Broadcast programming

{{Short description|Scheduled radio and television broadcasts}} {{distinguish|Radio program}} {{redirect|Radio programmer|other uses|Radio programming}} {{redirect|Television programming|the content itself|Television show}} [[File:AFN TV schedule 1983 (cropped).png|thumb|upright=1.35|Extract from the [[American Forces Network]] TV schedule for December 1983]] '''Broadcast programming''' is the practice of scheduling [[Broadcasting|broadcast]] media shows, typically [[radio]] and [[television]], in a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or season-long schedule.

Modern broadcasters use [[broadcast automation]] to regularly change the scheduling of their shows to build an audience for a new show, retain that [[audience]], or compete with other broadcasters' shows. Most broadcast [[television show]]s are presented weekly in [[prime time]] or daily in other [[dayparting|dayparts]], though there are many exceptions.

At a micro level, scheduling is the minute planning of the transmission; what to broadcast and when, ensuring an adequate or maximum utilization of airtime. Television scheduling strategies are employed to give shows the best possible chance of attracting and retaining an audience. They are used to deliver shows to audiences when they are most likely to want to watch them and deliver audiences to advertisers in the composition that makes their advertising most likely to be effective.<ref>Eastman, S.T., and Ferguson, D.A. (2013). ''Media programming: Strategies and Practices'' (9th ed.), Boston: Thomson Wadsworth.</ref>

With the growth of digital platforms and services allowing [[Non-linear media|non-linear]], on-demand access to television content, this approach to broadcasting has since been referred to using the [[retronym]] '''linear''' (such as '''linear television''' and '''linear channels''').<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/brett-weitz-on-tnt-tbs-future-no-dark-depressing-dramas-more-unscripted-on-tnt-1202555092/ |title=Brett Weitz On TNT & TBS' Future, No "Dark, Depressing Dramas" & More Unscripted On TNT |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2019-02-12 |website=Deadline |language=en |access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-tv-upfront-networks-advertising-spending-20190511-story.html |title=Network TV viewing is down, but strong demand for ads is expected to boost upfront sales |last=Battaglio |first=Stephen |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=11 May 2019 |access-date=2019-05-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/335761/in-age-of-time-shifted-viewing-networks-stay-on-s.html |title=In Age Of Time-Shifted Viewing, Networks Stay On Schedule |website=MediaPost TV Blog |first=Adam|last=Buckman|date=May 14, 2019}}</ref>

==History== With the beginning of scheduled television in 1936, television programming was initially only concerned with filling a few hours each evening – the hours now known as [[prime time]]. Over time, though, television began to be seen during the daytime and late at night, as well on the weekends. As air time increased, so did the demand for new material. With the exception of [[sports television]], variety shows became much more important in prime time.

==Scheduling strategies== ===Lead-ins and lead-outs=== Broadcasters may schedule a program to air before or after a widely viewed [[Tentpole|tent-pole]] program, such as a popular series, or a special such as a high-profile [[Broadcasting of sports events|sporting event]] (such as, in the United States, the [[List of Super Bowl lead-out programs|Super Bowl]]), in the hope that [[audience flow]] will encourage the audience to tune-in early or stay for the second program. The second program is usually one that the broadcaster wants to promote to a wider audience, such as a new or lower-profile series.<ref>{{cite news |last=McCabe |first=Bruce |date=1996-01-28 |title='Super' Episodes Of 'Friends' |page=4 |work=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Baysinger |first=Tim |date=February 1, 2016 |title=Infographic: Do TV Shows Airing After the Super Bowl Gain Long-Term Viewers? |newspaper=Adweek |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/television/infographic-do-tv-shows-leading-out-super-bowl-gain-long-term-viewers-169280}}</ref> Lead-outs are typically chosen to appeal to similar [[Demography|demographics]] as the program which preceded it, in an effort to retain as much of the audience as possible; for example, [[Spike TV]]'s scheduling of the [[mixed martial arts]] reality series ''[[The Ultimate Fighter]]'' as a lead-out for the [[professional wrestling]] show ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' resulted in a 36% increase in viewership in the time slot, with the program retaining 57% of ''Raw''<nowiki/>'s audience among young adult males.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 20, 2004 |title=Spike's Ultimate Fighter Pins Ratings |url=http://www.multichannel.com/article/85966-Spike_s_Ultimate_Fighter_Pins_Ratings.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113122835/http://www.multichannel.com/article/85966-Spike_s_Ultimate_Fighter_Pins_Ratings.php |archive-date=November 13, 2011 |access-date=November 22, 2010 |work=Multi Channel News |publisher=[[NewBay Media]]}}</ref>

