This document discusses how some popular internet platforms and services are owned. It notes that while Instagram was founded by an individual, it was later acquired by Facebook in 2012. Netflix is still owned by its founder Reed Hastings, who owns 11.8 million shares. WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook for $19 billion. Depop was founded by the co-founder of PIG magazine. Uber was founded in 2009 by Garrett Camp and Travis Kalanick, though Kalanick is credited with the original idea. The document then discusses how digital technology and the online age has impacted the film experience for audiences, noting that audiences now interact more with media and use it for information, entertainment, social interaction, and identity development.

1. Democracy and the Internet
• Is ‘popular’internetowned by the samecompanies that run traditional
mediaforms?
Instagram: Owned by an individual, Kevin Systrom isthe CEO and co-founder
of Instagram, he is responsiblefor the company'soverallvision and strategy
as well as day-to-day operations.
However in 2012 Instagram wasbought by Facebook, a social networking
company that has acquired more than 50 companies.
Netflix: Owned by an individual, TheCEO and founder of Netflix, Reed
Hastings, owns11.8 million shares.
Whatsapp: Facebook acquired mobile messaging company WhatsApp for $19
billion.
Depop: Depop wasfounded by co-founder of PIG magazine.
Uber: Uber wasfounded in 2009 asUberCabby Garrett Camp, the co founder
of StumbleUpon, and TravisKalanick, who had sold his Red Swoosh startup
for $19 million in 2007. Kalanick joined Camp and giveshim "full credit for the
idea" of Uber.

2. How has convergence of media through digital
technology and the online age impacted on
film experience for the audience?
• Today’s audiences are ‘inter-active’. The ‘uses and
gratifications’theory states that audiences use the
media rather than the media usingthem :
- The uses are:
1) For information
2) For entertainment and leisure
3) For social interaction (discuss with others) – create
blogs etc
4) For developing identity