Customer Reviews

Broadcasting in America: A Survey of Electronic Media (9th Edition)

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This is a popular text for your basic college TV and Radio intro class. I have used it for several years myself and it's a fine overview of the subject. Gets pretty technical on electronic stuff and has less on broadcast history and personalities (in my view). Also, since the death of one author the book has become more dated each year and will continue to do so unless they do a fairly significant rewrite.

This book covers the history of radio and tv well, but it really isn't too current with some of the new broadcasting standards and new research methods going on.

Among the historical aspects of broadcasting covered are: development, technology, economics, programming, impact, regulation, and international aspects. The book's beginning tells us that broadcasting has consequences and that theme runs through the text. We're given clear definitions of the key terms used by media professionals and a historical context of their development.

Appropriate charts, graphs, and photos add an element of visual explanation to accompany the written descriptions. The sections on regulation and audience research emphasize the importance of those two components for students interested in entering the field. This book is a good introduction to the industry's founding and place in American culture.