• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Constant On-Screen E/I Bug Coming Soon

J

Joseph_Gallant

Guest
Broadcasting and Cable is reporting (Registration may be required) that the FCC will announce within a few days the date (likely about 30 days after the announcement, which would be just in-time for the start of the 2005/2006 television season) when broadcasters will have to show the "E/I" bug throughout an entire program that qualifies for "E/I" status.

Don't be surprised if the next step is a regulation that will mandate the content rating bug (i.e. TV-G, TV-PG, etc.) remaining on-screen for an entire program.
 
> Broadcasting and Cable is reporting (Registration may be
> required) that the FCC will announce within a few days the
> date (likely about 30 days after the announcement, which
> would be just in-time for the start of the 2005/2006
> television season) when broadcasters will have to show the
> "E/I" bug throughout an entire program that qualifies for
> "E/I" status.
>
> Don't be surprised if the next step is a regulation that
> will mandate the content rating bug (i.e. TV-G, TV-PG, etc.)
> remaining on-screen for an entire program.
------------
One day there will be no program. Just a bunch of bugs. Station or network logo, E/I, rating, current weather, some sports scores, and some other ads.
 
3-M! Buy, buy, buy!

> ------------
> One day there will be no program. Just a bunch of bugs.
> Station or network logo, E/I, rating, current weather, some
> sports scores, and some other ads.

Today's stock tip: BUY 3-M! They make duct tape. Not just
your ordinary duct tape, they make BLACK duct tape. Just
what you need to put across the lower 1/3 of your screen to
block out all this distracting crap. Once they start
promoting it for the purpose their sales are going through
the roof!

Oh...buy your black duct tape early and avoid the rush
and shortages! <P ID="signature">______________
Appoint a special prosecutor NOW! For any imagined offense by anybody. The trial lawyers need the work; they multiply like rats!</P>
 
> Broadcasting and Cable is reporting (Registration may be
> required) that the FCC will announce within a few days the
> date (likely about 30 days after the announcement, which
> would be just in-time for the start of the 2005/2006
> television season) when broadcasters will have to show the
> "E/I" bug throughout an entire program that qualifies for
> "E/I" status.
>
> Don't be surprised if the next step is a regulation that
> will mandate the content rating bug (i.e. TV-G, TV-PG, etc.)
> remaining on-screen for an entire program.
>

Be happy they don't do the following here:

In Japan, TV stations running programs at certain times have to have a big digital clock in the upper left corner. I've heard this is so kids know what time it is so they get to bed for school in the morning (I've seen the clock on screen shots of programs) I think they also do it in the morning to remind kids to get going.
 
Re: 3-M! Buy, buy, buy!

> Today's stock tip: BUY 3-M! They make duct tape. Not just
> your ordinary duct tape, they make BLACK duct tape. Just
> what you need to put across the lower 1/3 of your screen to
> block out all this distracting crap. Once they start
> promoting it for the purpose their sales are going through
> the roof!

Actually you want gaffers tape, as you can take it off without leaving a messy residue.<P ID="signature">______________
WCBS = We're Crazy Buffoons and Schmucks
<a href=http://chuck.spotteddogs.org/tv/>Spotted Dog TV Talk - for all your non-news TV Talk</a></P>
 
Some stations are already doing this. UPN 59 in New Haven, CT is already doing this during Critter Jitters and Jack Hanna every morning between 8AM and 9 . TV 43 the Shop@Home Network affiliate is already doing this during their Ask Gilby/New Zoo Revue Block between 7AM and 10AM on Wednesdays. There's others too.
 
Re: 3-M! Buy, buy, buy!

If you believe the Dept. of Homeland Security it will also help out in terrorist attacks. Personally I think too many bugs on the TV is a terrorist attack... these broadcasters are hijacking part of my TV screen!

I find the bugs unnecessary in this day of digital TV. I can understand this on broadcast analog (UNC-TV has the E/I always on now, incorporating it within their 'Readaroo' bug - not too bad really - only a little bigger than the PBS Kids bug) but with digital TV extra information can be broadcast, making such things as age ratings, branding and E/I bugs unnecessary.

Also your tape across the bottom 1/3rd of the screen is useless for stations like BBC America where their "bug" is in the top left hand corner of the screen. Otherwise I enjoyed the post!

Mark.