In some cases, a lead-in may be an episode of a series that has a tie-in or relevance to the lead-out, such as [[BBC One]] scheduling a ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[The Interstellar Song Contest|episode]] parodying the [[Eurovision Song Contest]] as a lead-in for its live broadcast of the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2025|2025 edition]]. In turn, the episode was also a lead-out for the [[2025 FA Cup final]]; the hammocking of the episode between two live events proved to be risky, as the episode could have been preempted if the FA Cup match went to [[extra time]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berriman |first1=Ian |last2=Murray |first2=Emily |date=27 March 2025 |title=Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies reveals why season 2's Eurovision inspired episode has him taking the "sexiest f***ing risk" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/doctor-who-eurovision/ |access-date=17 May 2025 |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[SFX (magazine)|SFX]]}}</ref> However, this did not prove to be the case,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hytner |first1=David |date=17 May 2025 |title=Crystal Palace stun Manchester City to win FA Cup amid drama and Henderson controversy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/17/crystal-palace-manchester-city-fa-cup-final-match-report |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250517185532/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/17/crystal-palace-manchester-city-fa-cup-final-match-report |archive-date=17 May 2025 |access-date=18 May 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> and the episode was the third-highest rated program of the night, behind only the FA Cup and Eurovision themselves.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hibbs |first=James |date=18 May 2025 |title=Doctor Who overnight ratings confirmed for The Interstellar Song Contest |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/doctor-who-interstellar-song-contest-overnight-ratings-newsupdate/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518155611/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/doctor-who-interstellar-song-contest-overnight-ratings-newsupdate/ |archive-date=18 May 2025 |access-date=18 May 2018 |work=[[Radio Times]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Lead-outs can sometimes help to launch new programs and talent. [[NBC]] premiered ''[[Late Night with David Letterman|Late Night]]'' in 1982 as a lead-out for its long-running [[late-night talk show]] ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'', which helped launch the career of its host [[David Letterman]], and influence later entries in the genre.<ref name="nyt-nov-1981">{{cite news |last=Schwartz |first=Tony |date=10 November 1981 |title=Letterman Replacing Snyder |agency=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/10/arts/letterman-replacing-snyder.html |access-date=24 September 2021}}</ref><ref>Bushkin, Henry. [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-johnny-carson-quit-tonight-644508 How Johnny Carson Nearly Quit 'Tonight' and Scored TV's Richest Deal Ever]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''. Retrieved September 4, 2014.</ref> ''Late Night'' would continue as a franchise with hosts such as [[Conan O'Brien]] and [[Jimmy Fallon]]—both of whom would later go on to host ''The Tonight Show''.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Browne |first1=David |title=How David Letterman Reinvented TV |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/how-david-letterman-reinvented-tv-175056/ |access-date=October 31, 2021 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=29 September 2011 |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]}}</ref>

In the 1993–94 season, [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] scheduled ''[[The X-Files]]'' as a lead-out for its [[sci-fi western]] [[The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.|''The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.'']], with the expectation that ''Brisco County Jr.'' would serve as the anchor of its Friday-night lineup. However, ''The X-Files'' proved to be significantly more successful, and would eventually run for nine seasons. By contrast, viewership for ''Brisco County Jr.'' declined throughout the season, and the show was cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kissell |first=Rick |date=2002-05-21 |title=Peacock struts its stuff |url=https://variety.com/2002/tv/news/peacock-struts-its-stuff-2-1117867346/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fretts |first=Bruce |date=December 10, 1993 |title=Will CBS take the fall? |url=https://ew.com/article/1993/12/10/will-cbs-take-fall/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |issue=200 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425210917/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C308917%2C00.html |archive-date=April 25, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Jennifer |date=July 15, 1994 |title=Fox president shoots for the top from the bottom line |page=6B |work=The St. Petersburg Times (Florida)}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Vitaris |first=Paula |author2=Dan Coyle |date=April 2002 |title=X'd Out |journal=Cinefantastique |volume=34 |issue=2 |page=38}}</ref> Fox attempted to use other sci-fi shows as a lead-in for ''The X-Files'' (such as ''[[Sliders (TV series)|Sliders]]'' and ''[[VR.5]]''), but they were similarly unsuccessful.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pergament |first=Alan |title=FOX SAVES 'PARTY OF FIVE,' SENDS 'SLIDERS,' 'VR.5' FOR A DIVE |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/fox-saves-party-of-five-sends-sliders-vr-5-for-a-dive/article_bc916428-ffed-5594-9aa6-4587d864fdb1.html |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Buffalo News |date=24 May 1995 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Easy does it for Fox shows |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/05/24/easy-does-it-for-fox-shows/ |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SCI-FI SHOWS PROVE ALIEN TO NETWORKS |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-01-21-9801210097-story.html |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Chicago Tribune|date=21 January 1998 }}</ref>

