Channel One and the Education of American Youths

In 1990, Channel One, the 12-minute commercial news program for schoolchildren, was launched into middle and high schools across the United States. This article analyzes research investigating the alleged benefits of Channel One—the technology, student learning of current events, increased student interest in the news—and the major cost—the advertising. It concludes that outside uses for the technology remain modest. While the program can enhance students' learning of current events and spark their interest in the news, its ability to do so is largely dependent on supplemental activities by teachers. Teachers are constrained in their use by organizational factors and restrictive terms of the Channel One contract. More difficult to assess, due to limited research in this area, are the costs associated with Channel One's advertising to young people in a school setting.