TV Survey

Your answers to this survey are confidential. If you have questions about the survey, please send mail to mailto:fergusond@cofc.edu

 To navigate the rectangular fill-in boxes, use the mouse. You can also use the TAB key to move forward (SHIFT-TAB to move backwards).
 
 

1. Your 5-digit postal zip code, where you live right now?
   
2. Do you have a personal computer where you live right now?
   No Yes  Don't Know/No Answer
    
3. Do you have internet access where you live right now?
   No Yes  Don't Know/No Answer
    
4. Do you have a videocassette recorder (VCR) where you live right now?
   No Yes  Don't Know/No Answer
    
5. About how many minutes did you watch television yesterday morning ?
   minutes
    
6. About how many minutes did you watch television yesterday afternoon ?
   minutes
    
7. About how many minutes did you watch television last night?
   minutes
    
8. You may not have watched television the same amount of time yesterday as you usually do. About how many minutes do you usually watch television on the average weekday? (remember to calculate morning, afternoon, and night)
   minutes
    
9. Think about the last time that you watched television. About how many different channels did you watch for 5 minutes or more?
   channels
    
10. You may have watched more or fewer channels than you usually do the last time that you watched television. If so, about how many channels do you usually watch for 5 minutes or more?
    channels

    Based on your own reasons for watching television, tell me how much you agree or disagree with the following statements.

    There are nine selections on a scale of TOTAL DISAGREEMENT to TOTAL AGREEMENT, with the less extreme agreement or disagreement toward the center circle. The center circle means "neither agree nor disagree."
     

11. I enjoy electronic gadgets associated with my television.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
12. I am more interested in television than most people I know.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
13. My views on television are very typical of most people.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
14. I watch television because it helps me learn things about myself and others.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
15. I watch television because it gives me something to occupy my time.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
16. I watch television just because it is available.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
17. I watch television when I have nothing better to do.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
18. I watch television because it entertains me.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
19. I watch television because it's thrilling.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
20. I watch television when there is no one else to talk or be with.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
21. I watch television because it passes the time away, particularly when I am bored.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
22. I watch television because it's enjoyable.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
23. I watch television so I can get away from the family or others.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
24. I watch television so I can talk with others about what I find.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
25. I watch television because it's exciting.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
26. I watch television because it makes me feel less lonely.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
27. I watch television because it's a habit, just something I do.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
28. I watch television because it amuses me.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
29. I watch television so I can learn about what could happen to me.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
30. I watch television because it relaxes me.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
31. I watch television so I won't have to feel alone.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
32. I watch television because I just like to do it.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
33. I watch television because it allows me to unwind.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
34. I watch television so I can see the shows that my friends tell me about.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
35. I watch television so I can can forget about school, work or other things.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
36. I watch television because it's a pleasant rest.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
37. I watch television so I can be with my friends and family.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
38. I watch television so I can learn how to do things that I haven't done before.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
39. I watch television because it peps me up.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
40. I watch television so I can get away from what I'm doing.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
41. How valuable did you find your television viewing in the past week?
    WORTHLESS  ESSENTIAL  DK/NA
     
     
42. I would rather watch television than do anything else.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
43. When I watch television, I usually think hard like I'm studying a book.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
44. I could easily do without watching television for several days.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
45. When I watch television, I try to concentrate on each program.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
46. I would feel lost without the television to watch.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
47. I put a lot of mental effort into my television viewing.
    DISAGREE  AGREE DK/NA
     
     
48. Whenever I'm unable to watch television, I really miss it.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
49. Watching television is one of the more important things I do each day.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
50. How pleasing was your television watching during the past week?
    NOT AT ALL  COMPLETELY  DK/NA
     
     
51. Watching television helps me learn things that can help me.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
52. Watching television helps me pass the time.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
53. Watching television keeps me company.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
54. Watching television helps me forget about my work and worries.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
55. Watching television helps me relax.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
56. Watching television TV entertains me.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
57. Watching television TV peps me up.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
     
58. How satisfied were you with your television viewing during the past week?
    NOT AT ALL COMPLETELY DK/NA
     
    A personal video recorder (PVR) is also known as a DVR (digital video recorder).  Although the abbreviation is PVR is most often used to describe the TiVo brand, this survey uses the abbreviation DVR while recognizing the two abbreviations are equal. 
     