A weak lead-in can have an impact on the viewership of programs that follow; NBC's 2009 attempt to [[Broadcast programming#Stripping|strip]] the talk show ''[[The Jay Leno Show]]'' (a spiritual successor to Leno's tenure of ''The Tonight Show'' after Conan O'Brien [[The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien|succeeded]] him) in a 10:00 p.m. ET/PT timeslot proved detrimental to the viewership of late local newscasts on its affiliates.<ref>Pergament, Alan (November 17, 2009). [http://blogs.buffalonews.com/talkintv/2009/11/the-leno-effect-sweeping-channel-2-at-11.html The Leno Effect sweeping channel 2 at 11] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127114600/http://blogs.buffalonews.com/talkintv/2009/11/the-leno-effect-sweeping-channel-2-at-11.html|date=November 27, 2009}}. The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2009-11-17.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Lazare |first=Lewis |date=December 1, 2009 |title=WLUP all talked out, 'Byrd' to steer tunes for drivers |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=http://www.suntimes.com/business/lazare/1912877,CST-FIN-lew01.article |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091204030116/http://www.suntimes.com/business/lazare/1912877,CST-FIN-lew01.article |archive-date=December 4, 2009}}</ref> NBC subsequently announced plans to shorten ''The Jay Leno Show'' to a half hour and move it to 11:35 p.m. ET/PT in late-February 2010, displacing ''The Tonight Show'' from its traditional timeslot. This proposal led to a [[2010 Tonight Show conflict|public conflict between O'Brien and NBC]], and ultimately resulted in his departure from the network, and the reinstatement of Jay Leno as host of ''The Tonight Show''.<ref name="wsj11910">{{cite news |last1=Schechner |first1=Sam |last2=Ovide |first2=Shira |last3=Schuker |first3=Lauren A.E. |date=January 19, 2010 |title=NBC to Pay $40 Million to Show Conan O'Brien the Door |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704541004575011482898148788?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829164803/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704541004575011482898148788?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories |archive-date=August 29, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Serjeant |first=Jill |date=January 15, 2010 |title=NBC's Talk Show Wars Seen as PR Disaster for All |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9575927 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131094748/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9575927 |archive-date=January 31, 2010}}</ref>

A type of lead-out popularized by some series is an ''[[aftershow]]''—a supplemental [[talk show]] devoted to the preceding program. They usually feature discussion and analysis of its most recent episode, interviews with cast members and celebrity fans of the series, behind-the-scenes features, as well as audience and viewer interactivity. These formats were employed by networks such as [[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]] (which aired series such as ''[[Talking Dead]]'' for [[The Walking Dead (TV series)|''The Walking Dead'']]), where they served as a cost-effective lead-out that could retain viewers and appeal to [[Fandom|fans]] of a popular series.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=August 9, 2013 |title=After the show is the after-show — TV networks look to capitalize on biggest hits |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/after-the-show-is-the-after-show--tv-networks-look-to-capitalize-on-biggest-hits/2013/08/08/bf5b5674-febe-11e2-9711-3708310f6f4d_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303101037/http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/after-the-show-is-the-after-show--tv-networks-look-to-capitalize-on-biggest-hits/2013/08/08/bf5b5674-febe-11e2-9711-3708310f6f4d_story.html |archive-date=2014-03-03 |access-date= |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="Variety 2 June 2016">{{cite news |last1=Kelley |first1=Seth |date=2 June 2016 |title=TV's Aftershow Phenomenon: From 'Talking Dead' to 'After the Thrones' |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/spotlight/tv-aftershows-talking-dead-after-the-thrones-1201787313/ |accessdate=25 June 2016 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=19 May 2016 |title=From Toronto to Westeros, the birth of the after show |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2016/05/19/from-toronto-to-westeros-the-birth-of-the-after-show.html |access-date=2019-05-13 |website=The Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref>

===Blocks=== {{Main article|Block programming}}

'''Block programming''' is the practice of scheduling a group of complementary programs together. Blocks are typically built around specific genres (i.e. a block focusing specifically on [[sitcom]]s), target audiences, or other factors, with their programming often promoted collectively under blanket titles (such as [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s "[[TGIF (TV programming block)|TGIF]]" lineup and [[NBC]]'s "[[Must See TV]]").

===Bridging=== '''Bridging''' is the practice of discouraging the audience from changing channels during the "junctions" between specific programs. This can be done, primarily, by airing promos for the next program near the end of the preceding program, such as during its credits,<ref>Ellis, J. (2000) Seeing Things: Television in the Age of Uncertainty, London: I.B. Tauris.</ref> or reducing the length of the junction between two programs as much as possible ('''hot switching'''). The host of the next program may similarly make a brief appearance near the end of the preceding program (sometimes interacting directly with the host) to provide a preview; in [[news broadcasting]], this is typically referred to as a "throw" or "toss".<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Steinberg|first=Jacques|date=2005-05-04|title='Daily Show' Personality Gets His Own Platform|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/04/arts/television/daily-show-personality-gets-his-own-platform.html|access-date=2019-09-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

