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.
'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?
David Hesmondhalgh argues that there has been a significant shift in cultural production 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?
- 'Globalisation has meant media texts can circulate more easily across borders reducing North American dominance.'
- 'Digitalisation has allowed the technology sector to compete directly with traditional media companies.'
- 'There has been an increase in media corporations owning companies in different sectors of the industry.'
In my opinion these are the most significant points that Hesmondhalgh makes regarding the changing cultural industries because they highlight how digitalisation has lead to globalisation which makes media texts easily accessible through technology - media corporations have seen technology as an opportunity to globalise media texts.
4) What is technological convergence?
Technological convergence is digitisation of media meant every media form could be accessed on computers. It was this that eventually enabled tech companies to compete directly with media companies and, arguably even become media companies.
5) How are technology companies challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry?
Technology companies are challenging traditional broadcasters in the TV industry by digitalisation and the ability to easily distribute texts through the internet. An example of this is Amazon - Amazon Prime is now producing its own television programmes. This is similar to Netflix, which originally began as a postal service in 'liberating' television programmes from broadcasters' schedules with on-demand viewing. Netflix created it's own online subscription service which deemed successful. Traditional distributors of DVDs, like the shop Blockbuster, went bust after broadband connections facilitated video streaming.
6) What budgets will Netflix, Amazon and Apple spend on original programming next year?
Budgets Netflix, Amazon and Apple will spend on original programming next year are:
- Netflix- plans on spending $8bn.
- Amazon- plans on spending around $4.5bn.
- Apple- they have recently joined the fray with $1bn spend.
In 2016 Netflix simultaneously launched its service in 130 new countries, bringing its total to 190. Amazon launched 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?
The global nature of modern television means producers are having to consider international audiences when creating content, the example from Netflix that the article provides is the monster in Strangers Things named 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?
I think that technology companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon will increase their interest in the television industry due to the popularity and success of companies such as Netflix or Amazon who have created a successful platform.
10) How do changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83? How?
Changes in technology influence the creation of TV dramas such as Capital or Deutschland 83 because people can choose what they want to watch, when they want to watch it as we have on demand and catch up. Also technology influences the creation of these types of TV dramas as they allow a wider audience if the show successfully globalises which means more views and interest - this could lead to further funding for more seasons which is profitable in the end for a company.
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