PROBLEMS OF TELEVISION PROGRAMME PRODUCTION A STUDY OF N.T.A CHANNEL 12, UYO

PROBLEMS OF TELEVISION PROGRAMME PRODUCTION A STUDY OF N.T.A CHANNEL 12, UYO

CHAPTER ONE

PROBLEMS AND ITS SETTINGS

1.1   Introduction

Communication is basically the basic tool for human survival and growth. Life is fraught with so many problems and uncertainties that man needs communication to see his way through them in order to give meaning to his life. Communication is the most important feature in the environment and the society. Hence, every existence depends on it.

Television is a powerful medium of communication. It combines sound, vision and motion and this gives it a distinction. Television is the greatest man made communication mechanism and the most influential of all media. It is tremendous in its appeal to the people because of it intimacy which comes from its being small and within the home. It brings the world into the home of viewer. Its appeals also lies in the immediacy which gives the viewer the impression and an indescribable feeling that the programmed he is watching is ‘living’ and actual reality and is taking place the very moment he is watching it. This holds a special attraction to the viewer, captivating his attention and giving him a sense of participation. Television is not just mere transmission device but according to Akpan (1988:13)

Television is more than just other public resources……. It pumps into our brains an unending stream of information, opinion, moral values and aesthetic taste. It cannot be a neutral influence………..

In doing this, television incorporates various types of programmes such as talk programmes (News, documentary, panel discussion, sports), musical programmes, drama, quiz etc.

However, programmes must reflect intelligent planning, good thinking and purpose to the so called and this means they must go through the production stages which involves a great number of people and machines.  Programmes production is a creative process involving teamwork among various people and rather complex equipment. Apart from the co-ordination of a team of production specialist concerned with translating the idea into a television programme, television production revolves directly or indirectly around every person working in a television station.

As a result of the various interactions among a great number of people and machines, there are bound to be problems that affect the production as well as the quality of the programmes. Such problems come in forms of:

1. Technical Facilities: Transmitter, studio, camera, lights audio, microphones, minor, tapes etc.
2. Man power Resources: Lack of trained or qualified production specialist and insufficient number of this.
3. Finance: Lack of funds.
4. Transportation: Non availability of vehicles and the few existing ones in dilapidated conditions.
5. Electric power: Incessant power (PHCN) failure and non-availability of a good power generating set (plant). However, these problems are not unconnected with the entire management and the various divisional units it present. These are administration, finance, programmes, and news, commercial and engineering division.

This set up is responsible for providing the right atmosphere and facilities to aid production. Production specialists have to look into this group for the supply of their production needs. Moreover, this is a group and not individuals and because production involves teamwork, in the course of the production process, problems are bound to arise that invariably affect production and the quality of programmes.

The light of this, there is therefore need to assess problems of television programme production. Consequently, this study is an attempt to assess the problems of Television programme production, using N. T. A. channel 12, Uyo as a study.

1.2   Statement of the problem

Television broadcasting is a communication process both human and material resources. These resources are integrated as a team to accomplish the desired goal which is effective broadcasting. The responsibilities in television production process are shared among the various divisions namely: Administration, finance, programmes, news, commercial and engineering.

In the course of the production process, there are bound to be (technical) problems arising from the use of studio and the various equipment, man power problems involving management of human resources, management of finance, transportation, electric power etc. these problems affect the overall output of the station, which is the quality of programmes.

Although, it is obvious that problems exist, it is not certain what the nature of these problems is and which problems are encountered by NTA channel 12, Uyo in particular. The question, there is:

• What are the major problems of television programmes production in NTA channel 12, Uyo?