The four novels, Journey to the West , A Dream of the Red Mansions , Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Outlaws on the Marsh , are considered the four classic Chinese novels. For centuries, they have enjoyed great popularity among Chinese both at home and overseas, and also among some foreigners around the world. But in print, none of the novels has aroused such notice in such a large audience as did the recent TV serial. This paper does not look to conclude which medium is better but only to examine some characteristics of the media of TV and print and to illustrate and compare their effects on viewers and readers of Outlaws . TV, as the most prevalent medium, has now come into almost all Chinese homes.
Television sets are everywhere.
Once a TV is turned on, whether you like them or not, whether you need them or not, the programs come to you. You sit there, open your eyes and ears and take them in. The only selection you can make is the channel. Outlaws on the Marsh was screened on CCTV's first channel at prime time which was the most screened channel and time. Within days, the program attracted an unprecedented 900 million Chinese viewers.