History Main / BoringBroadcaster

* The quiz show ''Series/RemoteControl'' had a category known as "Public Television", which featured [[UnexpectedlyObscureAnswer difficult questions involving subjects such as science]], as opposed to music and pop culture like the rest of the show. The host's spiel for the category claims that because only 8% of people actually watch public television, you won't know the answer. However, there were moments when [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPi2GMMbzTE a contestant correctly answered something from this category.]] Of course, the contestant in the linked clip couldn't name the lead singer of Music/{{Queen}}: you win some, you lose some.

* Parodied in the late-1990's ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' sketch "The Delicious Dish", which focused on an eponymous cooking show on NPR. The hosts, Margaret Jo [=McCullen=] and Teri Rialto (Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon) speak in unenergetic monotone voices, and discuss mundane, cooking-related topics with their guests. They don't break character, even if they are contributing to a barrage of [[DoubleEntendre double entendres]] about a [[Creator/AlecBaldwin chef]]'s [[BallsGag "Schweddy Balls"]] (as heard in the most famous edition of the sketch, which is almost always featured in the annual ''SNL'' Christmas ClipShow).

* Parodied in the late-1990's ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' sketch "The Delicious Dish", which focused on an eponymous cooking show on NPR. The hosts, Margaret Jo [=McCullen=] and Teri Rialto (Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon), discuss mundane, cooking-related topics with their guests, and sound perpetually bored whilst doing so. They don't break character, even if they are contributing to a barrage of [[DoubleEntendre double entendres]] about a [[Creator/AlecBaldwin chef]]'s [[BallsGag "Schweddy Balls"]] (as heard in the most famous edition of the sketch, which is almost always featured in the annual ''SNL'' Christmas ClipShow).

Public radio and television, especially the U.S. Creator/{{NPR}} and Creator/{{PBS}} networks, tend to delve into more serious topics (such as education, politics, science, the arts, classical and/or jazz music, and the occasional pledge drive) than the average commercial broadcaster. Similarly, the "soft adult contemporary" radio format tries to be [[LighterAndSofter inoffensive in its content]] to appeal to workplaces and an older demographic, focusing primarily on "soft rock" and ballads, new and old (although this is now a stereotype, as many Soft AC stations are subverting this by incorporating more upbeat yet "safe" fare).

It's no surprise that the these types of broadcasters are often a target for satire, stereotyping them as having little to no viewers due to their reputation or quality, attempting to stay relevant with a RatingsStunt or two, outright begging for money because they have NoBudget, or portraying a character as having an interest in shows on such channels just to prove how much of an intellectual they are.

* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' had a recurring sketch in the late 1990's known as "The Delicious Dish", which focused on an eponymous cooking show on NPR. The hosts, Margaret Jo [=McCullen=] and Teri Rialto (Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon), discuss mundane, cooking-related topics, and sound perpetually bored whilst doing so. They don't break character, even if they are contributing to a barrage of [[DoubleEntendre double entendres]] about a chef's [[BallsGag "Schweddy Balls"]] (as heard in the most famous edition of the sketch, which is almost always featured in the annual ''SNL'' Christmas ClipShow special).

* Parodied in a cold open on ''Series/TheLateShowWithStephenColbert'', which introduced [=C-SPAN3=] as "the channel you find by sitting on your remote."

* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' had a recurring sketch in the late 1990's known as "The Delicious Dish", which focused on an eponymous cooking show on NPR. The hosts, Margaret Jo [=McCullen=] and Teri Rialto (Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon), discuss mundane, cooking-related topics, and sound perpetually bored whilst doing so. They don't break character, even if they are contributing to a barrage of [[DoubleEntendre double entendres]] about a chef's [[BallsGag "Schweddy Balls"]] (said edition of the sketch is frequently featured in the show's annual Christmas ClipShow special).

Public radio and television, especially the U.S. Creator/{{NPR}} and Creator/{{PBS}} networks, tend to delve into more serious topics (such as education, politics, science, the arts, classical and/or jazz music, and the occasional pledge drive) than the average commercial broadcaster. Similarly, the "soft adult contemporary" radio format tries to be [[LighterAndSofter inoffensive in its content]] to appeal to workplaces and an older demographic, focusing primarily on "soft rock" and ballads, new and old.

* Played with in ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' episode "The Vengeance Formulation". Sheldon is interviewed over the phone by NPR's ''Science Friday'' on a "recent so-called discovery of magnetic monopoles in spin ices", so they could [[RatingsStunt "goose the ratings" for pledge week with something controversial]]. [[SitcomArchNemesis Barry Kripke]] [[HeliumSpeech pumps helium]] into the office where Sheldon was doing the interview from. HilarityEnsues.

* The quiz show ''Series/RemoteControl'' had a category known as "Public Television", which featured [[UnexpectedlyObscureAnswer difficult questions involving subjects such as science]], as opposed to music and pop culture like the rest of the show. The host's spiel for the category claims that because only 8% of people actually watch public television, you won't know the answer. However, there were moments when [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPi2GMMbzTE a contestant correctly answered something from this category.]] Of course, the contestant in the linked clip also couldn't identify who the lead singer of Music/{{Queen}} was.

