Reading Television

New Accents

by John Fiske, John Hartley

How is it that television has come to play such an important role in our culture? What, in fact, does it tell us, and how are its messages conveyed? What is it we find so satisfying in the format of television police series, or in quiz or sports programmes, that we enjoy watching them again and again? Reading Television was the book that first pushed the boundaries of television studies beyond the insights offered by cultural studies and textual analysis, creating a vibrant new field of study. Using the tools and techniques in this book, it is possible for everyone who has access to a television set to produce illuminating analyses not only of the programmes themselves, but also of the culture which produces them.In this edition, John Hartley reflects on the development of television studies since the publication of this enormously influential book, and updated suggestions. His fascinating foreword both underlines and ensures the continuing relevance of this foundational text, which provides the ideal entry into an area of study crucial for anyone interested in contemporary culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Tv, Academic

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

John Fiske (born 1939) is a media scholar who has taught around the world. He was a Professor of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His areas of interest include cultural studies, popular culture, media semiotics and television studies. He is the author of eight books, including Power Plays, Power Works (1993), Understanding Popular Culture (1989), Reading the Popular (1989), and the influential Television Culture (1987). Fiske also acts as a media critic, examining how cultural meaning is created in American society, and how debates over issues such as race are handled in different media. In May 2008, Fiske received an Honorary Degree from the University of Antwerp.

Reviews

[Lor-El · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Skyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked out Reading Television because it is regarded as one of the first books written on television and critical theory. The books is an amazing show of research, and is really well thought out. I particularly liked the sections on "Dance," "Bardic Television," and "Competition." It would be interesting to know how Fiske and Hartley feel about reality television and blockbuster television today. Sometimes, however, the book can be quite dry, and it does focus a lot on some old television shows, which I wish it did more of, and I wish it could be a little more focused at times, providing more examples and a breadth of examples. This being said, it truly is a fascinating early examination of television and the role it plays in our lives.

[Eleni · Rating 5 out of 5]

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