A bridge was used by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] between ''[[Roseanne]]'' and the December 1992 series premiere of ''[[The Jackie Thomas Show]]'', a new sitcom co-created by [[Roseanne Barr|Roseanne]] and [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]] of ''Roseanne'' fame. A scene of the Connor family watching its opening on TV seamlessly transitioned into the program itself, with no junction in between. ABC commissioned a minute-by-minute Nielsen ratings report, which showed that the majority of viewers from ''Roseanne'' had been retained during the premiere.<ref>Carter, Bill. "ABC's Extra Careful Look At 'Jackie Thomas Show'." ''The New York Times'', 1992-12-07, p. D8.</ref><ref name="carter930321">Carter, Bill. "As Cliff and Norm Drink Up, In Walks Seinfeld." ''[[The New York Times]]'', 1993-03-21, p. A31.</ref> In June 2007, CBS scheduled a prime time encore of the season finale of ''[[The Price Is Right|The Price is Right]]—''the final episode hosted by long-time emcee [[Bob Barker]]—as a lead-in to its telecast of the [[34th Daytime Emmy Awards]] (where Barker and ''Price'' respectively won the awards for [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host|Outstanding Game Show Host]] and [[Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show|Outstanding Game Show]]), with an additional bridge scene featuring Barker.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=2007-05-23 |title=Barker’s final ‘Price’ airing June 15 |url=https://variety.com/2007/biz/markets-festivals/barker-s-final-price-airing-june-15-1117965636/ |access-date=2025-09-04 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2007-06-15 |title=Winners of The 34th Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards |url=http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/_pdf/day_0607_telecast_winners.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618190939/http://www.emmyonline.org/mediacenter/daytime_34th_telecast_winners.html |archive-date=18 June 2007 |access-date=2007-06-16 |publisher=[[National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences]]}}</ref>

Owing to both programs' [[news comedy]] formats, the [[Comedy Central]] program ''[[The Daily Show]]'' used newscast-style toss segments to promote its new spin-off and lead-out, ''[[The Colbert Report]]'', in which host [[Jon Stewart]] would engage in a comedic conversation with the latter's host, [[Stephen Colbert (character)|Stephen Colbert]], via [[Split screen (video production)|split-screen]].<ref name=":0" /> On the December 18, 2014 episode of ''The Daily Show'', this segment was used to seamlessly segue into the [[Final episode of The Colbert Report|series finale]] of ''The Colbert Report''. At its conclusion, the show transitioned back to Stewart (giving the impression that the entire ''Colbert Report'' episode was merely a segment of ''The Daily Show)'', who concluded his show with its traditional closing segment "[[Your Moment of Zen]]" (which featured an outtake from a previous toss segment) as normal.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-12-19|title=Colbert's pitch-perfect finale: "Stephen Colbert" breaks character at last|url=https://www.salon.com/2014/12/19/colberts_pitch_perfect_finale_stephen_colbert_breaks_character_at_last/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-06|website=Salon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219204306/http://www.salon.com/2014/12/19/colberts_pitch_perfect_finale_stephen_colbert_breaks_character_at_last/ |archive-date=2014-12-19 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='Colbert Report' Final Episode Includes Santa Claus and Tons of Celebrities|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/colbert-report-final-episode-includes-santa-claus-tons/story?id=27709606|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-07|website=ABC News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219064859/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/colbert-report-final-episode-includes-santa-claus-tons/story?id=27709606 |archive-date=2014-12-19 }}</ref>

In some cases, a channel may intentionally allow a program to overrun into the next half-hour timeslot rather than end exactly on the half-hour, in order to discourage viewers from [[channel surfing|"surfing" away]] at traditional junction periods (since they had missed the beginnings of programs on other channels already). This can, however, cause disruptions with recorders if they are not aware of the scheduling (typically, [[digital video recorder]]s can be configured to automatically record for a set length of time before and after a schedule's given timeslot in [[Electronic program guide|program guide]] data to account for possible variances).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://slate.com/culture/2013/06/accurate-recording-the-one-amazing-feature-that-makes-european-dvrs-so-much-better-than-american-dvrs.html|title=Why Do Americans Have the Worst DVRs?|date=June 21, 2013|website=Slate|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a14438/odd-timings-cause-tivo-to-issue-warning-in-us/|title=Odd timings cause TiVo to issue warning in US|date=May 12, 2004|website=Digital Spy|access-date=September 9, 2019}}</ref> For a period, [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] intentionally scheduled all of its programs at 5 and 35 minutes past the hour rather than exactly on the half hour (a practice it marketed as "Turner Time"), to attract viewers tuning away from other channels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/media/inside-turner-s-quest-broadcast-tv-networks/234135|title=Inside Turner's Quest to Take on Broadcast|date=2012-04-16|website=adage.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-09}}</ref>

