David Hesmondhalgh & The Cultural Industries

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Questions and Answers

According to David Hesmondhalgh, what significant shift has occurred in cultural production since the 1980s?

  • Increased focus on text-based study in media analysis.
  • Greater emphasis on regulatory frameworks in media production.
  • Transformation in how cultural products are produced and distributed. (correct)
  • A decline in the influence of media institutions.

Hesmondhalgh's primary focus in 'The Cultural Industries' is the analysis of individual media texts rather than the institutional and industry contexts.

False (B)

What is the main advantage for streaming services like Netflix and Amazon in creating their own original content, according to the article?

Owning the copyright

According to David Hesmondhalgh, the concept of 'industry' in media studies refers to the companies that create and distribute media texts, the standard practices of media production, as well as the ________ and legal frameworks in which these companies operate.

<p>regulatory</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the media company with its primary strategy or focus:

<p>Netflix = Creating original content to retain copyright and control distribution. Amazon = Leveraging its retail infrastructure to support and diversify its streaming services. Google = Monetizing user-generated content through advertising revenue. Disney = Withdrawing content from other platforms to build its own streaming service.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Netflix's initial business model before transitioning to streaming?

<p>Postal DVD service (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Google and Facebook are regulated as media companies, similar to traditional broadcasters.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why technology companies have an advantage over traditional media companies in terms of distribution?

<p>They don't need to invest in a distribution network</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the article, the internet is the perfect ________ distribution network.

<p>global</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the company with its specific media initiative:

<p>Facebook = Launched Watch, hosting original 'reality TV' programming. Netflix = Invested heavily in original content creation, such as 'House of Cards' and 'Stranger Things'. Amazon = Producing its own 'television' programmes as part of its Prime service. Google = Hosts content on YouTube, relying on advertising revenue.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way Netflix adapted Stranger Things for international audiences?

<p>By renaming the Demogorgon based on D&amp;D translations. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the article, Netflix is profitable and doesn't rely on debt to fund its original content.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Blockbuster go bust?

<p>Broadband connections facilitated video streaming.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Alphabet is Google's ________ company.

<p>parent</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the term with its description:

<p>Globalisation = The worldwide distribution of films, particularly used by Hollywood to expand worldwide. Micro-targeting = Delivering advertisements to specific niche audiences based on their online activity. Digitisation = The conversion of analogue media to digital formats and its distribution via the internet. Cultural Industries = Companies that create and distribute media texts, and the production practices and legal frameworks they function within.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of revenue for Google and Facebook?

<p>Advertising revenue (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the article, traditional media like television and print are experiencing growing audiences and increasing advertising revenues.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one way Facebook has blurred the line between being a platform and a broadcaster?

<p>Launching Watch</p> Signup and view all the answers

The World Wide Web was donated free by its creator ________.

<p>Tim Berners-Lee</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the streaming service with its parent company:

<p>Prime Video = Amazon YouTube = Google (Alphabet) Disney+ = Disney Netflix = Netflix, Inc.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated spending amount for Netflix on original material for the next year?

<p>$8 billion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Internet was created by private companies, who invested vast amounts of money in cable or satellite distribution networks.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the topics that, according to Hesmondhalgh, are often wrongly neglected in Media Studies?

<p>Copyright</p> Signup and view all the answers

Advertisers can be confident that their message is getting to their desired audience because Google and Facebook can ________ niche audiences.

<p>micro-target</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the technological advancement/media shift with its impact on content distribution:

<p>Broadband Connections = Facilitated video streaming, leading to the decline of DVD rental services like Blockbuster. Internet = Enabled technology companies to distribute content globally without investing in traditional networks (cable/satellite). Digitisation = Allowed technology companies to challenge traditional broadcasters by offering on-demand viewing. Mobile Devices = Increased accessibility to media texts anywhere at anytime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Industry Concept (Media)

Companies that create/distribute media texts, standard production practices & regulations.

Addressing diverse audiences

Producing output that appeals to diverse audience groups, ensuring common comprehension.

Global Launch

Simultaneous release of a service in many countries.

Copyright Ownership (Netflix)

Owning the copyright eliminates distribution fees.

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Micro-Targeting Niche Audiences

Directly targeting specific audience groups with tailored content.

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Digitization (Media)

Distributing content via the internet, bypassing traditional channels.

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Netflix's Business Model

A business depending on subscriber revenue, with no additional income streams.

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Netflix's Original Content Strategy

Creating original productions to retain profits and control content.

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Netflix Investment Strategy

Spending more money than made, hoping for substantial future growth

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Facebook Watch

Platforms blurs this line by launching 'reality TV' programs.

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David Hesmondhalgh

He outlines current trends and gives a good examiniation of the media.

