Callahan--please read the following article for Thursday:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/07393180216568
This is a research article, so it's not as entertaining as some of the other articles we've discussed. It does do a good job of explaining how television shows work around the world. I would be interested in your comments about the reading. Additionally, do you watch any international shows? If so, what types of shows do you watch? If not, why don't you? Is it interest, culture, technology?
Reading this article gave me hope that family values still exist around the world! The fact that television shows with cross-cultural values like raising kids, school, struggles of teenage years (like the Cosby show) do better than shows without much moral basis behind them do better is reassuring that media can solidify good morals (although it usually doesn't) if viewers want it to.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting that countries who import American programming still prefer their local programming (they can't show American shows on prime-time TV because they can't compete) because it's in their native language. I assumed that people wanted to assimilate into the American culture more than keep their own, but I am wrong in most cases.
I don't watch any international shows, but that's mostly because I don't want any shows at all. I would watch an international show solely for the accents though.
This article is researching the effects that the race of actors and television personalities will have on viewers and the industry, as a whole. It is no secret that international television trade is a large and lucrative part of our economy. This trade is influenced drastically by economic and cultural forces; that add pressure and motivate the industry. As the author studies African American situational comedies, he is focusing on whether or not this genre gives us insight into the culture of this demographic or if these gender segmentations cause increase in sales and reputation, or the opposite. International television, is a difficult business to explore and understand. There are so many factors that go into choices and opinions that can only be understood through the understanding of culture, religion, social norms, etc. Economic business practices differ in various regions. Researchers must look into how, or why, international television is distributed in specific ways and balanced across networks and regions. A great place for researchers to start would be understanding the following quote from the article. “Because it is nearly always cheaper for foreign buyers to purchase US programming than it is to self-produce, American programming dominates international trade, reportedly accounting for 68% of worldwide prime-time viewing, compared to 13% for British programming, its closest rival” (Murphy, 2000).
ReplyDeleteChandler Anderson
This article was very informative and helped me to better understand the profitable market that international television is. I previously didn't realize the extent to which executives went to market and sell their television shows across the world. I found it very interesting when discussing black situational comedies and there level of unpopularity in comparison to white family oriented programs. The assumption that these types of comedies do not resonate with other cultures directly influences the level of marketing to which sellers focus on with buyers. This makes me wonder if in reality foreign countries in fact do not want to see these types of shows or is there level of popularity simply a direct result of control by US owners. The racial issue of portraying black families from middle to lower class families is a whole other debate but the evidence that certain countries in Mexico and in the Middle East connect with the black comedies because of the similarities found within the shows provides solid evidence that there is a market for these shows. I would be interested to see more research in this area.
ReplyDeleteI watch international shows on occasion mostly spanish TV to keep up on my Spanish and because the shows remind me of the culture of the people I served with. The reason for this is because there are a number of spanish shows on TV so it is easy to access and it is in a language I understand and can connect with. The reason for why I do not watch other types of international shows is simply because I don't have easy access to any. I might check some out if they were on TV.
After reading the article, I found it very interesting that television shows try to sell the fact that they are universal. Even the most conservative television shows are still not universal. I found it even more interesting that the show used as an example in the article was That 70's Show. As much as I love That 70's Show, I don't think the values or even the story line is universal.
ReplyDeleteAnother part of the article I found beneficial for future international television shows and shows that are running now is more than 60% of revenue can come from international sales in the first three seasons.
Personally, I do not watch international television shows. I don't speak any foreign languages, and I have never been interested in getting involved with them.
I was surprised at the article's information about the profitability of international television, because I am not one to watch international television shows. The only time I have lived anywhere but the United States is when I studied abroad in England, and even then I did not watch their television. I think this is because I am so immersed in US culture that I don't enjoy the entertainment or topics that international TV decides to talk about. I think the humor is different depending on the nation, and there are cultural aspects of international television that I don't understand. I also find myself unable to understand any other language, so for me, reading subtitles is not as enjoyable as watching TV in a language I can understand. I like the culture in the US, and I prefer to spend my entertainment time watching something I understand on a linguistic and cultural level.
ReplyDeleteI would prefer to learn about other cultures by going to the place to visit or reading about it rather than watching it. I have very little time to watch TV, and I would much rather spend my time on my favorite shows that are from here in the US.
