Synthesizes the results of empirical research on the role and impact of television in the lives of Black Americans, focusing on the portrayal of Blacks, television as a source of information, the behavior of Black viewers, and television's effects on Black children. Forty-nine sources are cited. (FM)

Examines the use of entertainment features in children's educational television through a systematic content analysis of sample programs. Assesses the quantity of use of humorous and attention-getting material, examines distinguishing characteristics of the entertainment-oriented messages, and highlights several patterns of use for these…

Presents data on the kinds of physically intimate and sexual behaviors dealt with on prime-time television during the 1977-1978 season. Results indicate an increasing tendency to tease the audience behaviorally (through flirting), verbally (through innuendo), and visually (through contextually implied intercourse). (JMF)

Discusses children as television viewers capable of manipulating the co-viewing setting by interpreting, constructing, and carrying out planned lines of play in relation to television and its content. Examples illustrate program-oriented and free-form improvisational play situations. (JMF)

Examines the relationship of preschool children's visual attention to the presence of 37 visual and auditory attributes of television programs. Attributes included the use of puppets, women, and children, auditory changes, peculiar voices, movement, cuts, sound effects, laughter, applause, adult male voices, extended zooms and pans, eye contact,…

Examines the differences between Japanese and U.S. television in portrayal of violence. Concludes that while the amount of violence on Japanese television does not differ noticeably from that on American television, the nature of Japanese violence differs with much greater emphasis on suffering and the consequences of violence. (JMF)

Investigates the effects of various programing strategies, commonly employed by the television networks, on program popularity for children. Strategies include counterprograming by type, block programing by type, inheritance effects, starting time, program familiarity, and character familiarity. Confirms the effects of starting time and program…

Reviews the literature from 1950 to 1978 on public and commercial broadcast television and deaf people. Concludes that deaf and hearing impaired individuals watch as much television as hearing persons, that research on program preferences of the deaf is contradictory, and that, properly captioned, television serves an important information…

Reviews extent of Japanese television broadcasting and describes current practices and programs related to children's television. Sources of discontent with current practices are noted. (RAO)

Describes television broadcast policy in Sweden with specific reference to children's television. Viewing time, imported programs, and proposed policy changes are issues mentioned. (RAO)

Traces the conception, development and formulation of the Family Viewing Plan and contends that Family Viewing represents an important step in the evolution of industrial self-regulation in the public interest. (MH)

Investigates the legal issue of whether the FCC has authority to adopt a rule or policy embodying the family viewing concept. (MH)

This study collected behavioral data on the relationship between children's attentiveness to television commercials and their product requests, using the techniques of operant conditioning and direct observation. (SB)

Investigates how the presence of cable television affects parental mediation of television viewing. Finds that children whose homes have cable are exposed to more R and PG movies than their noncable counterparts. Finds little differences in mediation behaviors across pay, basic, and noncable environments. (RS)