In this comprehensive textbook, Jonathan Bignell provides students with a framework for understanding the key concepts and main approaches to television studies, including audience research, Television history and broadcasting policy, and the analytical study of individual programmes.
Features include a glossary of key tems, key terms defined in margins, suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter, activities for use in class or as assignments, and case studies discussing advertisments such as the Guinness 'surfer' ad, approaches to news reporting, and programmes such as Big Brother, The West Wing, America's Most Wanted, and The Cosby Show.