Much distress when shows go off the air.

• Position: Television Programming - Brief article

Even temporary "breakups" can be distressing for some people--at least when it comes to their favorite television programs. A study published in Mass Communication and Society examining how viewers react when new episodes of their favorite shows go off the air or are replaced with re-runs reveals the important role television plays in the lives of some viewers.

This particularly is true of those who use TV for companionship and feel they have a strong "relationship" with their favorite television characters.

For social critics who think that less time spent with the media probably is a good thing, the results may be disappointing, as TV viewers who are denied their favorite shows basically replace the lime with other media activities, such as using the Internet or watching...