ABSTRACT
Commercials may be clever or annoying, but their sheer volume has made them a dominant cultural force. Non-commercial public television (TV) no longer provides a refuge for ad-bettered consumers; commercialism. Television broadcasting is a largely private, for-profit enterprise supported almost entirely by ad revenues. The airwaves, many argued, were a public resource, and broadcasting should be regarded as a public utility. Many sneered at their kitschy ambiance and silly products, but home-shopping networks amassed fortunes. Traditional programmers are also taking on the home-shopping format. Home-shopping channels make their millions by encouraging viewers to buy on impulse. Several communities have organized "no-TV weeks" to help raise consciousness about the tube's negative effects. Such events can help remind people that there is more to life than television. Many sneered at their kitschy ambiance and silly products, but home-shopping networks amassed fortunes. Corporate dollars buy more than advertising on public broadcast stations; they also influence the content of programming.
