Television blackout is a term used to describe a situation when a live sports or entertainment event is not broadcasted on television due to contractual or legal restrictions. The word 'television' is pronounced /ˈtɛlɪvɪʒ(ə)n/ (tel-uh-vizh-uh n) with the stress on the second syllable, and 'blackout' is pronounces /ˈblækˌaʊt/ (blak-out) with the stress on the first syllable. With this phonetic transcription, one can understand the exact pronunciation of the word and its stress points, making it easier to spell correctly.
A television blackout refers to the intentional restriction or prohibition of broadcasting television programming to a specific geographical area. This restriction can be imposed by network authorities, sports leagues, or government agencies, usually due to contractual or regulatory reasons. During a television blackout, viewers within the affected area are unable to watch live broadcasts of certain programs or events on their televisions.
The primary objective of a television blackout is to protect the local market and incentivize attendance at live events. For instance, in the context of sports, blackouts are commonly employed to encourage ticket sales by preventing television viewers from watching games that are taking place within a specific radius of the stadium or arena. This restriction pushes fans to purchase tickets and attend the games in person, thereby boosting ticket revenues for the teams and leagues.
Television blackouts can be temporary or ongoing, depending on the circumstances. Temporary blackouts may occur on a game-by-game basis, aiming to increase attendance for specific matches or events. Ongoing blackouts are more common and are often based on predetermined geographic territories, where a local broadcast station has exclusive rights to air certain programs or events in their designated market.
In recent years, with the rise of streaming platforms and alternative viewing options, the prevalence of television blackouts has decreased. Nonetheless, television blackouts remain a strategic tool used by broadcasting entities and sports leagues to promote live attendance and protect local markets.
The word "television blackout" is actually a compound term made up of two words: "television" and "blackout". Here is the etymology of both words:
1. Television:
The word "television" is derived from the Greek roots "tele-" meaning "far" and "vision" meaning "sight". It was coined in the early 20th century to describe the transmission and reception of moving images and sound over a distance.
2. Blackout:
The word "blackout" can be traced back to the 19th century and has its roots in two separate words: "black" and "out". "Black" refers to the absence of light or color, while "out" means to turn off or extinguish. In general, "blackout" refers to a temporary loss or absence of light or power.