Why Don't Network Televsion Show Charge Audience Admission?

[Casablanca]

Anyone know why shows like Leno and Letterman are free.
Always heard the networks [ public license and all] were not allowed to charge admission to the shows they produced and originate...not sporting events or musical concerts which they might cover and broadcast.

Any answers?

 

[searadiofreak]

A google search on this subject doesn't bring up much. There may be regulations, but another reason may be that in the early days of TV there wasn't much interest in being in the studio audience, and the concept simply has stuck over the decades. Or perhaps the lack of charging allows more rights for the networks, showing audience members on screen, making fun of them, etc. Or a third possibility, the game show scandals on the 1950's wanted to make sure they were above board and opened the audience to all. Just guesses, but I'm sure someone out there has the answer. Regardless, what a great entertainment value when visiting L.A.!

 

[dhett]

If I understand correctly, it's because the studio audience is part of the televised performance. Think about it - without a studio audience, what would these shows be? Because the shows are using the audience as part of their product, they are not allowed to charge the audience admission. I don't know where to find confirmation on that, but I'm pretty sure that's the reason.

 

[CrankyYankee]

While not providing an answer to the above question, http://www.oldtvtickets.com/ does provide
a gallery of tv ticket history.

 

[RadioFanBoy]

Let me answer the question with a question, and use tonight's Letterman and Leno lineup as an example......would you pay good money, take the time to but tickets and such to see Evangeline Lilly be interviewed, or "bubble-blower Tom Noddy"....or see Everclear perform just one song?

 

[ercjncpr]

I think it is nothing more mysterious than being a carryover from the old time radio days. Audiences got free tickets because the shows were already paid for by the sponsors.

 

[bhayes1016]

If I understand correctly, it's because the studio audience is part of the televised performance. Think about it - without a studio audience, what would these shows be? Because the shows are using the audience as part of their product, they are not allowed to charge the audience admission. I don't know where to find confirmation on that, but I'm pretty sure that's the reason.

This probably falls under a different category, but WWE charges admission for its RAW, Smackdown and ECW shows. And you can't say "well, that's a sporting event" because it's not, and they've admitted that for years.

 

[RadioFanBoy]

While not a sporting event, the WWE shows are different than other "audience" shows for a few reasons; Being held in large sporting venues around the country (although truth be told at all these "sold out" events, more than a few large sections are roped off and a few hundered seats end up being "comped"); die-hard fans willing to shell out bucks to see their favories up close, and perhaps get some face-time of their own on TV. Both TV nights, Mondays and Tuesday feature matches not shown on TV, and lots of goings on when the matches cut away on TV. Those who hold tickets for the Tuesday tapings get a 2 for 1 deal: The uncut Smackdown that everyone else has to wait for Friday to see edited, then after intermission -- they become ECW fans ;D

 

[dhett]

This probably falls under a different category, but WWE charges admission for its RAW, Smackdown and ECW shows. And you can't say "well, that's a sporting event" because it's not, and they've admitted that for years.

I wouldn't say, "Well, that's a sporting event." Sporting events aren't scripted - or at least they're not supposed to be.

The audience is not intended to be part of the "wrestling" show, unlike the studio shows.

 

[Morgan Wick]

It gets complicated, though, because WWE's competitor TNA doesn't charge admission to Impact tapings. Of course those are just on a soundstage on the Universal Orlando Resort...

 

[clichemoth]

It gets complicated, though, because WWE's competitor TNA doesn't charge admission to Impact tapings. Of course those are just on a soundstage on the Universal Orlando Resort...

...which Universal doesn't allow them to charge for. Good luck getting in, though, the lines are insane and the regulars know exactly where to camp out, which is why you see the same 400-500 people at every single show.

Either way, the same rule that applies to your slightly more legitimate sports applies to wrestling. The shows are for the live audience and TV is secondary, hence they charge.