The scientific study of the visual communication media arts must be based on both general theories regarding these media and specific theories developed for each medium. Although it is possible that the delay in the development of vigorous scientific studies and empirical research findings in the visual communication media of television has caused…

Describes activities of the Developmental and Social Research Unit of the American Broadcasting Companies. Holds that the television industry (and the general industry sector) can collaborate with the academic community on research to provide mutual benefits for both groups. Discusses how such collaboration might be most effectively carried out.…

Reviews the history of the most widely used device for measuring mass media audience reactions. Notes that competition and the expensive media environment have led communication scholars and policymakers to a revived interest in this device and qualitative audience measurement. (PD)

"Lift Off" is a new, innovative children's television series produced by the Australian Children's Television Foundation that has been well received by young children, parents, critics, and educators. One typical half-hour program is profiled. Questions the claims that "Lift Off" will enrich the lives of a whole age cohort,…

Methods are suggested to measure the program appeal and audience attention of Children's Television Workshop productions. Among these are distractor techniques, one which permits subjects to discriminate between two simultaneously broadcast programs by selecting the audio track they most prefer and one used to rank order several programs.…

A study analyzed the programing and advertising matter in the after-school hours on independent commercial television stations unaffiliated with the major networks. These stations, primarily UHF, relied almost entirely on syndicated programing that is often reruns of former network programs. These programs draw large after-school audiences. By…

A proposal commissioned by the American Association for the Advancement of Science suggests a science programing group for U.S. public television with the mission of increasing the level of understanding of science by a large part of the public. It is proposed that programing be undertaken at WBGH-TV Boston for the entire Public Broadcasting…

Describes a pilot television program, "Where Do You Work?" which was designed to contribute to each child's self-awareness and occupational awareness through the presentation of occupational role models. The production process and results of field testing are discussed. (CMV)

Provides examples from six studies to illustrate how the formative research element of the Sesame Workshop production model has been used to create effective educational media in the United States, South Africa, Egypt, and China. Shows how lessons learned from formative studies provide insights into the development of new research methodologies…

This paper analyzes the ways in which members of different ethnic groups decode the worldwide hit television program Dallas, and suggests answers to the question of how such a quintessentially American cultural product crosses cultural and linguistics frontiers so easily. The program was studied with the intent of observing the mechanisms through…

This paper examines a proposal for a possible second Norwegian television channel (TV 2) which has attracted interest from all parts of Norwegian society. Some major dimensions that pertain to the TV 2 issue are set forth and discussed, including: (1) whether or not a new channel should be established; (2) whether it would be a commercial or…

This guide is designed to acquaint public television station managers and staff with the video-teleconferencing business. For managers, the goal is to provide an overview of the market and an understanding of the facilities and personnel required to enter it. For staff personnel who may be assigned to video-teleconferencing responsibilities, the…

Although Britain's Open University employs television case studies resembling the documentaries seen on general service television as part of its multimedia distance learning system, evaluations of the program have shown that many students were unable to achieve the learning objectives put forth by the program producers. Because of production…

This compendium of papers, prepared by staff of a Canadian public cable company, examines cablevision marketing in Canada, multiple replay community programming, the first QCTV film production, QCTV special programming, television coverage of the House of Commons, establishment of a data processing system, use of that system for customer service,…

Presents findings of a study (by Rosanne Fortner) which determined: (1) the impact of a Jacques Cousteau television documentary on ninth-grade students' knowledge and attitudes; (2) whether the same information presented by a classroom teacher would have a similar impact; and (3) if knowledge/attitude changes are retained for two weeks. (JN)