Non-dominated “trade-off” solutions in television scheduling optimization

The main approaches for the television scheduling design are commonly based on the ratings or revenues maximization objective, and thus, only a single optimal solution can be obtained, corresponding to the best result for the considered objective. Therefore, these approaches lead up to the alternative solutions loss which, even if less effective from the ratings or revenues maximization viewpoint, may be more suitable for the decision maker because of better compromise in relation to factors influencing the decision process. Specifically, such a compromise could be achieved through a suitable “trade-off” between these factors, with reference to the decision context in which the decision maker has to operate. The present study concerns the development of a multi-objective approach for the television scheduling design in which ratings and costs are the considered objectives to optimize, because these are the main factors influencing the decision process. In particular, an integer mathematical programming model is formulated and solved, considering as input data forecasted values of show-parts ratings and costs obtained by a suitable forecast engine. Finally, in order to show the employment of the proposed approach, a case study concerning the television scheduling optimization for an Italian TV channel is conducted with detailed practical considerations