Previous analyses (i.e., Bernstein & St. John, 2006; Sender & Sullivan, 2008) of the television show "The Biggest Loser" have detailed its negative presentation of the obese body, potential consequences for viewers, and its role as a technology of governmentality. However, there has been little exploration of how audience members…

This paper identifies four viewpoints about a TV program by making use of Q-method. Based on a factor analysis, 35 participants of this study are classified into four groups that each one creates a viewpoint towards the TV program. Each viewpoint is interpreted carefully by using 48 statements representing possible opinions about the TV program.…

Evolution is a central underlying concept to a significant number of discourses in civilized society, but the complexity of understanding basic tenets of this important theory is just now coming to light. Knowledge about evolution is constructed from both formal and "free-choice" opportunities, like television. Nature programs are commonly…

Responds to Martin Allor's "Relocating the Site of the Audience" (same issue). Suggests that the audience precedes the text. (MS)

Popular media may be described as television, film, radio, and print media primarily offered for the purpose of entertainment. Such popular media have been the object of critical analysis for decades, both for academic scholars and popular pundits. Our focus is not on quantitative or experimental research concerning popular media effects, but…

A study investigated the influence of television program type and scheduling characteristics on patterns of program choice. The problem to be explored was the relative contribution of program content to patterns of audience flow. Soap operas were scheduled on competing channels with the assumption that audience duplication between pairs of these…

Examines college students' responses to the program "Cops" to better understand how viewers construct meaning and pleasure from the televisual texts of reality-based programming. Finds that humor guides the viewers' interpretations of the text and is a major source of pleasure, but the audience's search for the comic both deviates from…

Presents a model to ascertain the "critical mass" in ratings points required to facilitate renewal of prime-time network programs aired between 1971 and 1985. Emphasizes a financial model incorporating revenue levels needed to offset program costs--advertising agency commissions, affiliate compensation, network overhead--and program…

Examines influences on public recognition and recall of news. Finds that stories receiving heavier television news coverage are better recognized and recalled; respondents who are generally well-informed about public affairs succeed in learning most types of news; and news stories focused on personalities and domestic news items are better…

Based on the notion that technological and artistic developments in the area of television production affect viewers' comprehension and appreciation of televised programs, this essay examines the impact of telecommunication advances on the industry. The first section briefly considers the technological advances of the last decade in major TV…

The Media Management and Economics Division section of the proceedings contains the following nine papers: "Weekly Newspaper Industry: A Baseline Study" (David C. Coulson, Stephen Lacy and Jonathan Wilson); "News Hole Sizing Policies at Nondaily Newspapers" (Ken Smith); "The Influence of Timing of Market Entry on…

Finds that 70.3% of a national sample of adults used local TV news as their primary source of news, followed by network TV news, newspapers, and radio news. Notes that use of talk radio, TV magazines, and grocery store tabloids was far less. (RS)

Claims that most television research ignores the connections between its symbolic and economic influences. Argues for an integrated approach that views television as both a commodity and an artifact. Describes five analytical categories that researchers could use to provide information illuminating these relations to the public. (JD)

Examines the audience experience with home video cassette recorders (VCRs) from the perspective of the active audience concept. Finds the orientation of Israeli VCR owners to VCRs is selective, somewhat involved, and generally productive of gratifications. Also finds the kinds and levels of activities associated with VCR use are moderately…

Analyzes research about the mass communication audience and describes a theoretical and methodological framework for further empirical studies. Discusses the (1) explanatory value of qualitative research; (2) social and cultural implications of the reception process, with special reference to television; and (3) applications and social relevance…