This paper provides a framework for developing an approach to understanding soap opera's appeal as a direct function of both the genre's form and of its fans' viewing behavior. The paper suggests that while this analysis is largely critical, other studies from both critical and social scientific approaches can be based upon the framework and…

This paper, representing the first part of a multifaceted study designed to examine the communicative role of a two-way talk radio station, provides a demographic profile of listeners during a one-week period. Data was collected in Salt Lake City during the spring of 1975. Each broadcast day was tape recorded from the beginning talk show until the…

Identifies the significance of the long-running debate among religious broadcasting professionals and religion practitioners regarding the size of the audience for religious television. (MS)

A study examined the impact of remote control devices, videocassette recorders, and cable television on inheritance effects (the tendency for viewers to continue watching a channel at the conclusion of a program). Inheritance effects were measured by calculating the correlation between program share and lead-in program share for all primetime…

This paper uses symbolic convergence theory and evoked recall or resonance theory in an attempt to explain the phenomenon of "A Prairie Home Companion"--a weekly live radio program broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio featuring music and the "news" from fictional Lake Wobegon as related by Garrison Keillor, the show's…

Fourteen statements relating to the surveillance, diversion, and social interaction uses of media were drawn from a review of uses and gratification research and applied to the viewing of local and national early evening news and nighttime local news television programs. A telephone survey of 543 adults elicited information concerning demographics…

Utilizing a regionally diversified sample of cable viewers to investigate viewer patronage of community channels--defined to include public, educational, and government (PEG) access as well as community (or leased) access channels, a study examined a quarterly national survey of homes serviced by cable in the United States. Each quarter, 1,000…

Examines television viewers' interpretations of a particular narrative from the British soap opera "Coronation Street" after they had watched it unfold over some time in natural viewing circumstances. Identifies and discusses the interpretations of four clusters of viewers ranked in terms of their relative allegiance to the characters.…

Discusses two strategies for achieving public radio's share of the audience--block and format programming. A rationale for choosing either of these alternatives, limitations on program options, and format principles are examined. (RAO)

A study focused on audience selectivity and involvement before and during television exposure. Two types of selectivity were considered: program selection before exposure and changing channels while viewing. The study included four indications of audience involvement: intentionality, or anticipating TV viewing; attention or focused cognitive…

Considers television viewing practices during special events. Examines how audiences organize around such programing and whether this organization changes the understanding of audience connectiveness. Considers connectiveness and privatization in conjunction with conceptions of the public sphere, reviews literature on media events, and applies…

Concludes that the answer to the question of whether viewers restructure their lives to accommodate television or whether television is made to fit into the existing structure of their lives is functionally related to the programing and the time period involved. (FL)

Cites figures that indicate that the basic global flow of television programing is among eight rich countries and contends that these statistics also reflect those countries which have the most receivers and the largest audience population. (MH)

To examine the rhetorical vision of nuclear war presented in the television show "The Day After," it is necessary to consider (1) the motives of those involved in producing the film, (2) the debate over the film that preceded its presentation, (3) the effect of the film's message, and (4) how the film's rhetorical structure contributed…

To determine whether the structure of religious programs helps develop ethos (the image held of a communicator at a given time by a receiver) in terms of character, intelligence, goodwill, and charisma, an analysis was made of four religious programs: "The PTL Club", "The 700 Club", "Jimmy Swaggart," and "The…