A History of Broadcasting in the United States

This powerful history of broadcasting in the United States goes beyond traditional accounts to explore the field’s important social, political, and cultural ramifications. It examines how broadcasting has been organized as a business throughout much of the twentieth century, and focuses on the aesthetics of programming over the years.

The book surveys four key broadcasting periods from 1921 to 1996, and includes coverage of the recent impact of cable TV and home video. It presents new data from collections at the Library of Congress and the Library of American Broadcasting. Eschewing traditional coverage of FCC decisions and the physical nature of broadcasting, the book considers issues of race, class, and gender while situating the industry firmly within the context of politics, society, and culture.

Ideal for anyone seeking a readable history of the field, the book provides the most current coverage available.