Synopses & Reviews
Remote control tuning encourages a form of interactive television using a technology already available in 80 percent of American households. Editors Walker and Bellamy have compiled the first book of state-of-the-art research on a topic of growing interest to media researchers, practitioners, and students. Chapter authors combine survey measurements with recorded observations of viewing behavior, an analysis of the program sources accessed during "grazing," experimental studies of remote control use, and historical and critical analyses. Specific topics include: the history of the remote control device, gender differences in its use, family communication and parental control of the device, remote controls and selective exposure to media messages, the impact of remote controls on programming and promotion, remote controls and critical perspective on television, and future technologies. This volume is rooted in social scientific research, but theoretically and methodologically broad in scope.
Review
The evolution of this small device as an interface of the technology that produced cable TV and the VCR is well presented, as are the statistics verifying its rapid and complete penetration into American TV households. The final three chapters, whose authors thoughtfully analyze the role of the remote in the larger of the political economics of the TV industry, along with Americans' infatuation with technology, and television's ability to confound fiction and reality, are provocative and indicative of where we should look for effects.Choice
Review
. . . . This is a highly useful collection on a topic everyone lives with but few have yet analyzed.Communications Booknotes
Synopsis
The first book of state-of-the-art research combining survey measurements with recorded observations of viewing behavior, and analysis of the program sources accessed during "grazing," experimental studies of remote control use, and historical and critical analyses.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [241]-260) and index.
About the Author
JAMES R. WALKER is Associate Professor of Communication at Memphis State University.ROBERT V. BELLAMY, JR. is Associate Professor of Communication at Duquesne University.