TV schedules, also known as TV listings or guides, are printed or electronic timetables for television programs. They are meant to provide the consumer with information about the daily broadcasts, indicating on what channel and at what time they will be available. These schedules are available regardless of the type of distributor – terrestrial, free-to-air, cable, satellite, or MVPD (Multichannel Video Programming Distributor). Such listings have been around since the early days of television. Understanding how we watch TV At its inception, television broadcasting was the only way we could watch TV shows. A monumental shift began with the introduction of video recorders in the 1980s that transformed viewership forever. Today, we have multiple avenues for viewing and consuming TV shows, including DVD box sets, recordings, or online. However, it is still essential for broadcasters and TV networks to understand and program live TV in set blocks. For instance, audiences generally prefer to watch different shows over the weekend than during the week. Based on these viewership patterns, several strategies for live TV broadcasting were developed. Some popular ones include: Teasers and trailers Sneak-peek videos create more anticipation for a program that will air later in the day. Counterprogramming Scheduling a different type of show (as opposed to competitors) deliberately, such as programming sport against a cookery program on a rival network.