Table of Contents
Issue #1 as well as supplement added at the end.
Communication Research Trends:
The Challenge of Cable Television
vol. 3 no. 1 1982
Research Trends in Religious Communication:
Church Responses to Cable Television
vol. 3 no. 1 1982
Abstract
Cable television is at least thirty years old, yet it is still talked of as a new communications medium. Why? Optimists say because it has yet to realise its multi-channel potential to enrich and diversify television programming. Even better, cable will provide the citizen with a host of interactive information, educational, and transaction services.
Sceptics see cable offering old programming in new packages. They ask: Will only the well-off benefit? Who will control cable systems? Can privacy be protected? Does cable TV damage public service broadcasting? What do we really want cable for?
In many countries cable is on the verge of new growth. Public debate tries to weigh the enthusiasm of the optimists against the scepticism of the critics. Where is the evidence upon which to base policy recommendations? This issue of TRENDS looks at the scope of cable TV research and attempts to summarize some of the main conclusions to date. They may offer ideas for future policy and research. The challenge raised by cable is to devise policies that will best ensure its potential is achieved. The history of cable TV shows how formidable that challenge actually is.
Recommended Citation
(1982)
"The Challenge of Cable Television,"
Communication Research Trends: Vol. 3:
No.
1, Article 1.
Available at:
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/crt/vol3/iss1/1