The study of television is central to media, communication and cultural courses. This new textbook by the author of 'More Than Meets the Eye' introduces students to three main approaches to television study: culturalist, postmodernist and gender perspectives, explaining challenging concepts such as ideology, institution and audience with plenty of concrete examples and illustrations.

Important - and entertaining - TV genres such as crime drama and docusoaps are discussed, with separate chapters on news, realism and representation. The relationship between institution and audience, views on TV effects and theories of how meanings are constructed for and by the audience, are explored in the light of current research. A chapter on television history is included, and the book ends with a vision of the future of television, driven by the impact of globalization as well as advances in technology.

Critical debates and concepts are woven throughout the text, illustrated by diagrams and shots taken from a variety of programmes. This book will be core reading for students seeking information about the medium of television combined with thorough critical understanding.