Loud TV Commercials – Are They A Thing Of The Past? Pop. Culture. Trivia.

November 15, 2010

Mr. Pop History – What’s amazing is – this problem dates all the way back to the 1950′s. Broadcasters always, always denied the accusation. Just a few weeks ago – back in September – Congress finally did something about it. So – let’s see if it happens. It is quite annoying. Here’s an article from a radio/TV engineering authority:

“The United States Senate unanimously passed a bill late Wednesday, September 27th, to require television stations and cable companies to keep commercials at the same volume as the programs they interrupt. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, requires the FCC to adopt its recommendations as regulations within a year and begin enforcing them a year later. The House of Representatives had already passed similar legislation. Before it can become law, minor differences between the two versions have to be worked out when Congress returns to Washington after the November 2nd elections.”

By Mr Pop History | Posted in Pop Culture History, Pop Culture Trivia, This Week In History | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

The .tv Internet Extension… Pop. Culture. History.

August 13, 2010

From Brien S – Mr. Pop – Internet address extension .tv was supposed to a boom for TV stations and networks, but, I haven’t seen it as much as I once did.

Mr. Pop History – For the TV industry – .tv just didn’t take off. The industry seemed excited back in 2000 when, the the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu cut a deal with a Net firm just so the world could use its .tv country code.

Tuvalu was paid $1 million a quarter in a deal with Idealab. In fact, that deal still exists, but I’m not sure if Idealab profited.

As far as the TV industry? There’s just no doubt, .com rules. KNBC-TV/Los Angeles use to use .tv, but it went away several years ago and replaced with a .com address.

By Mr Pop History | Posted in 2000's, Pop Culture History | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Start Your Own Week-By-Diary…. With Our Pop Culture History Weeks.

June 21, 2010

From Steve J – Mr. Pop – TV movies have or are written for 7 acts. Theater movies are written for only three acts. Why?

Mr. Pop History – TV is that way in order to accommodate commercials and station breaks.
And, TV movies on commercial networks are exactly 96 minutes. And remember – each act has to have its sort-of cliffhanger – especially the top-of-the-hour. Now – movies on HBO and other pay nets – they’re written as three acts. The second act is always the hardest to write.

By Mr Pop History | Posted in 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, Pop Culture History | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

The New Mr. Pop Culture Is Here at www.mrpopculture.com. The World’s Most Comprehensive News, Pop and Trends Week-By-Week Destination. Pop Culture History At Its Best!

June 8, 2010

Ask Mr. Pop History – From David M. Mr. Pop – where do you see radio and television, as we know them now – in say 10 years?

Mr. Pop – I see the most popular radio and television programs going to the app mode. Just click an app and you’ll get your favorite program. The challenge tomorrow will be to get the message out. It’s easier with fewer outlets – such as what we have now. The Internet has no limits – so – it’s going to be a challenge to launch new programs – and, to get the word out.

I see AM radio going away. Each year, it’s becoming more insignificant. In 10 years – It’ll be a complete has-been.

TV stations – they’ll still be here, but I believe they’ll be secondary to what’s on the Net. New shows will be distributed the same way – and advertising sold through current station relationships and networks – just that delivery/distribution will be on the Net. Mr Pop Culture Icon Smaller

By Mr Pop History | Posted in Pop Culture History | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

When did a TV network first air original programming over the Internet?

August 31, 2009

homicide-life-on-the-streetFrom Jimmy W – When did a TV network first air original programming over the Internet?

From Jimmy W – When did a TV network first air original programming over the Internet?

Mr. Pop History – I’m going to take a guess here and say – the year was 1997 when NBC debuted “Homicide: the Second Shift,” a spin-off of its “Homicide: Life on the Street.” The spin-off ran only on the Internet at NBC.com.

By Mr Pop History | Posted in 1990's | Tagged | Comments (0)

Your website says that MTV founder Bob Pittman wound-up running “Century 21” – a real estate company! My question – did this man have any professional failures?

August 31, 2009

bobpittmanFrom Pat C – Hello Mr. Pop. Your website says that MTV founder Bob Pittman wound-up running “Century 21” – a real estate company! My question – did this man have any professional failures?

Mr. Pop History – He tried to launch a heavy-metal radio network called “Radio Lisa” but it never got off the ground. And, he had a failed TV production company and both of these were after he left MTV.

By Mr Pop History | Posted in Various Decades | Tagged | Comments (0)

I remember the point-counter-point segment on “60 Minutes” but fail to remember the participants?

August 31, 2009

1970's-60-MinutesFrom Matt P – Mr. Pop – I remember the point-counter-point segment on “60 Minutes” but fail to remember the participants? Thank you.

Mr. Pop History – In its history – “60 Minutes” had two commentary periods. The first one was with Shana Alexander and James Kirkpatrick during the 1970’s. The other – was very short-lived – and lasted less than six months – around 1996. It was supposed to be a “hipper” version of the earlier edition. There were three – Molly Ivins, P.J. O’Rourke and Stanley Crouch, but producers panicked when “Dateline NBC” was scheduled opposite “60 Minutes” and they were out.

By Mr Pop History | Posted in 1970's | Tagged | Comments (0)

Didn’t Hanna-Barbera – the cartoon makers, try to make a go at pop music?

August 31, 2009

Pebbles-and-Bam-BamFrom Jay J – Didn’t Hanna-Barbera – the cartoon makers, try to make a go at pop music? When? This is one of my favorite sites.

Mr. Pop History – And thanks! They did with “Hanna-Barbera” records. The year was 1965 when they released records by Danny Hutton (later of 3 Dog Night), the Guillotines and separately – they tried to cash-in on their own cartoons. Here’s their most prominent record release – back in October of 1965,when “The Flintstones” aired on ABC-TV Friday nights. Pebbles and Bam Bam sang this song – then HB hurried this release – “Let The Sun Shine In.”

By Mr Pop History | Posted in 1960's | Tagged | Comments (0)