Television industry contexts

 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?

Fifteen years ago, if you'd mentioned to a colleague that you'd spent Saturday night glued to a subtitled European drama, you'd have been quietly declared pretentious, dull and, possibly, a little odd. Skip to today and foreign-language dramas aren't even on-trend, they're fully mainstream.

2) What does Walter Iuzzolino suggest is the key appeal of his 'Walter Presents' shows?
Walter Iuzzolino suggests the key appeal of his "Walter Presents" shows is their curated, high-quality, and "hand-picked" nature, which acts as a "truffle hunter" alternative to algorithm-based recommendations.

3) The article makes an interesting claim for the popularity of subtitles in the multi-screen age. What does it suggest?
There may be something else in foreign TV's new popularity, too. It may sound prosaic but when we're frequently distracted from our TV viewing by Twitter feeds and a pinging WhatsApp, subtitles are a welcome enforcement for us to focus. "When you read subtitles, you have to be glued to the screen," says Deeks.

4) What are the other audiences pleasures of foreign TV drama suggested by the article?

"We all love getting that insight into a different culture," says Deeks. "The unfamiliar setting gives a freshness to genre pieces."

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?

Premiering on AMC Network’s Sundance TV in June 2015, the show was the first German-language

TV series to premiere on a US network. The fact Germany’s commercial RTL channel received

Deutschland ’83 five months after the US both signifies the series’ global appeal as well as

foreshadows where the German crime thriller was (and is) to find its audience.

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?

The German premiere had 3.19 million viewers. Each new episode saw that figure drop, and by the

series’ conclusion the figures had fallen down to 1.63 million — it’s lowest figure.

3) Who are the two production and distribution companies behind Deutschland 83 and what did they announce in October? 

After a period of uncertainty surrounding its renewal, SundanceTV and FremantleMedia finally

announced in October that there will be a second series of Deutschland 83, called Deutschland 86.

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?

He uses social media to advertise international TV dramas so that people around the world can watch them.

The Guardian: How Britain's TV industry is struggling in the streaming era

Read this Guardian feature on how Britain's TV industry - particularly public service broadcasters - are struggling to keep up with the American streaming giants. Answer the following questions: 

1) What is happening to UK public service broadcasters like the BBC and Channel 4 when it comes to TV drama? 
Some of the industry’s biggest names have provided evidence to MPs on the culture select committee, painting a grim picture of the struggles of the UK’s public service broadcasters – such as ITV, the BBC and Channel 4 – to fund the kind of high-end TV dramas that viewers now take for granted in the streaming era.

2) Look at the middle of the article where global budgets are discussed. What was the peak of the global premium TV streaming market and what has it dropped to in recent years? 

The peak of the global streaming market was £5.1bn and it's now £3.4bn

3) What are the typical production costs per hour of high-end TV production? Why does this create a challenge for Britain's public service broadcasters? 

High-end TV production costs of as much as £5m an hour, have tightened commissioning spend amid an advertising downturn and significant cost increases due to soaring UK inflation.

4) Look at the end of the article. Why is there still an optimism about the British TV industry?

Despite the current trials, tribulations and financial pressures, Garvie says there is no question the UK is still riding high on the premium drama boom instigated by the global streamers.

Media Magazine: Netflix and the Cultural Industries 

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?

Hesmondhalgh, broadly speaking, argues that since the 1980s there’s been a significant shift in cultural production.

2) What is technological convergence? 

Digitisation of media meant every media form could be accessed on computers.

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

Recently the chair of Ofcom suggested that Google and Facebook should be regulated as publishers and not, as they wish to be, considered simply as Internet platforms that take no responsibility for what is hosted on their sites.

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?

Money Heist.