Similarly, television channels and programs devoted to public affairs (such as coverage of governmental sessions and other political events) are similarly intended to be a public record rather than exciting entertainment ''by design'' (that is unless a protester or quick-witted politician livens things up, or they're covering the White House Correspondents' Dinner), Some public access shows may also fall into this category if they are not deliberately aiming for that [[StylisticSuck kitschy]], NoBudget feel.

* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' had a recurring sketch in the late 1990's known as "The Delicious Dish", which focused on an eponymous cooking show on NPR. The hosts, Margaret Jo [=McCullen=] and Teri Rialto (Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon), discuss mundane, cooking-related topics, and sound perpetually bored whilst doing so. They don't break character, even if they are contributing to a barrage of [[DoubleEntendre double entendres]] about a chef's [[BallsGag "Schweddy Balls"]].

* Played with in ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' episode "The Vengeance Formulation". Sheldon is interviewed by NPR's ''Science Friday'' on a "recent so-called discovery of magnetic monopoles in spin ices", so they could [[RatingsStunt "goose the ratings" for pledge week with something controversial]]. Of course, [[SitcomArchNemesis Barry Kripke]] livens things up as a prank by [[HeliumSpeech pumping helium]] into the office where Sheldon was doing the interview from by phone. HilarityEnsues.

* ''Series/LookAroundYou'' is an AffectionateParody of the educational programming aired during the daytime by the Creator/{{BBC}} and Creator/{{ITV}} until the early 1990's (intended to be watched at school before the advent of the VCR), right down to the 1970's production values.

* ''WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail:'' In "[[Recap/StrongBadEmailE120Radio radio]]", Strong Bad describes the voices of various radio show hosts. As its slogan promises, the host on Public Radio Sounds is "Smooth 'n' Smarmy", as he reports on events at Capitol Hill and the United Nations. The station also distributes gifts such as bottle openers and tote bags to its supporters, such as Marzipan (who wondered why she had not received her tote bag yet. Somehow, Homestar got it and was using it as a hat).
** In an EasterEgg of the ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'' short "[[Recap/HomestarRunnerDateNite Date Nite]]", Strong Sad is heard listening to an ad on Public Radio Sounds promoting a wrestling match between [[Radio/ThisAmericanLife Ira Glass]] and Ira Flatow (a BrickJoke about remarks made by Marzipan earlier). Strong Sad thinks this is a sign that they were ''really'' [[RatingsStunt getting desperate.]]

** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E9HomerBadman Homer Badman]]", Homer resorts to using public access TV to issue a rebuttal of his sexual harassment allegations without it being [[ManipulativeEditing manipulated]]. The man in charge of the station immediately says that their lines were ringing ... with just two calls. One is a wrong number and the other is a salesman, implying that very few people were watching. One of them was Groundskeeper Willie, who, luckily, had an alternate angle of the alleged incident that clarified what had actually happened.

* BBC Radio 4 (a sister station involved primarily in spoken word programming) broadcasts a series of shipping forecasts (which provide weather conditions for sailors navigating the British isles) four times per-day. They are mainly fed on the station's longwave signals only, but two of them are relayed on the FM signals -- including one most famously aired at 12:45 a.m. before the station signs off for the night. Its reception, however, subverts this trope, as its iconic ThemeTune, mysterious subject matter (to those unfamiliar with where Tyne and Dogger are located, and why they are Northeast 3 or 4), and its strict and hypnotic delivery, have given it a cult following, and a place in British popular culture.

* The quiz show ''Series/RemoteControl'' had a category known as "Public Television", which featured [[UnexpectedlyObscureAnswer difficult questions involving subjects such as science]], as opposed to music and pop culture like the rest of the show. The host's spiel for the category claims that because only 8% of people actually watch public television, you won't know the answer. However, occasionally there were moments when [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPi2GMMbzTE a contestant was a member of the 8%.]] Of course, the contestant in the linked clip also couldn't guess who the lead singer of Music/{{Queen}} was.

* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' had a recurring sketch in the late 1990's known as "The Delicious Dish", which focused on an eponymous cooking show on NPR. The hosts, Margaret Jo [=McCullen=] and Teri Rialto (Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon), sound perpetually bored on-air, and discuss mundane, cooking-related topics. They don't break character, even if they are contributing to a barrage of [[DoubleEntendre double entendres]] about a chef's [[BallsGag "Schweddy Balls"]].

** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E22RoundSpringfield 'Round Springfield]]", Lisa has the local radio station [=KJAZZ=] play a tribute to Bleeding Gums Murphy after his death so that Springfield could appreciate his music. However, it's revealed that the station has a ''very'' short range, [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and that]] [[IronButtMonkey Hans Moleman]] was its morning host;

* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' had a recurring sketch in the late 1990's known as "The Delicious Dish", which focused on an eponymous cooking show on NPR. The hosts, Margaret Jo [=McCullen=] and Teri Rialto (Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon), are perpetually bored and discuss mundane, cooking-related topics. They don't break character, even if they are contributing to a barrage of [[DoubleEntendre double entendres]] about a chef's [[BallsGag "Schweddy Balls"]].

** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS6E22RoundSpringfield 'Round Springfield]]", Lisa has the local radio station [=KJAZZ=] play a tribute to Bleeding Gums Murphy after his death so that Springfield could appreciate his music. However, it's revealed that the station has a ''very'' short range, and that [[IronButtMonkey Hans Moleman]] was its morning host;

** In "[[TheSimpsonsS6E22RoundSpringfield 'Round Springfield]]", Lisa has the local radio station [=KJAZZ=] play a tribute to Bleeding Gums Murphy after his death so that Springfield could appreciate his music. However, it's revealed that the station has a ''very'' short range, and that [[IronButtMonkey Hans Moleman]] was its morning host;

** In "[[TheSimpsonsS11E15MissionaryImpossible Missionary: Impossible]]", Homer becomes fond of the British sitcom ''Do Shut Up'' airing on a PBS station, but it gets interrupted by a pledge drive. Homer tries to be an AnonymousBenefactor by offering to donate $10,000, that he doesn't have, just so they could get back to the show. However, they have "insta-trace" technology that attributes the call back to Homer anyway, and PBS tries to shake him down by sending Creator/BettyWhite, [[Series/MisterRogersNeighborhood Mr. Rogers]], the casts of ''Series/SesameStreet'' and ''Series/{{Teletubbies}}'', and Yo-Yo Ma after him. Homer escapes by volunteering to do missionary work in the South Pacific. The end of the episode is cut off by ''another'' pledge drive ... by Creator/{{Fox}}, promoting that [[BitingTheHandHumor low-brow entertainment such as]] ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' wouldn't exist without viewer support. [[BookEnds Bart phones in with a $10,000 donation.]]

* BBC Radio 4 (a sister station involved primarily in spoken word programming) broadcasts a series of shipping forecasts (which provide weather conditions for sailors navigating the British isles) four times per-day. They are mainly fed on the station's longwave signals only, but two of them are relayed on the FM signals -- including one most famously aired at 12:45 a.m. before the station signs off for the night. Its reception, however, subverts this trope, as its iconic ThemeTune, mysterious subject matter (to those unfamiliar with where Tyne and Dogger are located, and why they are Northeast 3 or 4), and its strict and hypnotic delivery, have given it a CultFollowing and a place in British popular culture.

* Played with in ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'' episode "The Vengeance Formulation". Sheldon is interviewed by NPR's ''Science Friday'' on a "recent so-called discovery of magnetic monopoles in spin ices", so they could [[RatingsStunt "goose the ratings" for pledge week with something controversial]]. Of course, [[TheRival Barry Kripke]] livens things up as a prank by [[HeliumSpeech pumping helium]] into the office where Sheldon was doing the interview from by phone. HilarityEnsues.

* BBC Radio 4 (a sister station involved primarily in spoken word programming) broadcasts a series of shipping forecasts (which provide weather conditions for sailors navigating the British isles) four times per-day. They are mainly fed on the station's longwave signals only, but two of them are relayed on the FM signals -- including one most famously aired at 00:45 before the station signs off in favour of the BBC World Service until the next broadcast day. Its reception, however, subverts this trope, as its iconic ThemeTune, mysterious subject matter (to those unfamiliar with where Tyne and Dogger are located, and why they are Northeast 3 or 4), and its strict and hypnotic delivery, have given it a CultFollowing and a place in British popular culture.

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* ''WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail:'' In "[[Recap/StrongBadEmailE120Radio radio]]", Strong Bad describes the voices of various radio show hosts. As its slogan promises, the host on Public Radio Sounds is "Smooth 'n' Smarmy", as he reports on events at Capitol Hill and the United Nations. The station also distributes gifts such as bottle openers and tote bags to its supporters, such as Marzipan (who wondered why she had not received her tote bag yet. Somehow, Homestar got it and was using it as a hat).

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** In "Idiot Box", Squidward's YourTelevisionHatesYou moment has him channel surfing through several shows bringing up boxes, one of them being a professor using one to demonstrate an equation (and then there's "Championship Boxing", which ends up being [[VisualPun somewhat literal]]).

* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' had a recurring sketch in the late 1990's known as "The Delicious Dish". which focused on an eponymous cooking show on NPR. The hosts, Margaret Jo [=McCullen=] and Teri Rialto (Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon),, are perpetually bored and discuss mundane, cooking-related topics. They don't break character, even if they are contributing to a barrage of [[DoubleEntendre double entendres]] about a chef's [[BallsGag "Schweddy Balls"]].