When Quantum Leap first aired, people saw the commercials (for ex. mattind69v3, 1989/2013) and read the reviews (for ex. Haithman, 1989). Magazines covered the show during its run: Maclean’s, for instance, reported on a controversial episode (Dwyer, 1992). In time scholars, such as Wiggins (1993), studied the series. Let’s not forget the books written for fans (Barrett, 1995).
An information source is created in a time–no pun intended– and place. The information cycle helps us see this context.
References
Barrett, J. (1995). Quantum Leap: A-Z. New York, NY: Boulevard Books.
Dwyer, V. (1992, March 2). Prime-time sparks. Maclean’s, 105(9), 52-53. Retrieved from http://www.macleans.ca/
Haithman, D. (1989, March 25). NBC’s time travel fantasy a `Quantum Leap’ of faith. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/
mattind69v3. (2013). Quantum Leap pre-season 1 promo commercial for the pilot episode (Originally aired 1989). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/g8dftxDx_j4
Wiggins, K. M. (1993). Epic heroes, ethical issues, and time paradoxes in Quantum Leap. Journal Of Popular Film & Television, 21(3), 111-121. doi: 10.1080/01956051.1993.9943979