The impact of new/digital media on TV: blog task

The impact of new/digital media on TV: blog task

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?

The company and financing and advertising involved with making a product. 

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

• Cultural industries have moved closer to the centre of economic action

•There has been an increase in media corporations owning companies in different sectors of the industry

• Globalization has meant media texts can circulate more easily across borders reducing North American dominance

• Deregulation has reduced public ownership

• Advertising ‘dollars’ have significantly increased as has cross promotion within texts

• Digitisation has allowed the technology sector to compete directly with traditional media companies

• Niche audiences are increasingly targeted.

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

-synergy began to be used more often
-the first media industry to be affected was music because of the free streaming/downloading
-tech companies are now able to compete with media companies

4) What is technological convergence?

When devices are merged together into one device.

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

They offer binging and on-demand services that are more appealing than the traditional methods of TV.

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

Next year 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?

130.

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?

"For example, take the monster in Stranger Things named (by the kids) the ‘Demogorgon’ after a Dungeons & Dragons demon prince. To ensure that connection transcended language barriers, Netflix’s team dug into old D&D materials to nail down how various cultures translated ‘Demogorgon’ in the mid-1970s."

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

Yes because they are diversifying in order to keep up with the times and stay afloat in the free market. 

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

They were created with the intention of being viewed in quick succession.