Event television (sometimes used in verb form as the

buzzword A buzzword is a word or phrase, new or already existing, that becomes popular for a period of time. Buzzwords often derive from technical terms yet often have much of the original technical meaning removed through fashionable use, being simply ...

"eventize") is a

television network A television broadcaster or television network is a telecommunications network for the distribution of television show, television content, where a central operation provides programming to many television stations, pay television providers or ...

marketing Marketing is the act of acquiring, satisfying and retaining customers. It is one of the primary components of Business administration, business management and commerce. Marketing is usually conducted by the seller, typically a retailer or ma ...

concept which arose in the early 2010s and is characterized by a shift in priorities towards enticing audiences to watch programming immediately as it is

broadcast Broadcasting is the data distribution, distribution of sound, audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), ...

. This is largely in response to the tendency of modern audiences to time shift programming ( DVR) or view using on-demand streaming services, which has produced a steady decline in live viewership ratings.

Criteria

Live episodes have long been a staple of television programming, but the shift towards event television has greatly accelerated development of new styles of "DVR-proof" programming and new methods of marketing in response to the growth of these new technologies. Networks are focusing on more live entertainment and investing into more sports programming, which are less attractive to DVR users, but excite and engage live viewers. Scripted programs have adopted the strategy as well, by making more frequent use of sudden, unannounced plot twists or major character deaths. "It's important to keep your fans engaged", CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler said. "You keep eventizing your entire season." Event television often makes use of interactive ways to encourage live viewer participation, such as voting for contestants and results shows,

interactive media Interactive media refers to digital experiences that dynamically respond to user input, delivering content such as Text (literary theory), text, images, animations, video, Sound, audio, and even Artificial intelligence, AI-driven interactions. O ...

such as

mobile app A mobile application or app is a computer program or software application designed to run on a mobile device such as a smartphone, phone, tablet computer, tablet, or smartwatch, watch. Mobile applications often stand in contrast to desktop appli ...

viral marketing Viral marketing is a business strategy that uses existing social networks to promote a product mainly on various social media platforms. Its name refers to how consumers spread information about a product with other people, much in the same way th ...

, or

hashtag A hashtag is a metadata tag operator that is prefaced by the hash symbol, ''#''. On social media, hashtags are used on microblogging and photo-sharing services–especially Twitter and Tumblr–as a form of user-generated tagging that enable ...

s. Prior to the 2010s, the phrase "event television" was used to describe live broadcasts covering certain ''events'' in real time, such as pageants, sports,

breaking news Breaking news, also called late-breaking news, a special report, special coverage, or a news flash, is a current issue that warrants the interruption of a scheduled broadcast in order to report its details. News broadcasters also use the term ...

, or awards presentations. Starting in the 1960s, it was also used to describe certain "must watch" programs created for television which significantly altered viewer habits for a short time, drawing them to a particular channel for a night or even "emptying the streets and pubs" during their duration.

List of shows and specials labeled as "event television"

* " Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" - the final episode of '' M*A*S*H'' * '' The Day of the Doctor'' – The 50th anniversary special of

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series, created by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber and Donald Wilson (writer and producer), Donald Wilson, depicts the adventures of an extraterre ...

which was simulcast globally in November 2013. * ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

'' * ''

The X Factor ''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for '' Pop Idol'' (2001–200 ...

'' * '' Must-See TV'' Thursday primetime television lineup * ''

The Jay Leno Show ''The Jay Leno Show'' is an American prime time talk show hosted by Jay Leno that was broadcast by NBC from September 14, 2009, to February 9, 2010. The series was a spiritual successor to his previous late-night talk show ''The Tonight Show wit ...

'' * ''

Strictly Come Dancing ''Strictly Come Dancing'' (commonly referred to as ''Strictly'') is a British dance contest show in which celebrities partner with professional dancers to compete in mainly Ballroom dance, ballroom and Latin dance, Latin dance. Each couple is ...

'' * '' 24: Live Another Day'' * '' Twin Peaks: The Return'' * ''

The Sound of Music Live! ''The Sound of Music Live!'' is an American television special that was originally broadcast by NBC on December 5, 2013. Directed by Rob Ashford and Beth McCarthy-Miller, produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and written by Austin Winsberg, t ...

'' (December 2013) * ''Live from Space: Lap of the Planet'' (March 2014) Most-Watched Television Finales: Top 20 Of All Time - GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT
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References

{{reflist Television terminology Live broadcasting Television advertising 1960s in television 2000s in television 2010s in television

Criteria

List of shows and specials labeled as "event television"

See also

References