===Crossovers=== {{Main article|Crossover (fiction)}}

'''Crossovers''' can be organized between multiple programs, in which a single storyline is extended across episodes of two or more separate programs. Typically, these involve programs that form a single franchise or [[shared universe]], such as the ABC dramas ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'' and ''[[Station 19]]'' (both created by [[Shonda Rhimes]]),<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Highfill |first=Samantha |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Grey's Anatomy to return with supersize premiere, Station 19 crossover |url=https://ew.com/tv/greys-anatomy-season-17-premiere-date-station-19-crossover/ |access-date=November 13, 2020 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> CBS's [[NCIS (franchise)|''NCIS'' franchise]] (which have done crossovers between each other, as well as with CBS's reboot of ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]''),<ref name=":03">{{Cite web |last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2026-04-17|title='NCIS: New York': The Backstory of Sam Hanna Spinoff With LL Cool J|url=https://deadline.com/2026/04/ncis-new-york-spinoff-ll-cool-j-scott-caan-backstory-sam-hanna-1236862990/|access-date=2026-05-16|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bucksbaum|first=Sydney|date=October 3, 2022|title=CBS to air first-ever {{'}}''NCIS''-verse' crossover with ''NCIS'', ''NCIS: Los Angeles'', and ''NCIS: Hawai'i''|url=https://ew.com/tv/ncis-crossover-event-ncis-ncis-la-ncis-hawaii-cbs/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006211650/https://ew.com/tv/ncis-crossover-event-ncis-ncis-la-ncis-hawaii-cbs/|archive-date=October 6, 2022|access-date=October 6, 2022|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]]}}</ref> and NBC's ''[[Chicago (franchise)|Chicago]]'' [[Chicago (franchise)|franchise]] (which have done crossovers between each other, and with fellow [[Dick Wolf]] series ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'').<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2014 |title='Chicago Fire' season 3 will feature more 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Chicago PD' crossovers |url=http://cartermatt.com/120098/chicago-fire-season-3-will-feature-law-order-svu-chicago-pd-crossovers/ |access-date=May 22, 2014 |work=CarterMatt}}</ref>

===Counterprogramming=== {{Main article|Counterprogramming (television)}}

'''Counterprogramming''' is the practice of deliberately scheduling programming to attract viewers away from another, major program. Counterprogramming efforts often involve scheduling a contrasting program of a different genre or demographic, targeting viewers who may not be interested in the major program (such as a sporting event, which typically draws a predominantly-male audience, against an awards show that attracts a predominantly-female audience).<ref name=ut-headtohead>{{cite web |title= NASCAR going head-to-head with Oscars|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2009/Feb/20/1s20mediacol223519-nascar-going-head-head-oscars/|work=U-T San Diego |access-date= 12 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Daily/Issues/2012/02/28/Media/NBA%20ASG.aspx|title=NBA All-Star Game's 7.1 Million Viewers Down 22% From Telecast In '11|date=February 28, 2012|website=Sports Business Daily|language=en|access-date=2019-09-29}}</ref> Despite frequently being among the top U.S. television broadcasts of all time, the [[Super Bowl]] has had a prominent history of being [[Super Bowl counterprogramming|counterprogrammed]] in this manner. One of the most prominent examples of this practice was [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]'s [[Super Bowl XXVI|1992]] airing of a special live episode of ''[[In Living Color]]'' against the game's [[List of Super Bowl halftime shows|halftime show]].<ref name=trib-goalofspectacle>{{cite news|title=Goal of spectacle colors NFL's thinking about Super Bowl halftime show|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/02/06/goal-of-spectacle-colors-nfls-thinking-about-super-bowl-halftime-show/|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=January 30, 2013|date=February 6, 2011}}</ref><ref name="lat-tacklessuperbowl">{{cite news|last1=Weinstien|first1=Steve|title=Fox Tackles Super Bowl With Sly Plan : Television: The 'rebel network' hopes to siphon off viewers from CBS with a halftime show of its own featuring the gang from 'In Living Color.'|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-01-25-ca-724-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=|date =25 January 1992 }}</ref>

Programs can also be counterprogrammed by a direct competitor in the same time slot, often resulting in the two programs attempting to attract viewers away from each other through [[publicity stunt]]s and other tactics. These tactics have most notably been seen in counterprogramming efforts surrounding [[professional wrestling]]: [[WWE]] was known for its conflicts with the rival [[Jim Crockett Promotions]], and the latter's corporate successor [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) in the 1980s and 1990s (such as the [[Monday Night War|Monday Night Wars]] between [[WWE Raw|''WWF Monday Night Raw'']] and ''[[WCW Monday Nitro]]''), and has since engaged in similar conflicts in the 2020s with the upstart [[All Elite Wrestling]] (such as the [[Wednesday Night Wars]] between ''[[AEW Dynamite]]'' and ''[[WWE NXT]]'',<ref name="bg-popsnonational">{{cite news |last1=Powers |first1=Martine |last2=Moskowitz |first2=Eric |date=June 15, 2013 |title=July 4 fireworks gala loses its national pop |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/06/15/national-spot-for-boston-pops-fireworks-show-not-airing-nationally-this-year/IVDJVRnru6Acdd5Hxl8gUP/story.html |access-date=June 16, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Holland |first=Jesse |date=2012-01-04 |title=On this date in WCW history: Tony Schiavone and the Finger Poke of Doom |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2012/1/4/2679983/wcw-tony-schiavone-raw-finger-poke-of-doom-mick-foley-kevin-nash-hulk-hogan-nwo |access-date=2019-09-29 |website=Cageside Seats |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Variety">{{Cite web |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |date=2019-08-20 |title=WWE's 'NXT' Moves to USA Network as Wrestling Competition Heats Up |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/wwe-nxt-usa-network-deal-1203307413/ |access-date=2019-10-04 |website=Variety |language=en}}</ref> as well as patterns of WWE deliberately scheduling supercards and specials on the same day as major AEW pay-per-views).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-26 |title=AEW News: Tony Khan reacts to WWE counter-programming |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/tony-khan-reacts-to-wwe-scheduling-events-against-aew/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Staszewski |first=Joseph |date=August 20, 2025 |title=WWE getting early ESPN start with John Cena-led Wrestlepalooza — going head-to-head with AEW |url=https://nypost.com/2025/08/20/sports/wwe-gets-early-espn-start-with-john-cena-led-wrestlepalooza/ |access-date=August 25, 2025 |work=[[New York Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Carey |first=Ian |date=April 2, 2025 |title=AEW All In: Texas early start time revealed, ROH Death Before Dishonor announced |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-all-in-texas-early-start-time-revealed-roh-death-before-dishonor-announced/ |access-date=April 2, 2025 |work=[[Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online]]}}</ref>

In some cases, broadcasters may attempt to adjust their schedules in order to avert attempts at counterprogramming, such as getting a slightly earlier time slot (in the hope that once viewers have become committed to a show they will not switch channels),<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> scheduling the competing program on a different night, or moving it to a different portion of the television season to avoid competition altogether.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/apr/03/the-voice-britains-got-talent-sheduling-wars|title=The Voice v Britain's Got Talent: scheduling wars recommence|last=Plunkett|first=John|date=April 3, 2013|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=November 13, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Staszewski |first=Joseph |date=August 20, 2025 |title=WWE getting early ESPN start with John Cena-led Wrestlepalooza — going head-to-head with AEW |url=https://nypost.com/2025/08/20/sports/wwe-gets-early-espn-start-with-john-cena-led-wrestlepalooza/ |access-date=August 25, 2025 |work=[[New York Post]]}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/sep/23/bbc-itv-costume-drama-battle|title=BBC pilots Tuesday night slot as it takes on ITV in the battle of the costume dramas|last=Brown|first=Maggie|date=September 23, 2012|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]/[[The Observer]]|access-date=November 13, 2017}}</ref>

===Dayparting=== {{Main article|Dayparting}}

'''Dayparting''' is the practice of dividing the [[day]] into several parts, during each of which a different type program is appropriate for that time is aired. [[Daytime television]] shows are most often geared toward a particular [[demographic]], and what the [[target audience]] typically engages in at that time.

===Stripping=== {{Main article|Strip programming}}

'''Stripping''' is the practice of running a single series in a consistent, daily time slot throughout the week, usually on weekdays. Daytime programs such as talk shows, [[variety show]]s, [[court show]]s, [[game show]]s, and [[soap opera]]s, are typically aired in a strip format. Outside of serial drama formats such as [[telenovela]]s where popular, strips are rarely used for first-run entertainment programming outside of limited [[Event television|events]].

Syndicated reruns of network programs that originally aired on a weekly basis are often aired as strips. Shows that are syndicated in this way generally have to have run for several seasons (the rule of thumb is usually [[100 episodes]]) in order to have enough episodes to run without significant [[Rerun|repeats]].

=== Marathons === {{Main|Marathon (media)}}

A '''marathon''' is the scheduling of a continuous, long-term block of programming as an event, usually devoted to airings of a single program or film franchise. When conducted using television series, a marathon may either consist of episodes aired in sequential order, or focus on episodes with specific themes (such as a holiday, or appearances by a specific actor or character).

