The eleven essays in Interpreting Television form an up-to-date collection of critical and cultural approaches to television research. In contrast to more traditional empirical television studies, it shows how recent changes in communication research have influenced researchers to view television as a social process. Rowland and Watkins point out that their book′s primary focus is on television as a ′creator and conveyor of meaning, as a text through which to interpret the culture and society in which it exists.′

`The sheer expanse of the material covered is impressive...Rowland makes an outstanding contribution to the understanding of the dynamics of the debate on violence and television.′ -- Political Science Quarterly, Fall 1984

`...a worthwhile addition to the shelf of material on critical approaches to television content.′ -- Communication Book Notes, March 1985