Motivations for watching television were compared for 128 hearing and 178 hearing impaired freshman students at a technical college. The questionnaire consisted of 31 television viewing motivation items, a list of program titles for frequency and enjoyment information, attitudinal statements, and demographic items. Ss reported the amount of time they watched TV on an average daily basis. Factor analysis revealed seven motives, three of which were significantly different for hearing and hearing impaired Ss: viewing for learning and information, viewing for arousal or excitement, and viewing for companionship. Deaf Ss were more likely to view TV for the purpose of learning and information. Viewing for arousal or excitement and viewing for companionship were among the best predictors of the respondents' attachment to the medium, their amount of daily television consumption, and their perception of TV's reality in portraying life. (CL)