> > Today's stock tip: BUY 3-M! They make duct tape. Not
> just
> > your ordinary duct tape, they make BLACK duct tape. Just
> > what you need to put across the lower 1/3 of your screen
> to
> > block out all this distracting crap. Once they start
> > promoting it for the purpose their sales are going through
>
> > the roof!
>
> Actually you want gaffers tape, as you can take it off
> without leaving a messy residue.
>
 
> In Japan, TV stations running programs at certain times have
> to have a big digital clock in the upper left corner. I've
> heard this is so kids know what time it is so they get to
> bed for school in the morning (I've seen the clock on screen
> shots of programs) I think they also do it in the morning to
> remind kids to get going.
>

I'd rather have the clock than the enormous ratings bug. At least you could set your watch by it.

How long will it be before some children's program paints "E/I" all over their set or draws it into each frame of animation?
 
Re: TV Bug Terrorism

> If you believe the Dept. of Homeland Security it will also
> help out in terrorist attacks. Personally I think too many
> bugs on the TV is a terrorist attack... these broadcasters
> are hijacking part of my TV screen!
----------
Now you're paranoid. Those bugs are from Al Qaida eh? Surprising Bush hasn't done anything about those bugs yet. :p

More seriously, this brings up another possibility. Stations will start adding the Terrorism Threat Meter as yet another bug. CNN will be the first; they already have it in their L3 scroll!

> I find the bugs unnecessary in this day of digital TV. I
> can understand this on broadcast analog (UNC-TV has the E/I
> always on now, incorporating it within their 'Readaroo' bug
> - not too bad really - only a little bigger than the PBS
> Kids bug) but with digital TV extra information can be
> broadcast, making such things as age ratings, branding and
> E/I bugs unnecessary.
----------
I agree. Just a hit of the "info" button or whatever should get you the call letters/network, rating, E/I and such. Movies are meant to be viewed clean of clutter. Now that we have HD 16:9 television sets, we should be allowed the full experience.

> Also your tape across the bottom 1/3rd of the screen is
> useless for stations like BBC America where their "bug" is
> in the top left hand corner of the screen. Otherwise I
> enjoyed the post!
----------
Most American networks/stations put their bug in the lower right, but I've seen all the other corners used. Some sports programming on the CBC in Canada uses the upper right corner for some reason, and the French educational network in Ontario (TFO) has an upper left bug. Some shows have a lower-left bug, such as Oprah. Didn't NBC also use the upper right sometimes?
 
> How long will it be before some children's program paints
> "E/I" all over their set or draws it into each frame of
> animation?
---------
I remember the good 'ol days of watching cartoons on WJBK Detroit on Saturday mornings. No bugs! The only thing they had was the CBS "In Stereo Where Available" animation in the L3 at the very beginning.
 
> Be happy they don't do the following here:
>
> In Japan, TV stations running programs at certain times have
> to have a big digital clock in the upper left corner. I've
> heard this is so kids know what time it is so they get to
> bed for school in the morning (I've seen the clock on screen
> shots of programs) I think they also do it in the morning to
> remind kids to get going.

Is this why the "TV Japan" service available via satellite here in the US always has a clock on screen during its free NHK programming that airs in the morning (EST)?

I always thought it was just because it served as a de facto "morning show" for Japanese viewers and used the clock merely to be informative. From what you're saying, it sounds more like they do it because it would expected on any Japanese channel. (I realize it is not *required* in the US, but it seems to serve as a "taste of home TV".)
 
Re: TV Bug Terrorism

> Movies are meant to be viewed clean of clutter. Now that we
> have HD 16:9 television sets, we should be allowed the full
> experience.

Since the NCTA's edict to enlargen ratings bugs began a couple of months ago, nothing ruins a movie like a big ratings bug appearing after each commercial, or a bug invading the movie studio's logo's turf -- have you seen an MGM film on a commercial cable network lately? Since the rule started, poor Leo the Lion became upstaged by the TV ratings system.

> Some shows have a
> lower-left bug, such as Oprah. Didn't NBC also use the
> upper right sometimes?
>

In Oprah's case (and the case of other talk and tabloid shows), they always not have a logo in the lower-right, knowing it would be obscured by the logo of the carrying station.

In NBC's case -- it's often during sports programming, when scores and other stats would be shown at the bottom of the screen.
 
Re: TV Bug Terrorism

> More seriously, this brings up another possibility.
> Stations will start adding the Terrorism Threat Meter as yet
> another bug. CNN will be the first; they already have it in
> their L3 scroll!

