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Awareness of Freedom House Ambulance Service, historically overlooked, surged after "The Pitt"

A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that a single TV episode sparked a surge in awareness and conversations about the historic ambulance service. Online search trends and social media conversations revealed how entertainment media can spark curiosity and learning about forgotten topics.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·TypeContent analysis·DateJun 17, 2026

Study finds high school journalism leading the way in financial literacy, even if business isn't part of curriculum

A study by the University of Kansas found that high school journalists learn business skills through practice and experiential learning, even if business concepts are not directly addressed. Student media advisers reported financial pressures and stressed the need for improved financial literacy education.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournalism & Mass Communication Educator·TypeSurvey·DateApr 21, 2026

FAU study: how unsupervised screen time harms vulnerable preschoolers

A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalResearch on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 6, 2026

Students with lower self-control tend to procrastinate with short-form video; sleep suffers, but not grades, study finds

A study found that college students with lower self-control and habitual use of short-form videos experience poorer sleep health and higher stress, but not diminished academic performance. Researchers suggest that institutions of higher learning and society can help by providing holistic mental health and student health outreach services.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalCyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking·TypeSurvey·DateMar 9, 2026

People with “binge-watching addiction” are more likely to be lonely

A study published in PLOS found that individuals with binge-watching addiction are more likely to experience loneliness. The researchers discovered an association between increased loneliness and higher levels of binge-watching addiction, suggesting that people may engage in this behavior as a coping mechanism for emotional distress.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateJan 21, 2026

Weekly episode releases drive higher viewer engagement and subscriptions on streaming platforms, study finds

A new study in Marketing Science reveals that gradually releasing TV show episodes leads to higher viewer engagement and substantially higher subscription rates on SVoD platforms. Drip-release strategies keep viewers engaged for weeks, expanding content discovery and strengthening retention.

Research alert: When life imitates art: Google searches for anxiety drug spike during run of The White Lotus TV show

A recent study found that Google searches for lorazepam increased by 1.6 million over a 12-week period during the airing of The White Lotus, compared to normal expectations. The show's portrayal of lorazepam use was associated with this surge in interest, including queries on how to acquire it online.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Health Forum·DateNov 14, 2025

Your trust in government shapes where you get your news

Citizens' perceptions of government effectiveness play a crucial role in shaping media choices during times of conflict, according to new research. Exposure to violence alone doesn't significantly impact trust in non-regime media; instead, citizens turn to alternative sources when they believe the state has failed to protect them.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalMedia War & Conflict·TypeSurvey·DateSep 30, 2025

For video-on-demand platforms, release strategy matters: streaming episodes gradually boosts consumers’ searches, subscription rates

A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that gradually releasing TV shows increases consumer engagement and subscription rates. Participants in the gradual-release group were 48% more likely to continue using the platform than those in the all-at-once release group, leading to increased subscription retention.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalMarketing Science·DateSep 8, 2025

Local news services need to adapt or face extinction: report

A new report from RMIT University and the University of Canberra proposes that local news organisations must adapt to their audiences' shifting news habits. The report recommends embracing community-driven content, including hyperlocal news, human-interest stories, and practical information.

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournalism Practice·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 27, 2025

Rise in gun violence in top U.S. movies parallels growth in gun homicides among young people

A study by Annenberg Public Policy Center found that firearm use in popular US movies increased by 200% from 2000 to 2021, mirroring the rise in firearm homicide rates among young people aged 15-24. The research suggests that portrayal of guns in entertainment may play a role in promoting their use for violent purposes.

Animal behavior: Dog TV viewing habits vary by personality

Research found that dog TV viewing habits differ by personality, with excitable dogs more likely to follow on-screen objects and fearful dogs reacting to car horns or doorbells. The study, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that engaging with TV could provide dogs with an enriching experience.

SourceScientific Reports·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateJul 17, 2025

Live, laugh, lotus: Why group texting during ‘The White Lotus’ feels so good

New research reveals that second-screening can create a sense of social connection, increasing engagement and repeat viewing intentions. When viewers are alone, reaching for their phone can deepen the experience by connecting with others in real-time. In contrast, second-screen use creates a disconnect when shared with others.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPsychology and Marketing·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 13, 2025

Violence on TV: What happens to children who watch?

A new study found that early exposure to violent TV content in childhood is associated with increased risk of antisocial behavior in teenagers, especially boys. The study, led by Professor Linda Pagani, followed over 1,900 children from ages 3.5 to 15 and found that boys who watched more violent TV content had higher rates of aggressiv...

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·DateJan 20, 2025

Animal characters can boost young children’s psychological development, study suggests

A recent study suggests that iconic animal characters can influence children's theory of mind skills, with younger children performing better on tests featuring animal characters. The research also highlights the importance of adapting educational activities to incorporate both human and non-human characters for optimal development.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Experimental Child Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2024

People infer the past better than the future, study finds

A Dartmouth-led study found that people are more skilled at inferring past events from conversations than predicting future events. This phenomenon is attributed to the asymmetrical nature of human knowledge about their own lives and experiences, which influences how people converse.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateOct 2, 2024

Kids let down by streaming algorithms: research

Kids are missing out on local content due to algorithmic curation and platform interfaces. Researchers found US-based global streaming video platforms like Netflix and YouTube restrict children's access to available local options.

SourceRMIT University·JournalConvergence The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies·TypeObservational study·DateAug 20, 2024

Two new studies led by Lewis Katz School of Medicine’s Dr. Jessica Beard more closely examine how reports of community firearm violence are framed on local television news in Philadelphia

New studies published in Preventive Medicine Reports and BMC Public Health found that segments about community firearm violence on local television news are often demographically and geographically unrepresentative. They also frequently contain harmful elements, such as blame of victims or reinforcement of racist stereotypes, which can...

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·DateMay 7, 2024

News media trigger conflict for romantic couples with differing political views

A study by University of Illinois professor Emily Van Duyn found that news media consumption can trigger conflicts in couples with differing political views. Couples often struggle to decide which media to follow, leading to disagreements over news sources and content. This conflict can also affect the relationship, causing individuals...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalPolitical Communication·TypeSurvey·DateJan 12, 2024

NIH grant led by Lewis Katz School of Medicine’s Dr. Jessica Beard will examine racial and spatial disparities in harmful news media reporting on community firearm violence

A new NIH grant will investigate how news media reports on community firearm violence affect survivors, communities, and policymakers. The research aims to develop evidence-based guidelines for safer reporting, inspired by successful approaches for other traumatic events.

Behind the scenes of social class on TV

A team of researchers from the University of Leeds is studying how social class influences TV shows and their reception by audiences. The study will consider the backgrounds of producers, talent, and crew members, as well as how shows represent class and are understood by viewers.