The impact of new/digital media on TV

Go to our Media Magazine archive and read the article on Netflix and the Cultural Industries (MM63 - page 45). Create a blogpost called 'The impact of new/digital media on TV' and answer the following questions:

1) What does the 'industry' concept in A Level Media Studies refer to?

It refers to businesses creating and distributing media texts. It also refers to the media production process and the legal frameworks surrounding the media.

2) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?

David Hesmondhalgh argues that cultural production has changed dramatically. His argument refers to the role of cultural industries and how they approached the center of economic action. He also acknowledges the fact that digitization has caused traditional media companies to compete with the technology industry.

3) Choose the three most significant points Hesmondhalgh makes regarding the changing cultural industries. Why are these the most significant in your view?

Globalization has meant that on platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, texts like TV dramas are available. This shows how texts are made more accessible to the public, and viewers around the world can watch programs whenever they are convenient.

Backed by advertising revenues, Aphabet (Google's parent company) and Facebook have become two of the world's largest media companies, suggesting how big businesses used advertising revenues to expand their businesses and make the most of advertising. 

As a result of new technology, more 'highbrow' forms entertainment have been broadcast on a wider scale. This reflects the global nature of TV dramas and how audiences. Perhaps this means that in the future, things that are considered niche may become mainstream.

4) What is technological convergence? 

Technical convergence is when the digitisation of media resulted in every form of media being available on computers. This eventually meant that companies would potentially become media media companies and compete with others.

5) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?

Companies like Amazon have started producing their own content to challenge traditional broadcasting methods in the tv industry. For instance, Amazon started creating its own TV programs, similar to how netflix started developing its own shows .

6) What budgets will Netflix, Amazon and Apple spend on original programming next year according to the article?

Netflix plans to spend $8bn on original material
 Amazon’s budget is estimated at $4.5bn. 
Apple has recently joined the fray with a $1bn spend.

7) How many countries are Netflix and Amazon available in?

Netflix is available in 190 countries, and Amazon is available in 200 countries.

8) The global nature of modern television means producers are having to consider international audiences when creating content. What example from Netflix does the article use to explain this?

Stranger Things. In order to make this show accessible to international audience, the monster in the show was names "demogorgon" which is from the game Dungeons and Dragons. It helps to make people from other countries relate to the show.

9) Do you think technology companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry?

I feel like in a few years time they are going to concure the intire industry, and breadcasting TV would simply stop existing.

10) How do changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83? How?

In order to attract a wider audience, producers of TV dramas such as Deutschland 83 and Capital may include various aspects in their productions.