ABSTRACT
In Israel, TV has assumed the primary role in pure leisure since its introduction in 1968. Even in the pre-video era, TV accounted for 20% of all "free-time" activities in the daily schedule of Israeli youth and up to 40% of all "pure" leisure. Adolescence is viewed as a critical period for the development of self-concept, in the search for identity, and for integration into society. These processes are based heavily on social interaction, leisure and youth activities constitute a central context for testing, accepting and forming new identities. The innovation of video is far more than a quantitative extension of existing media. It allows the individual to control choice of content, viewing time and place, and recording and replaying, all independent of outside factors. Israeli telecasting in Hebrew for the general public is limited to six hours daily, including entertainment, children's and youth programs and the news. This is substantially less than the fare offered in most other countries.
