One of the effects expected by the change of regime of concession of spaces to the concession of channels in Colombia in the middle of the last decade, was the flexibilization of schedules. It was known that, with the new scheme, also made possible by new technologies of broadcast, channels could adapt their programming to the changing demand and break the uncomfortable dictatorship of the grill. Newscasts can now disrupt regular programming to transmit informative flashes or extend the duration of the newscast if any special event so requires.
However, the flexibility of schedules, which has led to disorder and unacceptable excesses in programming, causes repeated complaints from users and calls for attention from the National Television Commission.
A similar situation is experienced in Argentina, where the Federal Broadcasting Committee (Comfer) recently demanded from the channels the fulfillment of the programming schedules as a way to respect rights of consumers.
Failure to comply with schedules on the part of the channels, it has to do clearly with the importance of minute-by-minute ratings and voracious competition between private channels. The strategy of issuing with an eye on the other channels and to change the schedule according to the programs of the others, arises as a measure to avoid zapping and consequent loss of the captive audience.
However, these tactics they have a technological factor by being made possible, in part, by constant monitoring of the other channels and flexibility offered by playout servers to be rescheduled to flight, only a few seconds before the event.
A third factor that affects this trend towards non-compliance with schedules is relates to the legal loopholes that exist in some countries and that prevent the regulatory bodies in charge of sanctioning the Offenders.
In other countries, discussions on the schedule they have focused on the invasion of warnings and programs with adult content in children's bands and Family. I'm not sure if this is part of a strategy. premeditated within the struggle for the rating or an oversight of the in charge of programming.
The underlying problem is vision in the short term imposed by the fight for ratings. The point additional that we can snatch from the competitor by lengthening a The programme is a Pyrrhic victory. The viewer, ultimately, prefer the predictable option, programs other than artificially elongated; that have a beginning and an end.
We cannot use the advantages that they offer us the new technologies to disrespect the consumers. Otherwise, we will continue to lose them.
