LFTVD- Paper 2 , Questions 3&4

Two Questions 
3) 30 marks , 50 mins (5 min plan)- LIAR, Theorist (optional), Context (stranger thing + Deutschland 83)
4) 10 Marks - Theory with TV drama

Stranger things

ABC , NBC, CBS are the equivalent of BBC in the UK. US network broadcaster must satisfy they advertisers and hold market shares, they are also controlled by federal regulation, they front want to push boundaries with sex, drugs , alcohol etc.

The impact of this on content is a reliance on highly formalised genre conventions and normative values that meets mainstream audience expectations  but create conservation drama.

Cable Television- 

launched in the 1970's HBO was the first US national subscription cable channel. Other major US players include FX, show time and AMC. Many are subsidiaries of media conglomerates (HBO/WARNER/FX, Fox).

These subscription- based cable channels can take more risks with content and form.
By the early 200s, The Sopranos and The Wire won awards, audiences and created a water cooler effect.

The trouble with TV in the UK?

UK broadcasters have failed to meet the challenge of UK cable channels move to long form, with their risk-taking content and style.
BBC and ITV 90's relied on genre based, formula drama. Heritage and crime drama are prime examples.

Chasing the ABC1 Audience?

Channel 4 & BBC4 have identified foreign language/subtitled long-form shows are rating winners.
Embracing subtitled programs

3/4 of households (UK) have PVR but it had plateaued.
The use of time shift is increasing.
Growth of SVOD  went based channels such as Netflix, Amazon, Instant video &Now Tv (Sky) is considerable.
Netflix dominates the UK market (158.3 million subscribers)
Rise of binge watching started Sith DVD in the late 90's early C21 . Particularly due to syndication problems in the UK.
A move from 'water cooler' tv to 'shared universe' fandom (as with cinema)
US long- form drama often uses easter- eggs and mid season break to generate fun.

Multi stranded narrative +multiple things happening in one storyline.

The impacts of fandom- helps spread awareness of the series 

- high quality
- Multiple episodes
- content can be dark and difficult but innovative
- time shifting , easily accessible
- becomes invested in the story
- rise of HBO/streaming services
- Being daring with themes , characters, and settings as well as humorous , race, gender, sexuality
- movies are more expensive to watch and see a whole storyline of (avengers) - got to finish whole film
- people like ti be in comfort of their own home