Douglas A. Ferguson

The World Wide Web as a Functional Alternative to Television

This study was designed to explore the similarities between television and the World Wide Web (WWW). We adopted a uses and gratifications framework to assess whether Web surfing is a functional alternative to television viewing. A sample of computer-experienced students completed an on-line questionnaire and a three-day on-line media-use diary. We found that three major and two minor television-like reasons for Web surfing: Entertainment, Pass Time, Relaxation, Social Information, and Information. Our respondents used the Web for school, play, to acquire information and materials, and, to some extent, for work. The WWW may be functionally similar to television, especially in its use for diversion. But there are indications that the WWW may not be as relaxing a use of time as television viewing.

Media and audience influences on channel repertoire

A telephone survey was conducted to examine the television viewing patterns and motivations of 615 respondents. Channel repertoire was operationalized in two ways. Total channel repertoire was defined as the number of channels viewers watched, using aided recall. Mindful channel repertoire was further defined as those channels identified by viewers through unaided recall. The findings indicate that total channel repertoire is related to media and audience factors. Perceived effort, motives for changing channels with a remote control, and intentionality were significant positive predictors of mindful channel repertoire.

Profile: Channel repertoire in the presence of remote control devices, VCRs and cable television

Channel repertoire is the number of available channels that viewers choose to watch. This study examined channel repertoire in the presence of several “new media environment” variables, including remote control devices (RCDs). Channel repertoire and RCD usage were measured within a 2X2 matrix of VCR ownership and cable subscription. Results indicate that the use of RCDs and VCRs do not substantially increase channel repertoire. The study suggests the influence of some motivations that underlie RCD usage and channel repertoire.

Cultivation in the Newer Media Environment

The cultivation perspective holds that heavy exposure to televisions consistent messages leads viewers to be more fearful and mistrustful of others. The widespread adoption and use of new television technologies, however, may alter how television viewing cultivates social reality beliefs by allowing for greater programming diversity and greater viewer control. Two random-digit-dialed telephone surveys of adults in two U.S. cities were conducted to test the impact of cable, VCRs, and remote control devices on fear of crime and interpersonal mistrust. It was found that whereas interpersonal mistrust was linked to greater exposure to cables broadcast-type channels, both fear of crime and mistrust were negatively related to increased exposure to more specialized and diverse cable channels. Fear of crime was also linked negatively to VCR ownership. The discussion suggests that mass communication researchers continue to explore the impact of new television technologies on traditional media effects.

Measurement of mundane TV behaviors: Remote control device flipping frequency

Although overt behaviors (such as media consumption and related uses and gratifications) are fairly reliable survey items, mundane behaviors (such as channel changing frequency) are problematic. Respondents were asked to watch television in the presence of a hidden device that recorded the frequency of their RCD use. When these recorded counts were compared to their self‐reported survey responses regarding channel flipping frequency, there was evidence of underestimation of channel flipping. Irregularity of estimation was explained in part by excitement instrumental viewing motives.

Audience Satisfaction Among Tivo and Replaytv Users

ABSTRACT This study explores how early adopters of DVRs are using them as functional replacements for VCRs and as tools for enhanced viewing of live television. Two national samples totaling 198 users completed an online survey that measured TV uses and gratifications, viewing satisfaction, and attitudes toward DVR functions. DVR owners reported watching television, live and recorded, with more enjoyment and greater control. TiVo owners in the second sample noted a higher degree of satisfaction than in the first sample.

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.

The benefits and costs of web surfing

Although the Web audience is growing exponentially, little research has explored the benefits that the audience derives from their use of the Web. This study took a cost‐benefit approach to exploring the specific benefits and opportunity costs associated with World Wide Web use. We hypothesized that greater benefits coupled with fewer opportunity costs (e.g., computer and Internet access, computer expertise, connection speed, effort, and multimedia) would have an impact on the amount of time people spend on the Web and the value they attach to their Web use. We conducted a Web‐based survey of 250 students enrolled at two “wired” universities who were required to use the Web for coursework. The results revealed that Learning was the most salient benefit of the Web, followed by Pass Time and Entertainment. We found some support for the impact of opportunity costs on Web use. Stronger support was found for the impact of benefits and costs on Web surfing value. We also found that Entertainment and sports Web sites were the ones most likely to be linked to beneficial Web use. The discussion relates the results of the study to speculations about the future of the Web audience and the impact of reduced opportunity costs on Web use.

Leisure time and channel repertoire in a Multichannel environment

A telephone survey of 197 respondents measured leisure time activities (television viewing versus all other activities). An analysis of four groups (low TV/low other, low TV/high other, high TV/low other, and high TV/high other) looked for group differences in two types of channel repertoire: broadcast channel repertoire (BCR) and cable channel repertoire (CCR). CCR differed between the first and fourth groups (low/low and high/high), but there were no differences in BCR. Age was found to be a significant covariate. These findings support the idea that people who are active in general tend to watch cable channels in particular.

Tablet computers and traditional television (TV) viewing Is the iPad replacing TV

Over the past 3 years, tablet computers have become increasingly popular devices. In particular, Apple’s iPad and its accompanying apps have taken the tablet market by storm. The technology enables users to accomplish a variety of tasks, including viewing television (TV) programs and other video sources on the device. Based on media uses and gratifications, an exploratory study examined whether the iPad was replacing traditional TV viewing. Results showed that, rather than displacing time with TV, the amount of TV viewing on an iPad was positively related to the amount of time watching traditional TV.