Children's Television in Britain

by Buckingham, David; Davies, Hannah; Jones, Ken; Kelley, Peter

• ISBN13: 9780851706863
• ISBN10: 085170686X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-04-01
• Publisher: British Film Inst

Summary

The rise of more commercially-based, global media has significant implications for the child audience. Many are concerned that the traditions of public service, quality and diversity in children's television are under threat. Based on an extensive research project, this book provides a critical review of the history of children's television in the UK, and a realistic assessment of its future prospects. It looks at how broadcasters have defined the child audience; at the changes in children's programing; at the impact of competition and new technologies; and at the role of audience research. The book intervenes in contemporary debates about the regulation of children's television.

Author Biography

David Buckingham is a Reader in Education at the Institute of Education, London University. He has written and edited numerous books about children and the media, including Children Talking Television (1993), Moving Images (1996) and The Making of Citizens (1999). Hannah Davies is a freelance writer and researcher. She is the author of the Channel 4 report How Children See Themselves on Television (1996). Ken Jones is Lecturer in Education at Keele University and is author/editor of four books, including Right Turn. The Conservative Revolution in Education (1990) and Education After the Conservatives (1996): Peter Kelley has been a research officer on several projects concerned with childhood, including the ESRC Children's Media Culture Project.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction: Defining the Child Viewer	1	(13)
For the Children Children's Television 1946--80	14	(31)
Run the Risk Towards a Political Economy of Children's Television	45	(33)
Vision On Mapping the Changes in Children's Programming	78	(39)
Wise Up The Functions and Practices of Audience Research	117	(30)
Look Who's Talking How Media Producers Define the Child Audience	147	(28)
Conclusion	175	(14)
Bibliography	189	(5)
Index	194