A. D'Arma

Content Aggregation in the Age of Online Video: An Analysis of the Impact of Internet Distribution on the Television Business

Abstract This article examines the economic impact of Internet distribution on the television industry and the strategic implications for incumbent broadcasters. It shows that a useful way of grappling with the structural changes underway is to consider the changing nature of aggregation. Far from contracting, it is argued, the new supply chain for online television is extending as the aggregation function, broadly understood to encompass new activities performed by a whole host of new online video aggregators, is becoming more layered. The nature and scale of the threats facing incumbent broadcasters, and their strategic responses are discussed.

Italian Television in the Multichannel Age Change and Continuity in Industry Structure, Programming and Consumption

It is only in the last few years that multichannel television has really made inroads in Italy. This article assesses the nature and extent of change that has taken place in Italian television in the move from a handful of terrestrial channels to hundreds of digital channels. It considers emerging trends in terms of ownership, revenue models, programming and consumption. It is argued that Italian television has undergone substantial change in recent years, the rise of News Corporation’s Sky Italia and the growing centrality of pay-TV to the economics of the industry being the main novelties. However, there are also important elements of continuity. Mediaset and RAI’s established terrestrial channels remain the only truly mass-audience media in Italy. Judging from current viewing patterns and in light of regulatory conditions and economic considerations, they are likely to remain so even in the all-digital scenario of the near future. In the longer term, however, fundamental change may also occur at this level, the analysis pointing in particular to the risk for public broadcaster RAI to become increasingly marginal in future, given the political and economic constraints it currently faces.

Localisation Strategies of US-owned Children's Television Networks in Five European Markets

This study examines the childrens channel output of the US transnationals in Germany, Britain, France, Italy and the Netherlands, and seeks to identify the specific factors that determine and shape their programming strategies linked to localisation. The analysis is based on a 2-week analysis of the schedules of some of the most popular transnational childrens channels (Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney, Nickelodeon, Nick Junior) and key public service childrens channels, as well as analysis of national TV markets and regulatory frameworks. The paper demonstrates the degree to which US transnationals are likely to adapt their offerings to meet different local circumstances, depending on a variety of connected market, regulatory and cultural factors, and points in particular to the importance of the broader institutional, policy and regulatory context in influencing the programming strategies of transnational players.

Review of Ofcom policy investigation: "The future of children's television programming"

The review looks at the recent review of childrens television broadcasting by the governmental regulator in the UK, Ofcom. It suggests that the research represents a valuable addition to the policy literature by filling the gap in previous research, particularly by providing an in-depth analysis of the economics of the sector. However, it questions the direct impact of the report on the subject matter if it is integrated (as proposed) into the more general review of Public Service Broadcasting.

How Do Public Service Broadcasters Make a Case for Themselves? An Analysis of BBC’s ‘Charter Manifestos’

As publicly-funded organisations operating in a sector characterized by ever-greater private-sector provision, public service broadcasters need to build a robust case for their continuing legitimacy. This paper examines the discursive strategies of the BBC in the UK in the context of the last three Royal Charter reviews. It shows that since the early 2000s, and particularly during the most recent Charter review, the BBC has deployed influential policy ideas on the creative economy to build a case that in keeping with the times emphasises its economic contribution as well as its more traditional role in fostering political and cultural citizenship.