The SAGE handbook of television studies /

Though in his introduction to this handbook Toby Miller (one of the four editors) acknowledges the "lack [of] a global set of contributors," this book does an admirable job of covering the world of television media studies. Part 1, "Ownership and Regulation," provides in-depth analysis of many of the television systems in place around the world. The other three parts--"Makers and Making," "Cultural Forms," "Audiences, Reception, Consumption"--will assist those seeking to gain a basic knowledge of television in the contemporary world. That said, the current "radical shift" (as the book calls it) to online media and mobile devices is only peripherally covered and explained away as not yet significant (i.e., in just the time it took to compile and publish this text, a global change has taken place in terms of television as traditionally known). A particularly well-written chapter by Oliver Boyd-Barrett, "From Network to Post-Network Age of US Television News," should be required reading for all college students, not just television studies majors. This volume provides a good introduction to television studies and a wealth of reference sources. Though some of the reference sources appear to be a bit dated, for students of media history they will provide a good background. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty. --James M. King, emeritus, University of Georgia