Open AccessConvergent Television and ‘Audience Participation’
Author(s) -
Vivi Theodoropoulou
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
view
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2213-0969
DOI - 10.18146/2213-0969.2014.jethc071
Subject(s) - interactive television , divergence (linguistics) , pace , digital television , convergence (economics) , technological convergence , advertising , broadcasting (networking) , audience measurement , service (business) , multimedia , sociology , public relations , media studies , telecommunications , computer science , political science , marketing , business , geography , economics , computer network , philosophy , linguistics , geodesy , economic growth
The paper focuses on the introduction of interactive digital television (DTV) in the UK at the turn of the millennium, and its take-up and use by early audiences. It discusses whether the processes of television technological convergence went together with ‘consumer behaviour convergence,’1 enhanced audience engagement with the interactive TV services offered, and participation. Based on findings from a UK-wide survey and in-depth interviews with early Sky digital subscribers conducted during the early days of the service, the article shows that early interactive DTV was taken up because of its multichannel offering and thematic orientation and, interestingly, was approached and appreciated mostly as a television content provider. It thus notes a divergence on industry’s attempts to promote convergence in broadcasting and on the level and pace with which users adopt and adapt to such change. In so doing it highlights the evolutionary nature and slow rate of change of cultural habits and forms.