59. Do you have a digital video recorder (DVR) such as TiVo, ReplayTV, UltimateTV, DISHplayer, or Showstopper where you live right now?
    No Yes  Don't Know/No Answer

    (If your answer to the last question was "No" please skip ahead to question #111)
     

60. What is the maximum number of hours that your DVR records?
    
     
61. How often do you use your DVR?
    Daily
    Often
    Sometimes
    Rarely
    Never
    DK/NA
    
    
62. Which of the following best describes how you pay your subscription fee for DVR programming?
    Monthly billing
    Annual billing
    Lifetime susbscription
    DK/NA
     
63. How easy or difficult did you find the installation process for your DVR?
    VERY DIFFICULT  VERY EASY  DK/NA
     
64. Converting years into months, how many months have you been using a DVR?  
    
    

    People use a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) in many different ways. How often do you use the following features of your DVR?

    An important reminder: The word ALWAYS below does not mean  you "always" can do something, but is a measure of "how often" you actually do it.  Thus, ALWAYS means "very frequently, bordering on ALL  THE TIME."
    

65. I pause live programs.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
66. I record and watch programs that are scheduled at inconvenient times.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
67. I use the on-screen program guides provided to choose which shows to watch.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
68. I use the on-screen schedule to choose which programs to record with my DVR.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
69. I instruct the DVR which programs I like.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
70. I read the on-screen schedule updates.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
71. I transfer programs from the DVR to more permanent storage, such as a VCR.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
72. I fast-forward past commercials.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
73. I fast-forward past unwanted program segments.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
74. I fast-forward past unwanted people.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
75. I use the instant-replay button.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
76. I use the slow-motion speed.
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA

    Regarding your use of the DVR, how do you disagree or agree with the following statements.  As before, the center circle means "neither agree nor disagree."
     

77. I find watching TV more enjoyable with my DVR than before I started using one.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
78. I record more programs with my DVR than I did with my VCR.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
79. I find recording programs with my DVR easier than with my VCR.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
80. I feel greater control with my DVR.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
81. I do less channel surfing with my DVR.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
82. I am less likely to watch commercials with my DVR.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
83. Getting a season-pass for my favorite show(s) has made me less aware of network scheduling.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
     
84. I watch less "live" TV than before I got my DVR.
    DISAGREE  AGREE  DK/NA
    

    Looking again at how often you use certain DVR features, please answer the following:  

85. [TIVO owners only] How often do you use the thumbs-up/thumbs-down feature?
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
86. [TIVO owners only] How often do you use the suggestions feature?
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
87. [TIVO owners only] How often do you use the network showcases feature?
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
88. How often (assuming your DVR can do this) do you use the "skip 30 seconds" feature?
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
89. How often do you record programs with your DVR?
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
90. Before you got your DVR, how often did you tape programs with your VCR?
    NEVER  ALWAYS  DK/NA
     
91. How would you prefer to search for programs with your DCR, regardless of your present DVR's capabilities?
    By actor
    By director
    By title
    By program description
    By day and time
    By channel
    By type of show (genre)
    DK/NA
    
    Now, here are several statements that people give for using their DVR. Please indicate how useful you think the DVR is for fulfilling each of these needs.
    
    
    
92. The DVR is useful to feel excited  
    Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
    
    
93. The DVR is useful to feel less lonely
    Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
    
    
94. The DVR is useful to obtain information that I can use either personally or professionally        
    Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA        
    
    
95. The DVR is useful to satisfy a habit
    Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
    
    
96. The DVR is useful to pass time away, particularly when I’m bored
    Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
    
    
97. The DVR is useful to let others know I care about their feelings
    Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
    
    
98. The DVR is useful to relax
    Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
               
99. The DVR is useful to be entertained
    Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
    
    
100. The DVR is useful to forget about work or other things
     Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
     
     
101. The DVR is useful to have something to do with friends
     Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
     
     
102. The DVR is useful to get someone to do something for me
     Extremely Useful  Very Useful  Somewhat Useful  Not Very Useful  Not at All DK/NA
     
     

     In this next section we would like you indicate your feelings about DVRs. For this communication channel, please select the circle between the pair of words that most closely represents your feelings.

