Programming for TV, Radio & The Internet: Strategy, Development & Evaluation 2nd Edition

Great

I've been using this as a textbook for my radio and podcast programming and promotions class. I've had to do a LOT of updates on my own, after four decades in the industry (and still active in broadcasting.) This pigeonholes formats, placing them into boxes that just don't apply in this decade. It also ignores the increasing use of automation, streaming and podcasting.

This book is spot on. As an industry professional for over 20 years, I can attest to the validity of Gross's points. I used thisas a text in my graduate TV programming course at NYIT's Manhattan campus a few years back. Can't use it anymore since it is now 10 years old and Focal Press has no plans for an update.

This is a very solid job at describing a constantly moving target. The authors (the first and third are at California State University-Fullerton, while Brian Gross teaches out in Jakarta and has enjoyed extensive experience in all three media) help to bring ever more important Internet content into the media mainstream with their treatment. Chapters cover the history of programming in all three services (and related areas such as video games), sources of television programming, sources of radio and Internet content, development of content for each of the three, testing of audience reactions, elements of successful programming, factors influencing television programming, factors impacting radio and Internet content, scheduling strategies for each of these services, program evaluation, changing and canceling programs, and ethical issues. The book is more descriptive than critical in approach, and helps readers get behind the scenes to better understand the players and process.