This study reviews the literature on the effects of television viewing on children, examines the preferences of children for television programs and commercials, and analyzes selected characteristics of these programs. A stratified sample of 1,416 students in grades 1-6 in six eastern states was polled on their viewing preferences in November of 1988. It was found that: (1) students liked prime-time family type situation comedies best; (2) while no specific commercial was picked by more than 3% of the students, commercials for soda and sugared products were selected as the favorite of 17% of the students; and (3) analyses of the children's four favorite programs indicated that smoking, drinking, and violent behavior did not usually occur on these programs. The researchers concluded that parents should limit the television viewing of their children. The text is supplemented by 13 tables, and copies of the survey instruments are provided. (35 references) (Author/EW)