The Impact of the Newer Television Technologies on Television Satisfaction

This study focused on the gratifications of some of the newer television technologies. Specifically we expected that cable television, videocassette recorders, and remote control devices would increase the gratifications people receive from watching television and the satisfaction they derive from television use. Telephone interviews were completed with 615 respondents in a Midwestern town. There was only limited support for our expectations. Use of new technologies had an impact on receiving, pass-the-time, and companionship gratifications from television viewing. Instrumental viewing motives, television exposure, and receiving informational gratifications from television viewing were the strongest predictors of television satisfaction. The discussion relates these findings to the ambiguous meanings that the new technologies have in U.S. society.

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