Keywords

Uses and Gratifications, Television, Internet, Message Boards, Online Forums

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between television shows and their corresponding websites featuring interactive message boards looking at the motivations and gratifications that users cited as reasons for being connected to a program. Information found provides knowledge on why viewers are drawn to TV, and what rewards they gain from the actions they perform beyond viewing the show. Specifically, this study examines if viewing a television show and discussing it on an online message board created the gratification of a greater sense of emotional attachment with the show, and if this sense of heightened emotional connection encouraged the board user to take action or become involved in some other manner other than just viewing TV. A survey featuring Likert Scale and free response options in reference to the participants' television viewing and Internet usage habits was distributed to undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida, and also to the general population with an Internet survey. Information gained from this study will aid television producers and creators to better understand the habits of their message board audiences, and what actions could be taken to entice more viewers to view extra content in relation to the TV show, and how to get users to be more interactive with their product. By providing information about message boards' abilities to encourage emotion and action, more satisfying content can be created by the producers, and the users can gain a greater understanding of their media consumption.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2009

Advisor

Brown, Timothy

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Nicholson School of Communication

Degree Program

Communication

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0002671

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0002671

Language

English

Release Date

September 2009

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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Included in

Communication Commons

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