Bringing together a truly international spread of contributors from across the UK, US, South America, Mexico and Australia, this book charts the field of television studies from issues of ownership and regulation through to reception and consumption. Separate chapters are dedicated to examining the roles of journalists, writers, cinematographers, producers and manufacturers in the production process, whilst others explore different formats including sport, novella and soap opera, news and current affairs, music and reality TV. The final section analyses the pivotal role played by audiences in the contexts of gender, race and class, and spans a range of topics from effects studies to audience consumption. This book is an essential reference work for all advanced undergraduates, graduate students and academics across broadcasting, mass communication and media studies.