A comprehensive introduction to the study of media audiences as well as new research on viewers' emotional engagement with television texts. The text provides a detailed introduction to the history of audience research and an overview of the various competing theories on audience; a discussion of current debates within television audience research; an examination of the concept of emotion in relation to different aspects of audience research, such as feminist approaches, issues related to genre, and aesthetics;a small scale research project on television and emotion; and workshop exercises, along with film and television references, internet resources, and additional materials to accompany lectures and seminars. The volume is designed to be used as a primary text for courses within media and communication studies and is ideal for a module focusing on television and audience research. Although it is aimed at an undergraduate reader, original research on audience and emotion will be of interest to postgraduate students and researchers.

A comprehensive introduction to the study of media audiences as well as new research on viewers' emotional engagement with television texts. The text provides a detailed introduction to the history of audience research and an overview of the various competing theories on audience; a discussion of current debates within television audience research; an examination of the concept of emotion in relation to different aspects of audience research, such as feminist approaches, issues related to genre, and aesthetics;a small scale research project on television and emotion; and workshop exercises, along with film and television references, internet resources, and additional materials to accompany lectures and seminars. The volume is designed to be used as a primary text for courses within media and communication studies and is ideal for a module focusing on television and audience research. Although it is aimed at an undergraduate reader, original research on audience and emotion will be of interest to postgraduate students and researchers.