Many years ago during my radio days, I would substitute host for a popular oldies show "Sunday Night At The Oldies." This was late 1980's and we were still spinning actual records for our music, as compared with digital music libraries that stations have in place today.
When we set up the turntable, the rpm's were actually slightly excellerated. It may have been explained as to why, but I honestly don't remember the reason. As I read today's issue of The Wall Street Journal I am reminded of this practice and may have found out why this was done.
Forward (pun intended) to today, and cable channels are speeding up their programming to fit more commercials. As the cable world continues to fragment, ratings have dropped meaning to delivery the needed impressions, cable networks are having to deliver more ads.
It has been common practice to eliminate or at least limit intro and ending credits. Law and Order normally has a 1 minute 45 second intro, but it is only 24 seconds on cable today. But now programmers are playing with the speed of the actual show.
Does Jerry Seinfeld sound a little high pitched on TBS? Probably so, as they are using this technology to speed up the episode. My favorite example of this is with the Wizard of Oz. The munchkins are already with squeeky high voices. They are using the technology for this movie, making the voices even higher.
As the audience / programming revolution continues, the business side of programming will have to continue getting creative to squeeze out the audience and the revenue necessary.
A couple stories on this topic:
http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/speeded.asp
http://www.wsj.com/articles/cable-tv-shows-are-sped-up-to-squeeze-in-more-ads-1424301320 story is behind the WSJ paywall.
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