Industries: Ownership and control

 Media conglomerate research

1) Type up your research notes from the lesson - what did you find out about your allocated media conglomerate? Selection of companies: Alphabet, The Walt Disney Company, National Amusements, Meta, News Corp, Time Warner, Comcast. If you were absent or didn't have time in the lesson to make these notes, research any one of the companies above and find examples of all the terminology outlined in the notes at the start of this blogpost.

I researched about National Amusements and found that the have many subsidiaries related to cinemas. Furthermore, they own paramount pictures which is vertical integration as they have their own production company to produce films or shows.

2) Do you agree that governments should prevent media conglomerates from becoming too dominant? Write an argument that looks at both sides of this debate.

I agree as it prevents audiences from getting information or entertainment from other perspectives as there will always be a bias in a media product so therefore if there is too little dominant conglomerates in the media things could get censored more easily and influence people to believe a certain thing rather than them being able to have free will in their opinions. However, some may disagree as these conglomerates have enough money, due to their power, meaning they have more quality in their products for an audience to enjoy.

Media Magazine reading and questions

Media Magazine 52 has a good feature on the changing relationship between audiences and institutions in the digital age. Go to our Media Magazine archive, click on MM52 and scroll to page 9 to read the article 'Two Key Concepts: The Relationship Between Audience and Institution'.

1) Briefly describe the production, promotion and distribution process for media companies.

Production: Provides media products to audiences based on what they want

Promotion: The media company researches their audience and advertises accordingly

Distribution: Getting the media product to customers

2) What are the different funding models for media institutions?

BBC: License fees

ITV: Sponsorships

Sony: Film sales

3) The article gives a lot of examples of major media brands and companies. Choose three examples from the article and summarise what the writer is saying about each of them. 

Disney is built on the concept of family and friendship, which creates brand loyalty from families and children, as they are known for wholesome content.

ITV relies on advertisers for profit, which also creates an appeal for audiences.

Sky One gains income from subscribers and long-term audiences to guarantee profit.

4) What examples are provided of the new business models media companies have had to adopt due to changes in technology and distribution?

Online streaming sites for music, like Spotify or streaming sites for movies like Netflix or Disney+.

5) Re-read the section on 'The Future'. What examples are discussed of technology companies becoming major media institutions?

Facebook is releasing their own virtual reality headsets, and Netflix and Amazon are producing their own shows.

6) Do you agree with the view that traditional media institutions are struggling to survive?

I agree, as now most people use digital forms of media, as it's easier to access.

7) How might diversification or vertical integration help companies to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape? 

These would help a company gain more profit as diversification expands its business, whereas vertical integration keeps costs lower than going to other companies for their services.

8) How do YOU see the relationship between audience and institution in the future? Will audiences gain increasing power or will the major global media conglomerates maintain their control?

I think audiences will gain more power due to the increasing use of UGC, as people can now create their own content.