I'd never heard of this before, and it doesn't directly surround local TV or radio, but it's a bit unusual so I thought I'd share it here. There is a "search engine page" on the Internet that's been put there solely for the use of TV and movie studios that don't want to use Google or Bing when a character is looking for something on the web.

It's called "Search Wise" and it looks for all the world just like an actual search page. But if you look at the bottom, you'll see this disclaimer: 

"This is not a real search engine. This site has been created as a Film & TV prop web site for legal clearance purposes."  

I suppose it doesn't cost anything to have this there, and it's fun to note that every time the page is refreshed, you get a different logo. Click on it anywhere and you get sent to a company that provides graphics for the industry. I have to admit I always thought these things were generated in house and I'm surprised they actually put it up on the web. 

I guess in a way it's the modern day equivalent to the 555-phone number prefix that's been used forever on entertainment shows to keep viewers from calling an actual number and harassing people. 

So keep an eye out for its use in various shows or films you watch. Because knowing it's there may well make you "search wise!"

Search-wise.net