All television is educational. This quote by Nicholas Johnson, former chief of the Federal Communications Commission, points out the enormous influence television has on our contemporary society. Unfortunately, this great electronic teacher has been largely enlisted in the service of maximizing profits for the company owners who control the medium. Television communicates important value messages, especially to children. But the messages are influenced by the main goal of television-profit.
Television is a business.
Broadcast TV is paid for by advertisers who have products and services to sell. The more money they charge, the higher their profits. In order to increase their markets, programmers must capture and hold the viewer's attention long enough for advertisers to sell their messages. If a program is going to grab and keep your attention, It must arouse you emotionally. Consequently, television producers try to stimulate powerful emotions, and certain things work more reliably than others.