II Broadcasting

Exercise 1. Use the words from the box in the sentences given below.

channel widescreen remote control video

dish portable TV aerial DVD recorder

cable screen subscription pay-per-view

1. Although television was invented in 1924, television sets really only became widely available in the 1950s. When you see one of those early sets, the first thing you notice is how small the _______ is.

2. One of the most recent developments is the _______ which allows you to see films in a way which conventional sets didn't.

3. A _______ is usually a small one which you can move from room to room or even take with you in your caravan.

4. _______ developed using various different formats including VHS and PAL. With the advent of digital television, it won't be long before most people replace their old system with a state-of-the-art _______.

5. You can't buy a television or video today without a _______. You never need to move from your sofa.

6. If you've got_______ television, you no longer need an _______ on your roof, but if you want satellite television, then you need a _______.

7. You have to pay a monthly _______ charge if you've got cable or satellite.

8. _______ is when you pay a one-off charge to watch a particular programme.

9. Every cable package comes with at least one shopping _______.

Exercise 2. Use the words from the box in dialogues given below.

series interview programme episode

serial guests repeats highlights

1. What are you doing later? – I'm staying in tonight. There's a _______on that I really want to watch.

2. Is there anything worth watching on the telly tonight? – No, it's all _______ again. Why can't they make some new programmes for a change?

3. So, why do you want to watch this programme so much? – They're going to do an _______ with Brad Pitt about his new film.

4. I really don't like chat shows very much. – No, nor do I. The _______ only come on to sell their latest film or their new book.

5. Is the Chelsea match on live tonight? – No, they're just showing the _______ later in the evening.

6. I really miss 'Friends' now that it's not on. I used to watch it every week. – Well, you don't need to worry. There's a new _______ starting next month.

7. Have you seen they've made Oliver Twist into a TV _______ ? – Yes, it's on every Sunday for the next twelve weeks – the first _______ is this Sunday.

Exercise 3. Television.

Agree or disagree with the following statements. Give your reasons.

1. Our life is impossible without TV.

2. Only housewives watch soap operas.

3. There should be more advertising on TV.

4. There should be at least 15 programmes available free of charge.

5. There’s no need in news and sports channels.

A Television in Great Britain

The most popular entertainment in British home life today is television. In London people have a choice between four TV channels: BBC1, BBC2 and two commercial channels. The BBC is financed by payments which are made by all people who have TV-sets. There is no advertising on any BBC programme. On the contrary, commercial television which is called ITV gets its money from advertising. The programmes on this channel are financed by different companies, which, however, do not have anything to do with the arrangement or content of these programmes. They just “buy time” to advertise their products and the viewers of ITV have to watch advertisements of petrol, washing machines, soap and many other items which they do not require between and during programmes.

Different types of TV programmes can be seen in Great Britain. News is broadcast at regular intervals and there are panel discussions of current events, both national and international. Operas, ballets, music concerts and variety shows are presented at various times. Broadcasts for schools are produced on five days of the week during school hours. In the late afternoon and early evening TV stations show special programmes for children. In the evenings and at weekends there are broadcasts of sport events. A large part of TV evening time is often occupied by serials – films which appear on television in parts daily or at intervals.

The channels of British television keep people informed about current events, the latest achievements in science and culture and offer some programmes which are both informative and entertaining. But they also offer a lot of trivial programmes the poor quality of which is criticized by viewers. There is also a serious concern about negative effects of some TV shows in which scenes of violence and crime are presented.

• Say what you have learned about:

  1. the arrangement of TV programmes on different channels;

  2. various programmes which are shown on TV in Great Britain.

• Think and answer.

  1. Why are many programmes of poor quality shown on British TV?

  2. What negative effects have scenes of violence and crime on TV viewers?

  3. Is it pleasant or not for a viewer when a programme stops for advertisements? Why?