An investigation of the fictional representations of the city in contemporary British and American television drama, assessing their political, sociological and cultural implications. The book draws on the following five key case studies for specific and detailed analysis:

* Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City 

* Homicide & Life on the Street 

* Queer as Folk 

* The Cops 

* Holding On

Each is discussed in terms of structure, content, characterisation and narrative, and each is placed within its specific ideological context. The case studies are intended to represent an interesting range of British and American cities and city sub-cultures. The author extends his analysis to investigate the intrinsic issues related to the implications of popular and high drama and culture.

This study includes exclusive interviews with the writers and directors of some of the series discussed. This new material provides new insights into the intended presentations of "city" identities for the television. As one of the first substantial investigations of the city in television drama, this book reflects and contributes to a growing general interest in the politics of representation. It is also designed for accommodation into the very popular academic courses on drama and in film and media studies: as a textbook and for supplementary reading.

An integrated analysis of the central issues in contemporary media policy. Chapters focus on technological change and its impact on cultural and political identities, the role of the cultural industries in the 'New Economy' and the impact of European integration on national institutions - public service broadcasting in particular. Because technological change in broadcasting has enabled us to open up media markets, the shape of media and of society has become more internationally-oriented. Indeed, modern international media has bought into question the very legitimacy of national communities and ideologies. And this is a phenomenon whose greatest impact has been in Europe. These studies address the future of public service broadcasting and the power of national regulators to shape trans-national media relationships. The author takes an empirical approach to analysis of these issues, exploring media and communication studies very much as a social science.

An investigation of the fictional representations of the city in contemporary British and American television drama, assessing their political, sociological and cultural implications. The book draws on the following five key case studies for specific and detailed analysis:

* Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City 

* Homicide & Life on the Street 

* Queer as Folk 

* The Cops 

* Holding On

Each is discussed in terms of structure, content, characterisation and narrative, and each is placed within its specific ideological context. The case studies are intended to represent an interesting range of British and American cities and city sub-cultures. The author extends his analysis to investigate the intrinsic issues related to the implications of popular and high drama and culture.

This study includes exclusive interviews with the writers and directors of some of the series discussed. This new material provides new insights into the intended presentations of "city" identities for the television. As one of the first substantial investigations of the city in television drama, this book reflects and contributes to a growing general interest in the politics of representation. It is also designed for accommodation into the very popular academic courses on drama and in film and media studies: as a textbook and for supplementary reading.