The Rating BattleThere is, of course, a lot of competition between broadcasting organizations. Most TV and radio networks want to increase the expense of other networks. Good ratings are especially important during prime-time or peak-time, the time of day, or slot, when most people watch TV. Slot also means any short period in broadcasting reserved for a specific purpose. High audience figures attract more advertising breaks between programmes. Commercials are also known as spots. The media often talk about ratings battles or ratings wars between networks when discussing competition in the industry. Answer the following questions about the text. 1. What is meant by “ratings” in the text? 2. Why do you think the competition between broadcasting organizations for “prime-time” or “peak-time” is so tough? 3. What is meant by “rating battles” or “ratings wars”? Text C Celebrities, as well as more ordinary people, complain about invasion of privacy or a breach of privacy when they feel their private lives are being examined too closely. They complain about intrusive reporting techniques like the use of paparazzi, photographers with long-lens cameras who take pictures without the subject’s knowledge or permission. Other intrusive methods include doorstepping, waiting outside someone’s house or office with microphone and camera in order to question them, and secretly recording conversations by bugging rooms with hidden microphones, or bugs.
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