The Encyclopedia of Television

The Encyclopedia of Television includes more than 1,000 original essays from more than 250 contributors and examines specific programs and people, historic moments and trends, major policy disputes and such topics as violence, tabloid television and the quiz show scandal. It also includes histories of major television networks as well as broadcasting systems around the world and is complemented by resource materials, photos and bibliographical information.

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Excerpt from the preface

"To prepare the Encyclopedia, the MBC chose Dr. Horace Newcomb, Heyne Professor of Communication at the University of Texas at Austin as curator and editor. Professor Newcomb, one of the first scholars to examine the content and history of television...assembled an advisory committee [to reduce] the vast array of possible "television topics" to around 1,000. An early decision was made to focus the majority of the work on major English-speaking, television producing countries, and for that reason the bulk of the material presented here deals with television programs, people, and topics drawn from the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia...

The Encyclopedia of Television has now become our "map" for future exhibitions and public programs. With a stronger knowledge of television's past our aim is for those projects to continue our role as an important participant in media education. We will continue to assist scholars and teachers, students and critics - all citizens - to know more about this medium and therefore, to understand and use it well as part of their personal and social experience."

Bruce DuMont
Founder and President
Museum of Broadcast Communications