Appointment Television

Definition

Appointment television refers to the practice of viewers scheduling their time around specific broadcast times for their favorite shows. This concept highlights the importance of live viewership and the social aspects of watching shows together, often impacting serialized and episodic drama structures by shaping narrative pacing and audience engagement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Appointment television became prominent with the rise of major network programming in the mid-20th century, where audiences planned their schedules around weekly showtimes.
2. The concept emphasizes community viewing experiences, where friends and family gather to watch a show at the same time, fostering discussions and shared reactions.
3. With the advent of streaming services, appointment television has declined but has seen a resurgence during major events like season finales or sports broadcasts.
4. Serialized dramas rely heavily on appointment television, as they build suspense and narrative arcs that encourage viewers to tune in regularly.
5. Episodic dramas can also benefit from appointment television by creating a sense of familiarity and routine among viewers, even if each episode tells a separate story.

Review Questions

• How does appointment television influence audience engagement with serialized versus episodic dramas?
  • Appointment television significantly affects audience engagement by creating a habit of regular viewership. In serialized dramas, this encourages viewers to invest emotionally in long-term story arcs and character development, while in episodic dramas, it builds a routine that allows audiences to enjoy standalone stories. This dynamic fosters a community experience where viewers discuss plots and theories with each other, enhancing their overall viewing experience.
• In what ways has the emergence of streaming services impacted the concept of appointment television?
  • Streaming services have transformed the landscape of appointment television by allowing viewers to watch shows on demand, reducing the necessity to tune in at specific times. This shift has led to a decline in traditional appointment viewing habits. However, some platforms still create event-driven content that encourages scheduled viewing for season premieres or finales, thus blending both on-demand flexibility and appointment viewing traditions.
• Evaluate the role of appointment television in shaping narrative structures within modern TV series.
  • Appointment television plays a crucial role in shaping narrative structures by dictating how stories are paced and developed. Serialized dramas often utilize cliffhangers and slow-burn storytelling techniques to retain viewer interest week after week. This strategy relies on appointment viewing for maximum impact. In contrast, episodic dramas may focus on self-contained narratives that provide immediate satisfaction but can still benefit from appointment viewing by creating a loyal audience base that returns regularly. Ultimately, this interaction influences how writers craft stories to maintain engagement over time.

Related terms

Live Viewership: The act of watching a television show in real-time as it airs, which often drives immediate audience reactions and social interactions.

Serialized Drama: A storytelling format in which a narrative unfolds over multiple episodes or seasons, creating an ongoing story that encourages viewers to keep returning.

Episodic Drama:

A format where each episode stands alone with its own storyline, allowing for casual viewing without the need to follow previous episodes.