Heikki Hellman

Diversity - An End in Itself? Developing a Multi-Measure Methodology of Television Programme Variety Studies

The scope of this article is methodological, focusing on the measurement of programme diversity on television. In recent research literature programme diversity has been understood too narrowly. In order to avoid typical pitfalls of diversity studies, the article discusses the concept and dimensions of diversity and, then, develops four parallel measures of breadth of programming and difference between channels, applicable for the analysis of both individual channels and the channel system as a whole. These measures (channel diversity, system diversity, deviation and choice options) are tested in a longitudinal analysis of Finnish television schedules. The article demonstrates that since shifts in the different dimensions of diversity are not necessarily unilinear, the multi-measure method tends to provide a more versatile picture of the developments in programme schedules than the traditional diversity analysis can do.

From aesthetes to reporters: The paradigm shift in arts journalism in Finland

The crisis of cultural journalism has recently been a topical issue in many countries. In Finland, too, it has been claimed that arts pages, previously dominated by aesthetically oriented critics, have been shrinking and become more news oriented and entertaining. In this article, we explore the change of structures, values and ideals of arts reporting as friction between two opposing paradigms, the aesthetic and the journalistic, and analyse how the changes are reflected in the contents of the cultural pages and in the self-image of arts journalists. The research data of this case study consist of the arts pages of the biggest national newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, and of various internal planning documents related to its management. In addition to a longitudinal content analysis, we also employed theme interviews with and observation of cultural journalists. The results show a change of paradigm in arts journalism, with the consequence that the previously autonomous department has become an inseparable part of the news organization, increasingly adapted to meet the challenges of news journalism.

Does Market-Entry Regulation Matter? Competition in Television Broadcasting and Programme Diversity in Finland, 1993–2002

This article examines the impact of changes in market structures and accompanying policies in the diversity of Finnish television’s programme content between 1993 and 2002. The analysis of the media policy and measurement of television supply indicate that, in Finland, the shift from a public service led situation to that of a mixed system with two public service and two commercial nationwide channels has not resulted in drastic changes in the diversity of television programming. Strict, but pragmatic, market-entry regulation has resulted in moderate competition, which appears to have favoured a substantial programme-type diversity and differentiation between the channels.

Digitalizing Diversity: Public Service Strategies and Television Program Supply in Finland in 2002

In this article, we examine content supply as a public service strategy in Finland, one of the forerunner countries of digital terrestrial television in Europe. Regarding digitalization, European broadcasters face several options from full service to a specialized mission. The case at hand is the first full digital year of 2002 in Finland. The focus is on one of the traditional principles of public service broadcasting, the diversity of programming, as it is realized in the new, digital, multichannel environment. We examine content diversity by comparing channel profiles as well by analyzing indexes of the horizontal and vertical breadth and dissimilarity of programming. In a market of two public service and two commercial analogue generalist TV channels, the five new thematic digital channels have radically altered the amount of system-wide supply, but the diversity of programming has not suffered. This is due to the specializing strategy of the public service broadcaster. Its approach to focus on factual programming is clear in its digital output but can be detected in moderation also in its analogue supply. However, with the expected increase on commercial digital supply also in terrestrial networks, there is the possibility of the generalist public service broadcaster to turn into a fragmented one.

Liquid Modern Journalism with a Difference: The changing professional ethos of cultural journalism

Reflecting a change from high to liquid modern culture, journalism is said to be encountering a transformation from high towards liquid modernity. Cultural journalism, however, has been found to be “journalism with a difference”. Due to this distinctive character, the principles of general journalism do not directly apply to cultural journalism. Consequently, the manifestations and consequences of the high and liquid modern ethos appear differently in cultural journalism. Proposing a theoretical framework of the core aspects of journalism—(1) knowledge, (2) audience, (3) power, (4) time, and (5) ethics—this article argues that cultural journalists differ from other journalists in their responses to the recent transformations in the professional values, working practices and the status of journalists.

Cultural Mediators Seduced by Mad Men: How Cultural Journalists Legitimized a Quality TV Series in the Nordic Region

Based on theories about the role of cultural mediators in cultural production and using the TV series Mad Men as a case, this article investigates how cultural journalists in the Nordic countries have contributed to legitimizing “quality TV series” as a worthy field of aesthetic consumption. Key analytical points are as follows: (1) cultural journalists legitimize Mad Men’s quality by addressing aspects internal (aesthetic markers) and aspects external (culture industry markers) to the series, as well as the series’ broader social and historical anchoring; (2) Nordic cultural journalists position themselves positively toward the TV series based on their professional expertise and their personal taste preferences and predilections; (3) these legitimation processes take place across journalistic genres, pointing to the importance not only of TV criticism, epitomized by the review, but of cultural journalism more broadly in constructing affirmative attitudes toward popular culture phenomena such as TV series.

Julkisen palvelun hittiradio

Julkisen palvelun yleisradioyhtiot ovat 1960-luvulta alkaen yrittaneet sopeutua nuorison musiikin kysyntaan. Kun kaupallinen radiotarjonta on lisaantynyt ja kun julkisen palvelun toimia nyt valvotaan aiempaa tarkemmin, on herannyt kysymys, missa maarin ja milla tavoin julkisen palvelun radiokanavien tulisi erottua kaupallisista formaattiradioista. Artikkeli tarkastelee julkisen palvelun musiikkiradion erottautumiskeinoja esimerkkinaan Suomen keskeiset nuorisolle ja nuorille aikuisille suunnatut hittiasemat. Musiikkiohjelmiston sisaltoa ja monipuolisuutta kuvaavia mittareita hyodyntamalla tutkimus osoittaa Yleisradion YleX-kanavan eroavan merkittavasti keskeisista kaupallisista kilpailijoistaan Energysta ja The Voicesta ja esittaa, etta myos suosituimpaan musiikkiin keskittyva hittiradio voi tayttaa julkisen palvelun tehtavaa.