The population of people who are more than sixty-five years of age (often labeled "older adults") is estimated to grow to 37 million in the United States by 2015, an increase of 78 percent over the size of the population in the mid-1970s. As this age group expands, so does interest in the leisure activities and lifestyles of older adults. In part because watching television is the leisure activity that occupies the most time per week for older adults, media researchers have investigated the patterns and effects of media use in this age group.

Aging and Levels of Viewing

It is generally accepted that elderly adults watch more television than any other age group. According to Nielsen data, the average level of viewing among adults who are sixty-five years of age or older is between four and five hours per day—compared to two...