tradition of a field trip where convergence has expanded classic TV single channel services to include digital multicast channels, digital mobile programming, Websites, social media, and apps..

Finally, the primary goal of the course is that students gain a unique understanding of the dynamics of each category of electronic media including economics, terminology, programming, marketing, regulation, and history.

WEEKLY STANDARD ASSIGNMENT (WSA)

The three-part WSA is due prior to class addressed to the instructor and cc’d to Sarah. Please be sure that everything is included in the email itself with no attachments, and that the subject-line reads: USC / 461 / Week 1 Assignment. (There will be variations from the WSA from time to time as indicated on the Schedule.) Late, unexcused submissions will have potential points reduced by 25%.

WSA Part 1

A comprehensive report on the remarks of the previous week’s guest speaker(s). Students should write the reports as if they were a bylined reporter, with personal comments and asides included with the essential facts. Bullet point reports are not acceptable

WSA Part 2

Two questions and the name(s) for the next guest speaker (s). Care should be taken that questions are relevant and substantive. Bios or resumes of speakers will be emailed to students in advance of class. Additional research on speakers is encouraged.

WSA Part 3

Three current news items on different media Each item should, subject medium, (1) Social Media, (2) TV Stations, (3) Radio, and the caption, such as, “Apple Interest in TV may be Cooling”, CNET 1/23/13

Items may be taken from the LIST OF SUGGESTED READING SOURCES, or other publications with high journalistic standards such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. Emphasis must be on the respective industry’s news, and neither widely covered subjects such as ratings of Super Bowls nor blogs from non-journalists lacking editorial oversight and fact checking are acceptable for these purposes.

Please include the rationale for selecting an item, and focus on significant subjects that are important to the industry at hand, and cite the date, caption and date. Another useful criterion for item selection is that it the student has learned something from it.

GRADING

WSA’s will be returned with comments by the instructor, and the points earned. If Midterms and Finals will be returned with grades without comment as they will be objective.

Weekly Assignments: 30% (10 points of which 5 are for the report on the speaker, 2 for the questions, and 3 for the news items). Exceptional work will be rewarded with increased points. The March 13-27 Student Career Workshop report will earn 20 points.

Class Participation 10%

Midterm 25%

Final 35% A 91-100% B 82-90. C71-81.D 62-70. F

LIST OF SUGGESTED INDUSTRY DIGITAL READING SOURCES:

ALL THINGS DIGITAL Internet Digital

*B&C Broadcast & Cable Business Slant

BUSINESS INSIDER Internet Media

C21 (Daily) International TV Comprehensive

CABLE U US Cable Networks Weekly Roundup

CYNOPSIS MEDIA TV & Advertising Daily report

CYNOPSIS: KIDS! TV / US & Intl Daily Report

DEADLINE Entertainment Biz Daily

MEDIABIZBLOGGERS Opinions Daily

MEDIA DAILY NEWS All media Comprehensive

MEDIA POST’S Television News Daily

MEDIA POST’S Video Daily

MEDIA REDEFINED Internet Comprehensive

MULTICHANNEL NEWS Cable / Satellite Augments weekly

NETNEWSCHECK Local Digital Media Daily

PAID CONTENT Internet Comprehensive

RBR TVBR Radio & TV business Daily

RADIO SALES TODAY RAB Radio

RADIO INFO DAILY Radio Comprehensive

RAPID TV NEWS International TV Newsletter-plus

TECH CRUNCH Internet Blogs

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER Internet Bulletins

TV FORMATS WEEKLY US & Intl TV Newsletter

TVNEWSCHECK TV Stations + Daily

TV SPY Inside local TV news

TV WEEK TV Daily / Comp

*VARIETY, Daily Entertainment Biz Daily Newsletter

WRAP The Entertainment Biz Daily

*WORLD SCREEN TV / Intl & Kids Daily

*Denotes primarily known for paper edition

Ken Lindner & Associates (KLA) is the premier news and hosting agency. KLA has developed the careers of many of this country's most preeminent network, syndicated, and local anchors, hosts, and correspondents

SCHEDULE - Subject to change.

In addition to booked guest speakers for Weeks 1 and 2, the following are confirmed pending the setting of date. Also pending are Fieldtrips. There will be a guest speaker

every week that the class meets on campus.

-Peter Gaffney, SVP, Program Strategy, Scheduling, and Acquisitions, History Channel

-KERN-TV Bakersfield General Manager, News Director, and Digital Manager.

-Noelle Keshishian, PR for the Kardashians and Natalie Lazarraga. Asst. to Kevin Frazier

-Suzanne Kolb, President, E!

-Ken Lindner, head of his agency that places hosts, anchors and reporters in TV networks, cable networks and TV stations.

-Christie McConnell, VP Development, Shine, and her assistant.

-Andy Russell, SVP, Strategy & Research, PBS, and assistants.

Week 1: January 16 - Guest Speaker: Kevin Frazier, Co-Host, “omg! The Insider,” nationally syndicated TV show.

Class Topics :

Hello!

Lexicon: 5—Programming

Assignment: WSA

Week 2: January 23 - Guest Speaker: “LA Radio Night”

Talent and managers from some of LA’s top stations.

WSA Student Reports

LA Radio Ratings

Lexicon 6—Research

Assignment: WSA

Week 3: January 30- Guest Speaker: TBA

WSA Student Reports

LA TV Ratings

Lexicon—7 Sales

NAB Financial Report

Assignment: WSA

Week 4: February 6 – Guest Speaker: Russ Myerson, Executive Vice President CW Television Network & General Manager CW PLUS.

Lexicon 1-Associations

Assignment : WSA

Week 5: February 13 - Guest Speaker TBA

Lexicon 2—Government & Regulation