This article discusses the combination of influences on the focus and direction of Italian media research after its beginnings over thirty years ago, through the 1970s and up to and including current research efforts. During the 1950s and 1960s, Catholic culture was a strong influence and this combined with normative goals in the research commissioned by RAI. An important political and ideological debate on the future of the Italian broadcasting system influenced the direction and subjects of research in the 1970s. Present day research seems more influenced by the start of competition between public service broadcasting and commercial networks in Italy.