Writing in  the current issue of Television Quarterly, new-media expert John V. Pavlik notes that the

video-game industry has swelled to nearly $18 billion in annual sales and $30 billion worldwide.

While observing that many popular video games like Grand Theft Auto feature such violent and

criminal behavior as armed robbery and sexual assault, there is increasing evidence of beneficial uses.

For example,  laparoscopic surgeons who spend at least three hours a week playing video games improve their eye-hand coordination and make substantially fewer mistakes.

Other highlights of Television Quarterly include “Is PBS Still Necessary?,” an interview with Neal Shapiro,

the veteran commercial television news executive who now heads New York City’s public stations;  “When

All-Digital TV Arrives, Will We Be Ready?” by Peter Seel, who notes that there is a major knowledge gap

among U.S. citizens about a change that will affect every TV household in the nation; and two views about human

rights and the Beijing Olympics.

Television Quarterly is published by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Available online at www.tvquarterly.tv. Hard-copy subscription $30 annually, $8 per issue.

For further information: Fritz Jacobi, (212) 873-1785. 7/31/08