Scheduling Strategies on Television

If broadcasted on television we had to research the best suitable time for our short film to be shown. For this we had to look into the scheduling strategies used for showing new programmes and the best techniques used to gain an audience. These methods/strategies where the best possible techniques used to gain that new audience.

Dayparting
In broadcasting, dayparting is the practice of dividing the day into several parts, during each of which a different type of radio programming or television programming appropriate for that time is aired. Programs are most often geared toward a particular demographic, and what the target audience typically engages in at that time.

Theming
Having special theme days (such as for a holiday), or theme weeks such as Discovery Channel's "Shark Week".
Stripping
Running a syndicated television series every day of the week. It is commonly restricted to describing the airing of shows which were weekly in their first run; The West Wing could be stripped, but not Jeopardy!, as daily is the schedule for which it is intended.

Stacking
Stacking is a technique used to develop audience flow by grouping together programs with similar appeals to "sweep" the viewer along from one program to the next.

Counterprogramming
Counterprogramming is used when a time period is filled with a program whose appeal is different from the opponent program because it is a different genre or appeals to a different demographic.

Bridging
Bridging is being used when a station tries to prevent the audience from changing channels during a junction point - the main evening breaks where all channels stop programs and shift gear. This is achieved in a number of ways including: having a program already underway and something compelling happening at a junction point, running a program late so that people ‘hang around’ and miss the start of other programs, or advertising the next program during the credits of the previous.

Tentpoling
In tent pole programming the programmers bank on a well-known series having so much audience appeal that they can place two unknown series on either side, and it is the strength of the central program that will bring the others along to victory.

Crossprogramming
Cross-programming involves the interconnection of two shows. This is achieved by dragging a storyline over two episodes of two different programs.

Hotswitching
In hotswitching, the programmers eliminate any sort of commercial break when one program ends and another begins; this immediately hooks the audience into watching the next program without a chance to change the channel between programs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcast_programming

Pre-scheduling
Starting a programme five minutes before a rival programme on another channel.
Inheritance Factor
Some audiences seem to “trust” and watch one channel for most of the evening, so the programmes of lesser appeal are put on after poplar ones in the hope that the audience will continue watching. This less popular programme “Inherits” some of the previous programmes audience.

Pre- Echo
Audiences tune in early. Audiences watch part of the programme before the one they want to watch so they don’t miss the beginning. This may be used as a strategy for building up audiences for less popular new programmes.

Hammocking
When a new or less popular programme is placed between two popular programmes.


By Oliver Fitch