Scheduling Theory

TV companies want to reach the audience for a particular programme.

• Inheritance - scheduling a programme after a popular programme to "inherit" some of its audience.
• Pre-echo - Scheduling a programme before a popular programme, hoping that viewers will tune in early and enjoy the previous programme.
• Hammocking - a programme that is scheduled in between two popular programmes.
• Remote controls have had an impact on this theory as it is easier for people to switch channel.
• Satellite/cable/free view and sky+ allows the audience to become more active now as they can create their own schedule.
• Watershed, 9pm after which programmes contain stronger language, violence, sex, drugs etc. because children will have gone to bed. E.g. Inbetweeners.
• The end of some programmes run on to the next show so the audience catch the tail end and want to see it (inheritance).
• Narrowcasting - stops needing a remote as there is a specific choice of programme. E.g. Disney and Nickelodeon, Home, Discovery channel, Living and Food.