     DVR

103.   Impersonal Personal     DK/NA    
     
104.   Convenient Inconvenient DK/NA   
     
105.       Active Inactive     DK/NA   
     
106.  Insensitive Sensitive    DK/NA   
     
107.     Sociable Unsociable   DK/NA   
     
108.     Familiar Unfamiliar   DK/NA   
     
109.  Inexpensive Expensive    DK/NA   
     
110.      In-Home Out of Home  DK/NA   
      
111. What television channels have you watched for 5 minutes or more in the past week?
     (Check all the apply)

     A&E Network
     ABC
     All News Channel
     American Movie Classics (AMC)
     Animal Planet
     BBC America
     BET MOVIES
     Black Entertainment Television (BET)
     Bloomberg Television
     Boomerang
     Bravo
     Cartoon Network
     CBS
     Cinemax
     Cinemax MoreMAX
     CNBC
     CNN
     CNN/Sports Illustrated
     CNNfn/CNN International
     Comedy Central
     Country Music Television (CMT)
     Court TV
     C-SPAN
     C-SPAN2
     Discovery Channel
     Discovery Health Channel
     Discovery Kids Channel
     Disney Channel
     DIY (Do It Yourself)
     E! Entertainment Television
     Empire Sports Network
     Encore
     Encore Action
     Encore Love Stories
     Encore Mystery
     Encore True Stories
     Encore WAM!
     Encore Westerns
     ESPN
     ESPN Classic
     ESPN FULL COURT
     ESPN GamePlan
     ESPN2
     ESPNEWS
     FLIX
     Food Network
     FOX
     Family Channel
     FOX Movie Channel
     Fox News Channel
     FOX Sports
     FOX Sports World
     FX
     Galavision
     Game Show Network
     Golf Channel
     HBO
     HBO Family
     HBO Plus
     HBO Signature
     Headline News
     Health Network
     History Channel
     Home & Garden Television (HGTV)
     Home Shopping Network (HSN)
     Home Team Sports (HTS)
     Independent Film Channel (IFC)
     Learning Channel (TLC)
     Lifetime
     Lifetime Movie Network
     Madison Square Garden (MSG)
     Midwest Sports Channel (MSC)
     MLB EXTRA INNINGS
     MLS/ESPN SHOOTOUT
     Movie Channel (TMC)
     MSNBC
     MTV
     MTV2
     MuchMusic
     NBA LEAGUE PASS
     NBA.com TV
     NBC
     New England Sports Network (NESN)
     Newsworld International
     NFL SUNDAY SNAP
     NFL SUNDAY TICKET
     NFL SUNDAY TICKET EXTRA
     NHL CENTER ICE
     Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite
     Noggin
     Odyssey Network
     Outdoor Life Network
     Oxygen
     PAX
     PBS
     PBS (National Feed)
     PBS KIDS Channel
     PBS YOU
     PLAYBOY TV
     QVC
     Romance Classics
     SCI FI Channel
     SHOWTIME
     SHOWTIME Extreme
     SHOWTIME Three
     SHOWTIME Two
     SoapNet
     Speedvision
     STARZ!
     STARZ! Theater
     Sundance Channel
     Sunshine Network
     TBS Superstation
     The Biography Channel
     The National Network (TNN) also known as Spike [First Network for Men]
     The Weather Channel
     TNT
     Toon Disney
     Travel Channel
     Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)
     TRIO
     Turner Classic Movies (TCM)
     TV Land
     Univision
     UPN
     USA Network
     ValueVision
     VH1
     WB, The
     WGN Superstation
     WNBA SEASON PASS
     Word Network
     WorldLink TV
     ZDTV
      

     
      

112. How old were you on your last birthday? 
     
     
113. What level of education have you completed?
     Some High School
     High School
     Some College
     College Grad
     Beyond College        DK/NA
      
      
      
114. Please indicate your gender.
     Male
     Female      No Answer

     Thank you for completing the survey!