1. Visit the NAB & FAIR

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is a powerful organization in the industry. Pick a current issue involving broadcasters (TV or radio) and see what the NAB has to say about it. Now go to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) and look up some of the same issues. How do the views of these two organizations differ? How is the NAB's or FAIR's opinion different from - or the same as — popular opinion?

2. What's on Tonight?

Create a television listing for tonight's viewing options in your hometown. Pick out your three favorite shows.

3. Visit Your Favorite Television Program

Now that you have chosen your programs, pick out your favorite program and visit its official web site. You may need to go through the network web page. What kind of services does the page offer? Does it make you want to watch the program?

4. Visit Your Local Television Station

Increasingly, television stations are going online. Visit your local television station. What are they doing to serve the community? What could they do better?

5. Network Ratings

How popular is your favorite television program? Nielson Media Research collects audience ratings on all television programming in the US and Canada. Visit Nielsonmedia.com and click on "Inside TV Ratings." Then click on the "Top TV Ratings" section of "Ratings and "Data." Are you surprised at the results? How popular is cable programming compared to broadcast television?