Abstract:

Most television programmes can be classified into two main programme types, Information and Entertainment. Information programmes tend to get smaller audiences but higher appreciation scores than do Entertainment programmes. Between these two main programme types, the correlation of audience appreciation with audience size is therefore negative. But for different programmes of the same type the correlation is positive, though low. Higher appreciation scores tend to go to the programmes with the larger audiences. A theoretical interpretation is that the more demanding a pro- gramme is, the more interesting and/or enjoyable it has to be before people will watch it.