As an in-depth topic, we could be asked any kind of question on television - language (e.g. genre or narrative), representation, audience or industry. Aspects of the industry context include the rise in foreign-language television and the impact of digital media (the internet and streaming) on the TV industry.
The rise in foreign-language television
Film School Rejects: The foreign TV dramas you're missing out on
Now read this Film School Rejects feature on the foreign TV dramas you're missing out on. This contains some particularly useful background on Deutschland 83's reception internationally. If the website is blocked, you can access the article text here. Answer the following questions:
1) What does the article tell us about Deutschland 83's release schedule?
2) The article contains important statistics on viewing figures in different countries. What were the German viewing figures for the first and last episode? What were Channel's 4's viewing figures for Deutschland 83?
3) Who are the two production and distribution companies behind Deutschland 83 and what did they announce in October?
4) How does Walter Iuzzolino use social media to engage audiences in new international TV dramas? How does he suggest this has changed the reception of foreign productions in the UK?
Through globalisation and developments in technology, the way we watch television is completely different to even 15 years ago. We need to explore the rise in popularity of foreign-language television and work out why audiences like it and what is behind the recent surge in interest.
Foreign-language television
Foreign-language television is becoming increasingly mainstream with the rise of on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime alongside UK digital channels such as BBC4.
Audiences are now accustomed to 'binge-watching' TV drama and seem increasingly open to content from around the world. This perhaps reflects the global nature of the internet and the fact younger generations are more likely to see themselves as global citizens. It also reflects the global nature of the television industry with a small number of international media conglomerates owning the vast majority of TV production companies.
Walter Presents
‘Walter Presents’ is a video-on-demand (VOD) service from Channel 4, available through their online streaming site All4. The service presents international TV drama curated by Walter Iuzzolino.
The service aims to avoid so-called arthouse programming in favour of more mainstream productions, aimed at competing against Netflix and Amazon Prime. Walter Iuzzolino stated any selected show must be popular in its native country and it must be “award-winning or critically acclaimed”.
Watch the trailer for the ‘Walter Presents’ service and think about the following questions:
Meet Walter promo clip
Channel 4 created a short introductory video for ‘Walter Presents’. Watch the clip and think about the following:
The impact of new and digital media on television
Foreign-language television
Foreign-language television is becoming increasingly mainstream with the rise of on-demand services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime alongside UK digital channels such as BBC4.
Audiences are now accustomed to 'binge-watching' TV drama and seem increasingly open to content from around the world. This perhaps reflects the global nature of the internet and the fact younger generations are more likely to see themselves as global citizens. It also reflects the global nature of the television industry with a small number of international media conglomerates owning the vast majority of TV production companies.
‘Walter Presents’ is a video-on-demand (VOD) service from Channel 4, available through their online streaming site All4. The service presents international TV drama curated by Walter Iuzzolino.
The service aims to avoid so-called arthouse programming in favour of more mainstream productions, aimed at competing against Netflix and Amazon Prime. Walter Iuzzolino stated any selected show must be popular in its native country and it must be “award-winning or critically acclaimed”.
Watch the trailer for the ‘Walter Presents’ service and think about the following questions:
- Close-textual analysis: how does the trailer use film language to encourage the audience to watch?
- What conventions of TV drama are highlighted in the trailer?
- How many clips from Deutschland 83 can you spot?
- What audience pleasures are suggested by the trailer?
Meet Walter promo clip
Channel 4 created a short introductory video for ‘Walter Presents’. Watch the clip and think about the following:
- How is Walter introduced?
- What target audience is this aiming at?
- What audience pleasures are suggested from the promo?
- What does Walter say about TV drama?
The impact of new and digital media on television
New and digital media - the internet - 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. Remember - in just 15 years, Netflix has gone from a mail-order DVD company to a giant in the television content production industry. Netflix now spends upwards of $8 billion a year making original TV programmes - more than the budget for the entire BBC.
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.
For audiences, streaming has changed the way we watch television.
'Event TV' (also known as 'appointment-to-view') is far less common now. This is when millions of people around the country would tune in to watch the latest episode of a drama at a set day and time. Many people now 'binge-watch' TV dramas by watching multiple episodes back-to-back.
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 audiences
For audiences, streaming has changed the way we watch television.
'Event TV' (also known as 'appointment-to-view') is far less common now. This is when millions of people around the country would tune in to watch the latest episode of a drama at a set day and time. Many people now 'binge-watch' TV dramas by watching multiple episodes back-to-back.