The threat meter is about as useful as TV ratings.


> > E/I bugs unnecessary.
> ----------
> I agree. Just a hit of the "info" button or whatever should
> get you the call letters/network, rating, E/I and such.
> Movies are meant to be viewed clean of clutter. Now that we
> have HD 16:9 television sets, we should be allowed the full
> experience.

That would be nice, as those who don't really want to see any of that info won't have to be subjected to it.

> Most American networks/stations put their bug in the lower
> right, but I've seen all the other corners used. Some
> sports programming on the CBC in Canada uses the upper right
> corner for some reason, and the French educational network
> in Ontario (TFO) has an upper left bug. Some shows have a
> lower-left bug, such as Oprah. Didn't NBC also use the
> upper right sometimes?

Some stations use the lower left for their bugs, but that is mainly seen on newscasts, see WWOR.<P ID="signature">______________
WCBS = We're Crazy Buffoons and Schmucks
<a href=http://chuck.spotteddogs.org/tv/>Spotted Dog TV Talk - for all your non-news TV Talk</a></P>
 
Re: 3-M! Buy, buy, buy!

> > Today's stock tip: BUY 3-M! They make duct tape. Not
> just
> > your ordinary duct tape, they make BLACK duct tape. Just
> > what you need to put across the lower 1/3 of your screen
> to
> > block out all this distracting crap. Once they start
> > promoting it for the purpose their sales are going through
>
> > the roof!
>
> Actually you want gaffers tape, as you can take it off
> without leaving a messy residue.
>

What is "gaffers tape"?
 
> Broadcasting and Cable is reporting (Registration may be
> required) that the FCC will announce within a few days the
> date (likely about 30 days after the announcement, which
> would be just in-time for the start of the 2005/2006
> television season) when broadcasters will have to show the
> "E/I" bug throughout an entire program that qualifies for
> "E/I" status.
>
> Don't be surprised if the next step is a regulation that
> will mandate the content rating bug (i.e. TV-G, TV-PG, etc.)
> remaining on-screen for an entire program.
>

ABC does that now.<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
NOT a gaffe.

> What is "gaffers tape"?

A "gaffe" is a mistake. A "gaffer" is a worker on movie and
TV sets concerned with scenery and props.

"Gaffers tape" is a type of tape favored by Gaffers for
sticking stuff together temporarily.

It's similar in appearance to common duct tape and is made
in various widths and colors. The major difference is the
adhesive. Think of it as sorta like "post-it" notes. The
stickum is meant to release without leaving a sticky residue
behind. It doesn't hold as well as duct tape but it's meant
to be a temporary thing.

Now the quiz:

What's a "best boy"?

It's a legitimate job title in TV and film...no wisecracks,
please. But what does he or she (there ARE female "best boys")
do?<P ID="signature">______________
Special Prosecutor: Synonym for future 'Congressional Candidate".</P>
 
Re: NOT a gaffe.

> > What is "gaffers tape"?
>
> A "gaffe" is a mistake. A "gaffer" is a worker on movie and
>
> TV sets concerned with scenery and props.
>
> "Gaffers tape" is a type of tape favored by Gaffers for
> sticking stuff together temporarily.
>
> It's similar in appearance to common duct tape and is made
> in various widths and colors. The major difference is the
> adhesive. Think of it as sorta like "post-it" notes. The
> stickum is meant to release without leaving a sticky residue
>
> behind. It doesn't hold as well as duct tape but it's meant
>
> to be a temporary thing.
>
> Now the quiz:
>
> What's a "best boy"?
>
> It's a legitimate job title in TV and film...no wisecracks,
>
> please. But what does he or she (there ARE female "best
> boys")
> do?
>

"best boy" is the gaffer's #1 assistant, correct?
 
> Broadcasting and Cable is reporting (Registration may be
> required) that the FCC will announce within a few days the
> date (likely about 30 days after the announcement, which
> would be just in-time for the start of the 2005/2006
> television season) when broadcasters will have to show the
> "E/I" bug throughout an entire program that qualifies for
> "E/I" status.
>
> Don't be surprised if the next step is a regulation that
> will mandate the content rating bug (i.e. TV-G, TV-PG, etc.)
> remaining on-screen for an entire program.
>
They do this and I will stop watching television! Oh! Wait a minute, I already have because it is so bad already!
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom