Broadcasting and Programing
Steiner's Model
Steiner's model on programming preferences and broadcasting choices tries to
show how stations come to the conclusion of what programming to show. This model
goes on the assumption that broadcasters will go after the largest audience
possible.
Going on the information given about this hypothetical situation, we can predict
what each of the four stations in this market will show.
There are three distinct audience preferences. The first groups of 1200 viewers
has a first programming preference of sitcoms and a second choice of soaps. The
second group numbers 900 viewers and would pick cops first and soaps second. The
third group, 500 viewers, likes soaps first and sitcoms and their second choice.
This model says that the audience will watch their first choice first and then
the second choice, but only is their first choice is not available.
Let's say that the Federal Communications Commission licenses station A in their
market. Looking at the viewer preferences, station A would start to broadcast
soaps. By show soaps, it would capture a market of 2600 viewers. All viewers
would watch because soaps is their first choice or it is their second choice but
their first is not available.
The FCC then offers a license to station B. After examining the audience sizes,
stations B also starts to show soaps. By programming to this audience, it splits
the soaps market with station A and both of them have 1300 viewers.
Station B does not pick another programming because no other choice can offer
more than 1300 viewers.
When the FCC offers a license to station C, things will definitely change in
this ...