Television industry contexts: Blog tasks
To finish our work on television, we need to complete some tasks exploring industry contexts around foreign-language TV, the changing audience for television and how streaming impacts the way audiences consume TV. Indeed, when answering these questions, consider the issues from both an audience and industry perspective.
Independent: British viewers can't get enough of foreign-language dramas
Read this Independent feature on foreign-language dramas. If the website is blocked or forcing you to register you can access the text of the article here. It features an in-depth interview with Walter Iuzzolino who curates Channel 4's Walter Presents programming. Answer the questions below:
1) What does the article suggest regarding the traditional audience for foreign-language subtitled media?
2) What does Walter Iuzzolino suggest is the key appeal of his 'Walter Presents' shows?
3) The article makes an interesting claim for the popularity of subtitles in the multi-screen age. What does it suggest?
4) What are the other audiences pleasures of foreign TV drama suggested by the article?
To finish our work on television, we need to complete some tasks exploring industry contexts around foreign-language TV, the changing audience for television and how streaming impacts the way audiences consume TV. Indeed, when answering these questions, consider the issues from both an audience and industry perspective.
Independent: British viewers can't get enough of foreign-language dramas
Read this Independent feature on foreign-language dramas. If the website is blocked or forcing you to register you can access the text of the article here. It features an in-depth interview with Walter Iuzzolino who curates Channel 4's Walter Presents programming. Answer the questions below:
1) What does the article suggest regarding the traditional audience for foreign-language subtitled media?
2) What does Walter Iuzzolino suggest is the key appeal of his 'Walter Presents' shows?
3) The article makes an interesting claim for the popularity of subtitles in the multi-screen age. What does it suggest?
4) What are the other audiences pleasures of foreign TV drama suggested by the article?
Film School Rejects: The foreign TV dramas you're missing out on
Now read this Film School Rejects feature on the foreign TV dramas you're missing out on. This contains some particularly useful background on Deutschland 83's reception internationally. If the website is blocked, you can access the article text here. Answer the following questions:
1) What does the article tell us about Deutschland 83's release schedule?
2) The article contains important statistics on viewing figures in different countries. What were the German viewing figures for the first and last episode? What were Channel's 4's viewing figures for Deutschland 83?
3) Who are the two production and distribution companies behind Deutschland 83 and what did they announce in October?
4) How does Walter Iuzzolino use social media to engage audiences in new international TV dramas? How does he suggest this has changed the reception of foreign productions in the UK?
The Guardian: How tech is changing television
Read this Guardian feature on how tech is changing television. This has some particularly useful aspects from an industry perspective - how TV is made, the different formats of TV drama and more. Answer the following questions:
1) How have streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime changed the way TV drama narratives are constructed?
2) Why has the rise in streaming led to more complex storylines and an increase in cliffhangers?
3) How have the "economics of production" kept TV drama largely sticking to the 45- or 60-minute episode format?
4) How has "permanent 24/7 connectivity" changed both the production and consumption of TV drama?
Read this Guardian feature on how tech is changing television. This has some particularly useful aspects from an industry perspective - how TV is made, the different formats of TV drama and more. Answer the following questions:
1) How have streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime changed the way TV drama narratives are constructed?
2) Why has the rise in streaming led to more complex storylines and an increase in cliffhangers?
3) How have the "economics of production" kept TV drama largely sticking to the 45- or 60-minute episode format?
4) How has "permanent 24/7 connectivity" changed both the production and consumption of TV drama?
Media Magazine: Netflix and the Cultural Industries
Due date: on Google Classroom
Finally, go to our Media Magazine archive and read the article on Netflix and the Cultural Industries (MM63 - page 45). Answer the following questions:
1) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?
2) What is technological convergence?
3) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?
4) 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?
1) What does David Hesmondhalgh argue with regards to how the creative industries have changed since the 1980s?
2) What is technological convergence?
3) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?
4) 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?
There is a fair amount of work here - the questions are not too challenging but there is plenty to read. Feel free to answer the questions in bullet points if you find it quicker. Remember, this reading and notetaking will prepare you brilliantly for the extended essay question in Media Paper 2 - particularly if the question focuses on industry or audience.
Due date: on Google Classroom
Extension tasks
If you're particularly interested in this industry, you may want to read the following articles or take on the following tasks that go into more detail on the TV industry:
Look at this IndieWire feature on the rise of international television. If the website is blocked, you can access the text from the article here. What cultural differences are highlighted in the article - for example in turning 'Prisoners of War' into 'Homeland' when remade in the US?
How do changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83? Try and make specific references to the two TV CSPs in your answer.
No comments:
Post a Comment