1) What does the 'industry' concept in A Level Media Studies refer to?
The industry concepts refers to the companies that create and distribute media texts, the standard practices of media production as well as the regulatory and legal frameworks in which the companies operate.
2) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?
Hesmondhalgh argues that since the 1980s there's been a significant shift in cultural production. He covers wide range of topics in his book and some of his main points are: 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, Globalisation has meant media texts can circulate more easily across borders reducing North American dominance, Deregulation has reduced public ownership and Nice 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?
- Digitisation has allowed the technology sector to compete directly with traditional media companies- This shows how far technology has come, it has gotten to the point where even media companies who have been around for ages are having to fight for their spot because of the uprising of technology in media.
- Globalisation has meant media texts can circulate more easily across borders reducing North America dominance
- There has been an increase in media corporations owning companies in different sectors of the industry
Digitisation's first major impact was on the music industry with the creation of CD's in the early 1980's, it was the growth of home computing and the creation of the World Wide Wed, which then led to increased technological convergence; digitisation of media meant every media could be accessed on computers which eventually led to tech companies being able to compete directly with media companies and even become media companies.
5) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?
Digitisation and the ability to distribute texts via the internet meant that technology companies could challenge traditional broadcasters. E.g. Amazon now produces its own 'television' programmes from broadcasters schedules with on-demand viewing. Netflix came to the realisation that it needed to create its own online subscription service, therefore places like Blockbuster went bust after broadband connections facilitated video streaming.
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 with a $1bn spend.
7) How many countries are Netflix and Amazon available in?
In 2016 Netflix simultaneously launched its service in 130 new countries, bringing its total to 190 and Amazon opened in 200. Going global means they have to pay the license to broadcast individual shows in different 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?
The monster in Stranger Things the Demagorgon after a Dungeons and 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 Demagorgon was renamed in some parts of the world based on what the demon prince was called. They also use the actors that regularly voice particular performers in foreign language versions.
9) Do you think technology companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry?
I believe so as the world is becoming so technologically focused it would be hard for these companies to not keep up with these changes and profit from them. For example, in 2017 Facebook launched Watch, which hosted original reality TV programming. However Google can still do fine as they have YouTube which is popular all around the world and is taking over regular TV as younger generations enjoy watching their favourite YouTuber these days instead of their 'favourite channel'.
10) How do changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83? How?
Deutschland 83 and Capital include different aspects to appeal to a wider audience. For example Capital features a selection of characters from different cultures which appeals to audiences all around the world and Deutschland 83 being a foreign language drama means it highlights the global nature of television as a whole across the world.
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