2. Podcast – Cultural Economy A summary of the impact of cultural economy on the television broadcast industry For the Podcast Part 3: Cultural Economy see the corresponding audio below
3. The influence of the cultural economy Writing within the television industry has developed beyond a simple concept of good or bad writing. It has become an element addressing the industries drive for record-breaking television programs increasingly addressing the understanding of ‘high-concept, high-profile, multi-platform ‘TV blockbusters’” (Mann, 2009 p99). Each program created within an industry that expects the programs to progress beyond the typical platform – reaching into the spheres of Internet, digital content and promotions. The effect of this demand on the writers/authors of television content has led to the cultivation of the corporate brand. With production credits and influence taken from major sponsors, such as Coca Cola and Ford Motors. This in itself has led to the question of the quality of television that is being produced. Popular culture is often defined through the types of programs that flourish on the television platform. The commercial impact on this platform can be seen as a degradation of culture, or perhaps this is a way to survive in a Twenty-First Century era of cutthroat competition – a mutual beneficial arrangement of commercial and production interests. The importance of cultural industries within society has been demonstrated through the implementation of cultural policies. As a cultural industry television provides a form of entertainment for society. The link has been developed through government initiatives such as the digital television platform, the scheme of digital boxes for senior citizens and providing an increased number of digital channels to television stations for free. These are only a few of the initiatives taken by the government to increase the quantity and availability of television.
4. Interview relating to impact of cultural economy Do you feel that the monopolization of the media has reduced the diversity of cultural goods? Do you feel that media content is manipulated to carry an agenda? How do you feel American television has impacted on the creation of Australian television? For answer click the ‘Question 1’ link below For answer click the ‘Question 2’ link below For answer click the ‘Question 3’ link below
5. Annotated References Bourdieu, P. (1996) ‘The Rules of Art’, Polity, Cambridge This paper builds upon theories of cultural production, increasingly focused upon the classical ideas of sociology. This paper was used as a referencing tool within this assignment, allowing for a deeper understanding of the foundations of cultural and creative industries. The theories developed from this paper are established throughout Hesmondhalgh’s article on cultural industries. Golding, P & Murdoch, G. (2000) ‘Culture, communications and political economy’, Mass Media and Society, 3rdedn, eds J. Curran & M. Gurevitch, Arnold, London pp 70-92 This article emphasises the importance of cultural industries within the areas of media and communication. This article also mentions the importance of political economy of culture. This article was used as a form of supplementary research, as both political and cultural economy, were important for this assignment a thorough background knowledge base was necessary. Hesmondhalgh, David and Pratt, Andy C. (2005) ‘Cultural Industries and cultural policy’, International Journal of Cultural Policy, 11:1, 1-13 In this article the authors examine particular policies and their application onto cultural industries such as television, the importance, challenges, and results of these policies on society. This article was useful to my research topic, television, as it provided real-world examples within Australia, also further developing the concepts of current challenges such as aesthetics, knowledge and power within the cultural industries.
6. This article allowed me to understand the cultural industries in terms of policy and the problems, which can arise from both within and outside of that sphere. Jeffcutt, P & Pratt, A.C. (2002) ‘Management creativity in the cultural industries’, Creativity and Innovation management, vol. 11, pp225-233 This article explores the organisation and management of cultural industries. It delves into the idea of creative and cultural industries attempting to find the boundaries and governance of these arenas. This article was used as a supplementary base for research, giving a broader perspective on cultural industries. Mann, D. (2009) ‘It’s not TV, It’s brand Management TV – the collective author(s) of the lost franchise’, Routledge, New York, Chapter 7, pages 99-114 In this article Mann dives into the concepts surrounding authorship and ownership of materials/writing used within the television industry. The overwhelming importance of achieving television programs that not only generates high levels of viewers, but also gain a cult following on multiple platforms. This article was useful as it defined television ownership and productions, demonstrating how these elements are demonstrated in the current digital climate. The article does lack a sense of future for both the industry and television writing. This article formed some of the basis for questions in the interview.
