Looks beyond broadcasting's mainstream, toward cable's alternatives, to critically consider the capacity of commercial media to serve the public interest. This work offers an overview of the industry's history and regulatory trends, case studies of cable newcomers aimed at niche markets, and analyses of programming forms introduced by cable TV.

"Dennis Deninger has succeeded in covering the full gamut of sports television and sports broadcasting. The book proceeds from why this book needs to be written, to the history of the industry and discipline, the pioneering events of sports broadcasting and sports television, to a nuts-and bolts, behind-the-scenes look at a sports television production. Its potential audience includes academics, practitioners and the casual reader. This book provides an all-encompassing view of the sports television industry"-- Provided by publisher.