Abstract: Television program quality research began at 1940’s, different indices were designed to evaluate program quality in different countries, such as Appreciation Index, Television Quotient, Enjoyment Index, Worthwhile Index, Interest Index, Audience Satisfaction etc. After having an overview of the history, main results and developments on Television program quality research, the article systematically introduced the most impressive Appreciation Index survey, and the relations between Appreciation Index and Television rating, program types, audience demography etc. Finally, the article analyzed and summarized the deficiencies of present researches

Key words: television program quality, appreciation index, television rating