TV Times, 90053

Question: Sometimes TV Times says that a show will air and then when I turn on the channel I find something else is airing. Why can’t you get your listings right?

Answer: Our listings are right--when our staff finishes producing TV Times. But in order to print enough copies for our million-plus circulation, TV Times is completed about a week before you get it. We like to point out that other TV magazines generally have even earlier deadlines, but even with later deadlines we are still subject to the whims and demands of TV programmers.

For various reasons TV networks, cable channels and local stations make changes as late as the same day a program airs. Obviously TV Times cannot reflect those last-minute changes. But the daily TV listings in the Calendar section enable us to update the Sunday listings.

We cannot always point our finger, however, at last-minute changes by the network. Sometimes we may be in error. If you do see that a listing is wrong, please let TV Times know in writing. Be sure to mention the time and channel in question and tell us what we said would air and what really aired. Write to TV Times Editor, TV Times, The Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053.

Q: What are those little numbers next to some show titles in the TV listings?

A: Those are VCR Plus Codes. They are for use with VCR Plus, a gadget aimed to make it easier to tape off your VCR. The VCR Plus unit is sold in many appliance and department stores.

Once you have the unit (about the size of a remote control), you do an initial setup to program information about your brand of VCR and your cable system. When you want to tape a program you punch in the VCR Plus code listed next to the show’s title and the unit will turn on your VCR and tape the program.

The Los Angeles Times lists VCR Plus codes for the most-watched and most-taped programs: movies, prime-time series, talk shows, soap operas, sports and children’s programming. If you need the number for a show not listed, phone 1-800-432-1VCR.

For general information about VCR Plus, phone 1-800-258-4VCR.