The rec.arts.tv FAQ:

The Frequently Asked Questions List:

Last updated:  August 10, 2006.
This version:  8.00aa

What follows in this section are the answers to the 25 (or so) most common questions, about television and TV-related subjects, asked over the years in the usenet newsgroup rec.arts.tv:

1.0) MOST COMMON QUESTIONS:

1. "Where can I find the list of the Nielsen Ratings on the net?"

1. "Where can I find the Nielsen Ratings for syndicated/daytime/latenight/cable shows?"
2. "Where can I find the full list of the Nielsen Ratings in print?"
3. "How do ratings/Nielsens work?"
2. "Which TV shows have been cancelled, or have been put on hiatus, this season, and which shows have been renewed for next season?"
   (i.e. The TV Shows Status Page for the 2006-2007 TV season)
• "What shows have moved timeslots this season?"
• "What are the new mid-season replacement shows for this season?"
• See also: The TV Commentary Page
3. "Where can I find TV schedule information of the Net?"
• "Where can I find old TV schedules for previous seasons archived on the net?"
4. "What else has [actor] been in?"
• "Where have I see [actor] before?"
• "Who played the part of [name] in [TV show/movie]?"
• "What was the cast of [TV show/movie]?"

2.0) REC.ARTS.TV, THE INTERNET & TV:

1. "Where can I find resources on the Internet for [show(s)]?"
1. "Where can I find a newsgroup or mail list for [show]?"
2. "Where can I find a WWW/Web site for [show]?"
3. "Where can I find an episode guide/FAQ for [show] (via FTP)?"
2. "I've written a TV episode guide/FAQ, and I want to get it up on the net. What do I do?!"
3. "I've seen some abbreviations for TV shows in r.a.tv/other newsgroups, and I can't figure out what they stand for. What are they?"
1. Abbreviations for shows presently on in the U.S.
2. Abbreviations for U.S. soap operas
3. Abbreviations for classic and old shows in the U.S.

3.0) GENERAL TV QUESTIONS:

1. "What is the mail/E-mail address for [network]?"
• "What is the mail address for supporting [newtork's shows] (i.e. what is the address of the President of the Network)?"
• "What is the mail/E-mail address for [station]?"
2. "What is a (broadcast) network?"
3. "Where did the term 'channel' come from?"
4. "What is a 'hiatus'? What is 'cancellation'?"
5. "What is 'Prime Time'?"
6. "What is 'sweeps'?"
7. "What is syndication?"
8. "HDTV/Digital TV: When? How? What's it all about?"
9. "What's the deal with these TV (content) ratings/labels? What are they, and how does it all work? And The V-Chip: what is it, when and how will it work?"
10. "Where can I get back issues of 'TV Guide'"
11. "What is 'Broadcasting & Cable Magazine'?"
• "What is 'Epi-Log Magazine'?"

4.0) TV SHOW HISTORY/TRIVIA:

1. "OK. What are currently the longest running U.S. Primetime TV shows on the air, right now?"
• "What are the longest running U.S. TV shows of all time?"
1. "What are the longest running 1-hour Primetime dramas of all time (in the U.S.)?"
2. "What are the longest running 30-minute Primetime comedies (sitcoms) of all time (in the U.S.)?"
• "What (fictional, weekly) TV series have aired the most episodes?" (referral)
2. "What Primetime TV shows have had the most spin-offs?"
3. "Which (Primetime) TV shows have had (the most) switches between (broadcast) TV networks?"
4. The List of the TV Shows in the 50 States of the U.S.A. (& Wash., DC)
• The List of the TV Shows in the various regions of California
• The List of the TV Shows in the various regions of New York state
• The List of the TV Shows in the various regions of Florida
• "Which TV Shows Have Been Set in which of the (roughly) 50 Largest U.S. Cities?"
5. Historical: Highest-rated TV Shows (single-airing) - for starters, go here and here...
• Highest-rated TV Series Finales
6. "Which TV actors have starred in the most different TV shows?"
7. [more? stay tuned...]