Marathons are often aired on holidays (such as [[Syfy]]'s annual ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'' marathon on [[New Year's Day]], and [[Game Show Network]] airing a "Y2Play" marathon of [[game show]] [[Series finale|series finales]] on [[New Year's Eve]] in 1999, hosted by comedian and recurring ''[[Match Game]]'' panelist [[Charles Nelson Reilly]]),<ref>{{Cite web |title=SYFY Unveils Schedule for The Twilight Zone New Year's Marathon |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/twilight-zone-marathon-new-years-schedule-2020-2021-origina-syfy-rod-serling/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Linda |date=1999-12-06 |title=Game Show Rides Regis Bandwagon |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/game-show-rides-regis-bandwagon-147297 |access-date=2025-01-08 |website=Multichannel News |language=en}}</ref> as counterprogramming for major events airing on other channels,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=February 1, 2019 |title=How Not To Watch The Super Bowl: Sunday's TV Counterprogramming |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |url=https://deadline.com/2019/02/puppy-bowl-skip-super-bowl-wwe-counterprogramming-1202543854/ |access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref> to lead into new episodes of a series, or to commemorate milestones/events surrounding a specific series or franchise (such as an anniversary, or the network's acquisition of rights to broadcast a certain series or franchise).<ref name="Alexander">{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Bryan |title=Betty White's 'Celebration' features her last video message to fans, in theaters for 100th birthday |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/01/15/betty-white-celebration-final-video-100th-birthday-ryan-reynolds/9197135002/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="VH1Classic">{{cite web |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |date=January 14, 2015 |title=VH1 Classic To Run 433-Hour 'Saturday Night Live' Marathon |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/vh1-classic-to-run-433-hour-saturday-night-live-marathon-1201404896/ |access-date=November 19, 2016 |publisher=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=January 14, 2015 |title='Saturday Night Live' Mega-Marathon Set To Air On VH1 |language=en-US |work=Deadline |url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/saturday-night-live-mega-marathon-vh1-snl-rewind-1201349898/ |access-date=July 31, 2017}}</ref> Some marathons may focus on the roles of a specific entertainer; the death of [[Betty White]] resulted in several networks scheduling marathons of programming on or around January 17, 2022—which would have been White's 100th birthday—featuring her television appearances, such as Hallmark Channel airing a marathon of ''[[The Golden Girls]]'', and both [[Buzzr]] and Game Show Network airing marathons of her game show appearances<ref name="Alexander"/>

While longer marathons are typically reserved for major events, the popularization of [[binge-watching]] via streaming services in the 2010s led to many U.S. cable networks adopting marathon-like blocks of programs as their regular schedule.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-10 |title=The Effects of Binge TV and Why Weekly Episodes Shouldn't Go Out of Fashion |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/streaming-tv/weekly-episodes-vs-binge-watching/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=pastemagazine.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sabin |first=Sam |date=2018-11-06 |title=Most Young Adults Have an Appetite for Binge-Watching Shows |url=https://morningconsult.com/2018/11/06/most-young-adults-have-an-appetite-for-binge-watching-shows/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Morning Consult |language=en-US}}</ref> To compete with streaming services such as Netflix releasing entire seasons of programs at once rather than releasing them on a week-to-week basis, [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] premiered seasons of its [[Police procedural|police]] sitcom ''[[Angie Tribeca]]'' in a marathon format.''<ref name="tvline-renewed-2">{{Cite news |last=Webb |first=Matt |date=2015-11-05 |title=Rashida Jones' 'Angie Tribeca' Gets TBS Premiere Date, Renewed for Season 2 |work=TVLine |url=http://tvline.com/2015/11/05/angie-tribeca-renewed-season-2-tbs-rashida-jones/ |access-date=2016-05-19 |archive-date=2015-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106011338/http://tvline.com/2015/11/05/angie-tribeca-renewed-season-2-tbs-rashida-jones/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Season2">{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Katy |date=November 5, 2015 |title=Entire First Season of Angie Tribeca to Debut Via Marathon; Season 2 Ordered |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/05/entire-first-season-of-angie-tribeca-to-debut-via-marathon-season-2-ordered |access-date=November 8, 2015 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[J2 Global]]}}</ref>'' Similarly, [[free ad-supported streaming television]] (FAST) services often feature linear channels that are narrowly focused towards specific programs or franchises.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bridge |first=Gavin |date=2022-07-01 |title=The FAST Approach to Streaming Content: A Special Report |url=https://variety.com/vip-special-reports/the-fast-approach-to-streaming-content-a-special-report-1235302920/ |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Theming=== A broadcaster may temporarily dedicate all or parts of its schedule over a period of time to a specific theme. A well-known instance of a themed lineup is [[Discovery Channel]]'s annual "[[Shark Week]]".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fetters |first1=Ashley |date=August 13, 2012 |title=The Evolution of Shark Week, Pop-Culture Leviathan |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/08/the-evolution-of-shark-week-pop-culture-leviathan/261063/ |access-date=August 3, 2013 |magazine=[[The Atlantic]]}}</ref> Themed schedules are a common practice around major [[holiday]]s—such as [[Valentine's Day]], [[Halloween]], and [[Christmas]]—where channels may air episodes of programs, [[Television special|specials]], and films that relate to the holiday. Channels may also air marathons of their signature programs and film rights to target viewers who are on vacation.