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Nick Lacey

A teacher and textbook author.

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American Culture

American culture is the second culture for many countries.

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Stranger Things

Translated Demogorgon based on translations in 1970.

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Gloablisation

Internet is perfect for global distribution

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Facebook Watch

Original programming that runs on 'reality TV'.

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Study Notes

  • David Hesmondhalgh is a key theorist for A-level Media Studies students
  • His book, "The Cultural Industries," explores the 'industry' concept, often a neglected area in Media Studies

The 'Industry' Concept

  • Encompasses media text creation and distribution companies
  • Includes standard media production practices
  • Also includes regulatory and legal frameworks for these companies

Hesmondhalgh's Argument

  • Argues that cultural production has significantly shifted since the 1980s

Adapting to Diverse Audiences

  • Producers must exercise caution to ensure productions are widely understood
  • American culture is often the second culture in many countries, mostly making US-produced texts easily understood

Netflix's Localization Strategy

  • Netflix ensures connections transcend language barriers
  • Netflix researches how various cultures translated "Demogorgon" in the mid-1970s for Stranger Things
  • The Demogorgon was renamed in some regions based on the local Dungeons & Dragons demon prince name
  • Netflix uses the actors who regularly dub particular performers in foreign language versions

Netflix's Financial Model

  • Netflix is highly indebted, possibly up to $20 billion
  • Unlike traditional media companies, it lacks other revenue sources
  • Amazon, as a retailer, doesn't rely solely on Prime subscriptions for profitability

Digitization and Competition

  • Digitization allows tech companies to challenge traditional broadcasters
  • Amazon, initially an online bookseller, now produces its own 'television' programmes

Netflix's Strategy

  • Netflix started as a postal DVD service, then 'liberated' television programmes from broadcasters' schedules
  • Netflix realized it needed to create an online subscription service
  • Netflix understood it needed to produce its own content
  • Traditional media companies threatened to eventually set up their own Internet distribution networks

Downfall of Traditional Distributors

  • DVD distributors like Blockbuster failed after broadband enabled video streaming
  • Disney has withdrawn all its content from Netflix in order to stream content on its own channel

Investment in Original Content

  • Netflix plans to spend $8 billion on original material
  • Amazon's budget is estimated at $4.5 billion
  • Apple has recently entered the streaming arena with a $1 billion investment

Impact on Traditional Media

  • Traditional media, especially television and print, face declining audiences and advertising revenues

Internet as a Distribution Network

  • The Internet was created with taxpayer money
  • Tech companies haven't invested vast amounts in distribution networks due to the Internet
  • The wired world can access content via the World Wide Web
  • The Internet is the perfect global distribution network

Global Expansion

  • In 2016, Netflix launched in 130 new countries, totaling 190
  • Amazon opened in 200 countries
  • Netflix and Amazon automatically own the copyright for their original programmes
  • They do not need to purchase additional distribution permissions

Facebook Watch

  • In 2017, Facebook launched Watch, hosting original 'reality TV' programming
  • This blurs the line between being a platform and a broadcaster
  • Google has not made the same move, still making revenue from other companies' content
  • Shareholders' desire for growth may lead to expanding offerings

Hesmondhalgh's Skill

  • Outlines current trends
  • Offers a thorough examination of institutional and industry aspects of Media Studies
  • Covers topics often neglected: copyright, internationalisation, and social justice

Exam Preparation

  • Focus on the institutional context of texts studied, using material from Hesmondhalgh's book
  • Study efficiently, not trying to "swallow" the whole book
  • Watching Netflix can be considered homework

Addressing Concerns About Fake News

  • Facebook launched Watch primarily in response to the problem of 'fake news'

Advertising Revenue Model

  • Alphabet (Google's parent company) and Facebook are now some of the biggest media companies worldwide
  • Advertising revenue enables success for these companies

Micro-Targeting

  • Advertisers can be confident their message reaches their desired audience
  • The global reach of the Internet maximizes audience size

Regulatory Loopholes

  • Google and Facebook started as tech companies
  • They've avoided being regulated as media companies
  • YouTube hosts extremist content, whereas traditional broadcasters would be fined or lose licenses for similar content

Netflix's Competition

  • Netflix faces tough competition from Amazon Prime, Now TV, Hulu, HBO, Apple TV, and Disney+

Netflix Financial Strategy

  • Creating original and exclusive content allows Netflix to keep profits and control "in-house"
  • Original content requires high production values, making long-form TV a key strategy
  • The company is taking financial risks and borrowing money for long-term future growth
  • Netflix cash flow was negative until 2022 due to borrowing $15 billion to build its catalogue

Netflix Expansion

  • Netflix has expanded its operations to Shepperton, a major production site with numerous sound stages

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