From Public Service Broadcasting to Soci(et)al TV

Abstract

In a changing media environment, television is being transformed by the adoption of practices such as audience participation and interactivity. This article analyses the ways in which managers and producers in Finnish and Israeli public service and hybrid television companies perceive participation and interactivity. We suggest that while these concepts can be described by hybrid broadcasters using the technologically- and commercially-oriented concept of ‘social TV’, the term does not adequately address the perceptions of socially-oriented public service broadcasters (PSBs). Hence, we propose the society- and value-oriented concept of ‘soci(et)al TV’ in an effort to conceptualise the PSBs’ perceptions concerning the adoption of interactivity and participation practices while they seek to fulfil their social commitments and objectives. Our argument is based on a comparative study of two different broadcasting models (public service vs. hybrid) in two national media systems and cultures.

Digital First!

“…12 Indeed, throughout the years of its existence, public service broadcasting in Israel was subject to a range of pressures: competition from strong popular commercial channels; prolonged political oversight; and in later years, the added demands of the digital arena. The old PSB organisation (IBA) appears to have been unable to adapt to the changing media environment and had only a meager and outdated online presence, 13 a fact that contributed to its growing irrelevance and eventual decline.…”

Television and Social Media Convergence (Convergence Continum and Journalistic Convergence Analysis at Indosiar)

“…In some countries, the use of social media by television has given birth to a convergence concept between television and social media with the terminology of Social TV. Studies conducted by Borgomastro [3], Zelva [4], and Keinonen [5] show that the concept of Social TV is the use of social media that not only assists the production of television content, but is also used to enrich television program content. Social TV utilizes social media on the side of interactivity between users to get audience reactions or input on the course of the event.The presence of the concept of Social TV is quite reasonable.…”