Glossary of Media Terms

"B" Counties – The classification of counties based on Census household counts and metropolitan proximity. "B" counties are counties not defined as A counties that have more than 85,000 households. The combined counties contain 30% of United States households.

Back Data – The period or periods of data prior to the most current period. Often referred to as Historical Data.

Barker Channel – Cable channel dedicated exclusively on a cable system to promoting Pay-Per-View (PPV) events.

Bandwidth – In a general sense, this term describes information-carrying capacity. It can apply to radio frequency signals, telephone or network wiring as well as system buses and monitors. In broadcasting parlance, this is a section of the radio frequency spectrum needed to transmit visually, aurally or both. The bandwidth of the average television channel is 6 million cycles per second (6 MHZ). In Internet parlance, it's also common to use bits or bytes per second (e.g., A T1 line has a bandwidth of 1.544 megabits per second).

Banners – Advertisements on a Web page that link to an advertiser's site. They are the most common unit of advertising on the Web.

Barter – The exchange of quantities of commercial time for merchandise or services.

Barter Syndication – A program distribution method in which the syndicator retains and sells a portion of the show's advertising time. In "cash plus barter," the syndicator also receives some money from the station on which the program airs.

Basic Cable – Channels received by cable subscribers at no extra charge, usually supported by advertising and small per-subscriber fees paid by cable operators.

Bicycling – A term used in syndication. The distribution of programs (film or videotape) to stations by means other than electronic transmission, such as mail.

Billboard – An announcement at the beginning or end of program naming the sponsor(s) or participating advertiser(s). Usually only 10 seconds.

Blackout – When a home sporting event is not carried by local TV because of contractual agreement or regulations imposed by a league.

Blanking Interval – Portion of TV signal used for transmission of words or text. Also called, Vertical Blanking Interval.

Block Programming – Series of programs with common demographic appeal scheduled one after another.

BMP – The standard Windows image format on DOS and Windows-compatible computers.

Bonus Spot – A commercial given to the advertiser without cost either to make up for undelivered audience (in this case they are called "Make Goods"), or as an inducement to buy additional spots.

Bookmark – A browser feature that allows a user to save a link to a Web page.

Break – The time between two programs or program segments used for announcements, news briefs, credits or commercials.

Break-up Value – Also called a "private market value," the estimated worth of a company when its assets are sold.

Bridging – Programming maneuver to damage a competing show by starting 30 minutes earlier, thus gaining the advantage of being in progress when the other show(s) begins.

Broadband Advertising – Advertising that is optimized for high-speed delivery (typically T-1 speed or greater).

Broadband Communications – Distribution network that carries a large number of channels spread out over a wide bandwidth. Bandwidth is defined as the numerical difference between the highest and lowest frequency in use.

Broadcast Coverage Area – The geographic area that receives a signal from an originating television station.

Broadcasting – Signals transmitted over-the-air for television or radio for use by the general public.

Browser – Also called a Web browser. A software application that allows users to locate and display information on the Web.

Buying Service – A firm primarily engaged in purchasing media.