This book investigates whether television functions as the primary mechanism for sustaining modern consumer society. Ellis Cashmore, a professor of sociology, utilizes historical analysis and media theory to argue that the medium's success is defined by its ability to drive consumer spending rather than the quality of its entertainment. He posits that the viewer's role has shifted from a passive audience member to a participant in a cycle of commercial consumption.

Scholars in media studies often cite this work for its critical perspective on the commercialization of broadcast media. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a rigorous framework for understanding the intersection of television and consumer culture.