Television is the most pervasive mass medium of the industrialised world. It is blamed for creating alienation and violence in society, yet at the same time regarded as trivial and unworthy of serious attention. It is the main purveyor of global popular culture, yet also intensely local.
The Australian TV Book paints the big picture of the small screen in Australia. It examines industry dynamics in a rapidly changing environment, the impact of new technology, recent changes in programming, and the ways in which the television industry targets its audiences. The authors highlight what is distinctive about television in Australia, and how it is affected by international developments.
This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Australian television today.
Stuart Cunningham is Professor of Media and Journalism at Queensland University of Technology. Graeme Turner is director of the Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies at the University of Queensland. They are editors of the leading textbook The Media in Australia and authors of many other works on the media.
FIGURES
CONTRIBUTORS
Part A: INTRODUCTORY CONTEXTS
1. Studying Television Graeme Turner
2. History, Contexts, Politics, Policy Stuart Cunningham
Part B: THE SECTORS
3. Commercial Networks: Still the Ones? Jock Given
4. Public Service TV: An Endangered Species? Elizabeth Jacka
5. Television After Broadcasting Terry Flew and Christina Spurgeon
Part C: THE GENRES
6. Television News and Current Affairs: 'Welcome to Frontline' Graeme Turner
7. Lifestyle Programs: 'No choice but to choose' Frances Bonner
8. Soap Opera: 'No End of Story, Ever' Kate Bowles
9. Sport: The Genre that Runs and Runs David Rowe
10. Primetime Drama: 77 Sunset Strip to Seachange Alan McKee
11. The Television Live Event: From the 'Wandering Booby' to the 'Death of History' John Hartley
Part D: THE AUDIENCE
12.
Biography
Stuart Cunningham is Professor of Media and Journalism at Queensland University of Technology. Graeme Turner is director of the Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies at the University of Queensland. They are editors of the leading textbook The Media in Australia and authors of many other works on the media.