The U.S. basic cable networks [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]] ([[25 Days of Christmas]], 31 Days of Halloween) and [[Hallmark Channel]] are known for broadcasting long-term holiday programming events. After experiencing success with its ''Countdown to Christmas'' event, Hallmark Channel adopted a practice of dividing its programming into similarly branded "seasons" year-round, which are accompanied by thematically appropriate original series and [[List of Hallmark Channel Original Movies|television films]]. This strategy was part of an effort to position the channel as "a year-round destination for celebrations", and is synergistic with [[Hallmark Cards]]' core [[greeting card]] and collectibles businesses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/leah-renee-chris-mcnally-dan-jeannotte-nathan-parsons-among-cast-hallmark-channel-countdown-to-summer-movie-event-1202588907/|title=Leah Renee, Chris McNally, Dan Jeannotte, Nathan Parsons & More Cast In Hallmark Channel's 'Countdown To Summer' Movie Event|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2019-04-08|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2019-04-29}}</ref><ref name="sl">{{cite news|last1=Yarborough|first1= Kaitlyn |title=Everything You Need to Know About Hallmark Channel in 2018|url=https://www.southernliving.com/culture/hallmark-channel-movies-shows-2018#summer-hallmark-channel-movies-shows-2018|access-date=February 21, 2018|work=Southern Living|publisher=Time, Inc.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Buckman|first1=Adam |title= Hallmark Upfront Emphasizes Family-Friendly Programming, Focus On Holidays|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/272491/hallmark-upfront-emphasizes-family-friendly-progra.html|access-date=February 20, 2018|work=Media Daily News|date=March 31, 2016|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/elf-christmas-vacation-make-holiday-magic-amc-1169159|title='Elf' and 'Christmas Vacation' Make Holiday Magic for AMC|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=13 December 2018|language=en|access-date=|first = Rick|last = Porter}}</ref>

[[Turner Classic Movies]] similarly airs multiple themed programming events throughout the year, including the "Star of the Month" and "Summer Under the Stars"—which both showcase the roles of a specific actor, and "31 Days of Oscar"—which showcases notable nominees and winners of the [[Academy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=And Just Like That… Mario Cantone Is Spending Summer Under the Stars at TCM|url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/and-just-like-that-mario-cantone-tcm-judy-garland-1235141380/|website=IndieWire|date=2025-07-27|access-date=2026-02-02|language=en-US|first=Rance|last=Collins}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1998-12-10 |title=All Oscar, all the time |url=https://variety.com/1998/more/news/all-oscar-all-the-time-1117489267/ |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=2014-01-31 |title=TV Review: ‘And the Oscar Goes to…’ |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/awards/tv-review-and-the-oscar-goes-to-1201080009/ |access-date=2026-02-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Barnes|first=Mike|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tcm-looney-tunes-new-home-1236483173/|title=TCM Becomes "Ongoing Home" of the Looney Tunes Library (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 26, 2026|access-date=January 26, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260126182422/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tcm-looney-tunes-new-home-1236483173/|archive-date=January 26, 2026|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Time slot=== A show's '''time slot''' or place in the schedule could be crucial to its success or failure; generally, earlier prime time slots have a stronger appeal towards family viewing and younger demographics, while later time slots generally appeal more towards older demographics. Some time slots, colloquially known as "[[graveyard slot]]s" or "death slots", are prone to having smaller potential audiences (with one such example in the U.S. being [[Friday night death slot|Friday nights]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/02/17/147035083/is-there-hope-in-friday-night-televisions-time-slot-of-death|title=Is There Hope In Friday Night Television's 'Time Slot Of Death'?|website=NPR.org|language=en|access-date=2019-09-09}}</ref> or insurmountable competition from highly rated series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://adage.com/article/special-report-tv-upfront/upfront-uproar-inside-dope-fall-tvs-5-toughest-time-slots/2172646|title=Upfront uproar: The inside dope on Fall TV's 5 toughest time slots|date=2019-05-20|website=Ad Age|language=en|access-date=2019-09-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/04/26/grimm-friday-night-death-slot-escape/|title='Grimm' and other shows that have escaped the Friday Night Death Slot|website=EW.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-09}}</ref>

Occasionally, some programs may be intentionally "[[Burning off|burned off]]" as filler in death slots or other lesser-viewed time slots in order to fulfill commitments to unsuccessful series.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=June|date=2013-05-21|title=Save Me Was NBC's Big Comedy Hope. Now They're Dumping It. Why?|url=https://slate.com/culture/2013/05/why-is-nbc-burning-off-its-anne-heche-comedy-save-me-in-the-summer.html|access-date=2021-03-27|website=Slate Magazine|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Adalian|first=Josef|date=2007-05-25|title=TV fires up summer burnoff|url=https://variety.com/2007/more/news/tv-fires-up-summer-burnoff-1117965857/|access-date=2021-03-27|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also== *[[Audience flow]] *[[Broadcast clock]] *[[Effects of time zones on North American broadcasting]] *[[Electronic media]] *[[Fall schedule]] *[[Interstitial program]] *[[Radio Computing Services]] – automated scheduling for radio stations *[[Timeshift channel]] *[[TV Guide]] *[[TV listings]]

==References== {{reflist}}

[[Category:Broadcasting]]