Question

“The increase in the number of reality shows on television channels bolsters the contention that channel owners are more interested in boosting their revenues by pandering to voyeuristic tendencies of viewers.” The premise behind the above argument is that

• A. reality shows on television channels are a recent phenomenon.
• B. everything that channel broadcasts should be educational.
• C. reality shows on television appeal to the basic instincts of viewers.
• D. reality shows make more money than other types of programs.
• E. the channel owners can influence what is watched by the viewers.

Hint:

When a conclusion is “X because money,” the hidden premise is usually “X makes more money than Y.” Look for the choice that explicitly supplies the \textbf{profitability bridge}.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Map claim → needed support.
Claim: Owners prefer reality shows because they want to boost revenues by pandering to voyeurism.
\Rightarrow For the claim to hold, reality shows must be more profitable than alternatives.
Step 2: Test options.
(A) Recency is irrelevant. ✗
(B) Normative statement; unrelated to revenue. ✗
(C) Explains why viewers watch (voyeurism) but not that it yields higher revenue. Missing the money link. ✗
(D) Directly supplies the money link: reality shows yield more revenue. ✓
(E) Influence over viewers is too general; still lacks the profitability bridge. ✗
Step 3: Conclude.
Only (D) provides the premise that financially underwrites the conclusion. \[ \boxed{\text{Option (D)}} \]