America 1982-Chapter 263 - 4: The Program Approach of BT Television_3

Rick was talking about the "Prime Time Access Rule," which was a regulation established by the United States Federal Communications Commission in 1970 to limit the power of the three major television networks. This rule dictated that, during the prime time hours of 7:30 - 8:00 PM and 10:30 - 11:00 PM West Coast time (with the hours being one hour earlier on the East Coast), all American television stations affiliated with a network were prohibited from broadcasting programs from their parent company. They had to fill the time with either self-produced content or independently purchased programs, even if it meant interrupting an exciting prime-time drama produced by their parent company that wasn’t over yet; the show would have to switch to a self-produced program and only continue the drama after the prime time period had ended.

This regulation was designed to prevent the large television networks, like ABC and CBS, from completely monopolizing the television industry. If a massive network were to produce an expensive drama series and broadcast it simultaneously across dozens of its affiliates throughout the country, small independent stations wouldn’t stand a chance. So this rule was meant to provide these independent stations with an opportunity to compete, albeit a minimal one, with only a precious one hour window. Yet, if they were willing to create compelling self-produced shows, they could make audiences remember their station’s name within that hour.

"From 7:30 to 8:00 PM, we have one opportunity, and from 10:30 to 11:00 PM, we have another. I think for the first slot, we should come up with a show that caters to the desire to be on display, and for the second one, a more daring peep into private desires, executing a gradual buildup," he said.

Seeing Tommy wasn’t responding, Rick continued, "Let me give you an example. We could design an indoor reality show, perhaps named ’Battle of the Hairstyles’ or something. We could bring in some black hairstylists from California and let lower-class black people apply to be on the show. The stylists would help design their hairstyles, and the audience would vote for the most stylish look. Then we’d award some prize money to the stylist and their model partner. It’s a blend of the desire to show off and greed. Black people would be interested in discovering what’s considered a cool hairstyle through our program, and they’d be eager to sign up—after all, they’d get a free hairstyle from a stylist and even appear on TV."

"I’ve said you’re a genius at programming," Tommy mused thoughtfully after hearing Rick’s words, "That’s the spirit, a good concept gives people room to expand on."

"Following your concept, I think it could be even better with slight modifications. For example, how about turning it into a battle between East Coast and West Coast black hairstylists? We could create and exaggerate conflicts to draw attention and raise viewership. We could even spin off other battles, like tattoo artists or singers. If we have a solid concept, I’m sure there would be independent stations on the East Coast willing to talk to us about broadcasting rights and even collaborating. Imagine, the two stations appear to back different sides but are actually splitting the ad revenue. Plus, we could charge fees to the hairstylists, tattoo artists, and singers. Once the show gains enough fame, they would even need to pay us a certain amount to appear and represent the East Coast or West Coast." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Adding a regional rivalry is definitely more appealing, but it might lead to off-screen altercations, I mean, the issue with black street gangs on the East and West Coasts..." Rick mentioned to Tommy.

"That’s a societal security problem, what does it have to do with us? We’re just making a compelling show," Tommy said indifferently.

"Indeed, that’s not our issue to consider. If you think this idea is good, I can start preparing the initial work, including the proposal, team, budget, etc.," Rick said, seeing Tommy unconcerned and choosing not to delve further.

Tommy lit a cigarette, took a drag, and looked at Rick, "I’m actually thinking about producing a reality show that satisfies voyeurism for the first prime time slot. Maybe something like ’Me and All My Kids’ Mothers’? Sure, the name can change, but that’s the idea. We could find a black rapper or an actor or an NBA star who’s suddenly struck it rich, has a lot of women, kids by many different women, and showcase the life of this successful black man with his women and children. On the surface, it looks like it promotes family values, but in reality, we would script it to show black audiences just how luxurious life can be if you’re wealthy—surrounded by gorgeous women, a garage full of luxury cars, being able to support a dozen children with ease..."

"Why the first slot? It sounds like it could work well in the second slot too," Rick didn’t offer an opinion on the show concept, but curiously asked why Tommy wanted it in the first prime time slot.

Tommy exhaled a puff of smoke and said to Rick, "Do you know what show I’m planning to produce for the second slot? An informative show, possibly titled ’Almighty Gun Modding King’ or ’The First Gun in Life,’ something along those lines. We would bring in a few gun shop owners from California to educate the audience on how to modify firearms, where to buy inexpensive guns, how to repurpose decommissioned weapons, and the like."

"Although firearm-related educational programs are indeed very common, the way you arrange your programs... only a demon could come up with such a programming method..." Upon hearing Tommy’s words, Rick couldn’t help but widen his eyes:

"You’re essentially telling the lower-class black people, look, how wonderful life is after having money, with a dozen women lining up to bear your children and obey your every command, and then you tell them how to quickly make money... If the rate of black robbery increases, what good does that do for the television station?"

"Of course, it brings no benefit to the television station, only to the banks, as wealthy black people looking to avoid being robbed would deposit their money in the banks." Tommy looked at Rick with an innocent expression:

"Listen, I bring up this proposal because I feel we can’t just purely sell entertainment; we also need some educational programs that help our black friends gain knowledge and change their fates."

Rick looked at his boss, who was considerably younger than himself, and said feebly, "You’ve redefined what it means to help black people, to acquire knowledge, and to change fate. I even doubt whether the black television station you established is providing entertainment programs for black people or treating black people as entertainment programs."

"Speaking of which, I have also realized this problem. It seems like there’s too much focus on entertainment. We still need to have some humanitarian care in there. I have thought of a program idea that is warm and full of humanitarian care." Tommy seemed to suddenly remember an idea and spoke to Rick.

Rick looked at Tommy skeptically; during their short interaction, he felt that his boss might not have any idea what humanitarian care was: "What’s the idea?"

Tommy rubbed his hands excitedly: "We are going to arrange for private detectives to help children from single-parent black families find their fathers who are scattered across the United States. We will document the whole process. I want to see the bright smiles of the children and mothers, and see the tears of the fathers moved by the reunion."

"Are you sure those are the tears of being moved?" Rick looked at his boss’s clearly overexcited face with despair and asked.

Tommy said to Rick, "Who cares if it’s being moved or not? Anyway, the children and mothers will thank us, and the audience will take pleasure in their misfortune watching it at home."

"So, what’s the name of this program that’s going to send shivers down the spines of all black males who haven’t taken protective measures?" Rick nodded woodenly and asked.

Tommy announced the name of the program: "An exclusive program for black people, ’Finding Daddy in America’."