Scandals Lead to Change: How did the quiz show scandals of the 1950s affect the relationship between advertisers and networks? Is the relationship between advertisers and networks different or the same today?

The quiz show scandals of the 1950s, such as the one involving Twenty-One, changed the way the networks produce their programs. Before the scandals, networks and advertisers collaborated on their programs' content. At first, this was a mutually beneficial arrangement. This was due to the fact that advertisers could promote their products and networks had programming that brought in viewers as well ad revenue.

However, it was eventually discovered that the quiz shows were rigged in order to draw in a larger audience. The fallout from the scandal led to the public losing trust in both the networks and advertisers. People now realized not everything that the media presented was necessarily undisputed truth. Ultimately, networks are the gatekeepers, it is a business, so their bottom line goal is to make money. However, they have a responsibility to the public and their close relationship with advertisers lead to bias and greed.

Therefore, networks had to separate themselves the advertisers to regain the trust from their audience. Today, advertisers and networks still collaborate, but the programs content is not determined by the advertisers. Now, products are featured, but it is not the focus of the show. For example, on America's Next Top Model, the prize to be featured in a Cover Girl ad campaign, but Cover Girl does not produce the show or determine the content.