Fourteen statements relating to the surveillance, diversion, and social interaction uses of media were drawn from a review of uses and gratification research and applied to the viewing of local and national early evening news and nighttime local news television programs. A telephone survey of 543 adults elicited information concerning demographics and media usage, as well as reactions to the uses and gratifications statements. Overall, the results showed that the three types of newscasts served different purposes and that some of these differences were detectable through the uses and gratifications research perspective. Specifically, the findings showed that watching both local and national early evening news programs was related to surveillance of the environment while watching television in general was related to diversion from that environment. Watching local early evening news was also found to be related to diversion and acquiring materials for personal discussions, while watching early evening national news was more related to interaction with the larger social environment. Late night news was used primarily by viewers as a means of gathering information for social interaction or as a substitute for human companionship. (FL)