TV: The impact of new/digital media on television

New and digital media has had a huge impact on the television industry in the last 10 years.

Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime have fundamentally changed the way we watch television. In just 10 years, Netflix has gone from a mail-order DVD company to a giant in the television industry. Next year, Netflix plans to spend $8 billion making original TV programmes.

Watch Newsweek magazine's short video on how Netflix changed TV:



TV Drama

One of the key genres for Netflix and Amazon Prime is TV drama. Many of these dramas now have the budgets and production values of Hollywood movies and many top actors are choosing to work in television rather than film.

In addition, the increase in streaming services has created a worldwide distribution network for acclaimed foreign-language TV dramas such as Deutschland 83.

Streaming services and audience

For audiences, streaming has changed the way we watch television. 

'Event TV', when millions of people around the country would tune in to watch the latest episode of a drama at a set time, is far less common now. Many people now 'binge-watch' TV dramas by watching multiple episodes back-to-back.

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?

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

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

4) What is technological convergence? 

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

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

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

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?

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

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

You'll need to complete this for homework - due next week.