Before reading this, I always thought that television shows were produced with just one audience in mind. It was surprising to read about how much media outlets consider other markets around the world. After reading this, it makes more sense that there are so many similar, white dramas created. The intention to distribute shows to international audiences probably has a greater affect on television content than we even realize. The desire to create universally popular programs greatly decreases the profitability of creating unique or creative content and makes homogenization of shows more likely.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I watch a few british shows(both comedies and dramas) and I also watch French movies frequently. The culture and content of British shows are not much different from American programs which makes the themes and stories easy to understand and relate to. After spending over three years in France, I enjoy watching French films because of the culture and the language. Viewing these films is motivated by nostalgia much more than entertainment(French films are often strange in my opinion). My limited access to foreign movies and television make me much more likely to consume American content.
Personally I was surprised at the profitability of international media. Maybe I am just being ignorant, but I assumed that the most revenue from a program comes from viewers in its home country. I thought that the study into African American sitcoms was an interesting part of the article and I thought it was especially interesting that they brought up the fact that this culture may not resonate universally. I think this is one of the reasons why I am not really interested in international shows--I am not interested in shows that center around cultures I don't understand and it makes me a little uncomfortable. Although I don't watch any of these programs, my mom is completely addicted to Korean soap operas. (weird, I know) She doesn't speak Korean and has never been to Korea, but she uses English subtitles. Whenever I watch a little bit of these shows with her I can't watch for more than ten minutes because I simply can't understand what's going on even though there are subtitles. I just don't understand why the characters act and react the way they do because so much is lost in the cultural barrier.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting that the United States dominates the international TV Show market. I didn’t realize that it was so much cheaper for other countries to buy second-hand shows, instead of producing their own, even though they obviously are created with American audiences in mind. I thought it was funny that two of the shows they mentioned as “universal” were Roseanne and That 70’s Show, because there is no way that most of the world would ever understand the humor associated with 1970’s or 1980’s America, regardless of when the show was actually made. It does make sense though that it would be cheaper, because the costs associated with creating and sustaining a successful program that can measure up to US production companies I’m sure are astronomical.
ReplyDeleteThe closest international TV show that I regularly watch is The Flight of the Conchords, which really isn’t international because it’s made by HBO. I watch it because the New Zealand sense of humor is very funny to me. I’ve also seen episodes of an Idiot Abroad with Ricky Gervais and Extras with Ricky Gervais. Both are funny to me, but it’s hard for me to follow regularly because the formula for the show feels foreign to me.
I thought it was cool to read about how other countries get our older shows later as well. I mean, we obviously read about that previously when we talked about the Simpsons and how in order for it to run in other countries, they needed to make it culturally appropriate. But like Brett said above me, the shows that many countries are buying from the U.S. were made with American audiences in mind. But as far as entertainment goes, it is more cost effective I guess to purchase a show rather than put together and produce a whole new show in every different country. For this reason, I can see why there are some themes and stories that we stick to when creating a show because they have a great chance of making it overseas. As far as my foreign television show watching goes, I will have to admit that I am somewhat of a Korean drama junkie. A lot of them are quite repetitive in terms of their plots and story lines, but the thing that gets me the most is that they are always still enticing. And not only that, but they are a lot cleaner than any American shows out there. No sex, no blood and guts, just pure clean television that sucks in the watcher from the get go.
ReplyDeleteI just tried to access the article and it said I need to purchase it, so I couldn't read it. I will answer the other questions though.
ReplyDeleteI do watch some international shows. The shows put on BBC, like Sherlock, are excellent. It is just so well done, witty- the whole thing is just great. I just think that BBC has seen that we take movies seriously in the US and we kind of go halfway on TV. They saw an opportunity and they took it.
I do watch quite a bit of international shows. I enjoy a few Mexico T.V. shows because I served my mission in Mexico. I like the Mexico T.V. shows because of the culture. It reminds me of my mission and all the inside culture jokes they have on their shows. I also like a few shows produced by BBC and various other countries. I watch the British shows Luther, Sherlock, Dr. Who and Top Gear. Since I lived in Europe during middle school and some of high school, I watched a lot of international media while living there. BBC shows were probably the most consumed out of all of them. I watch a lot of BBC shows because I feel they have a sense of professionalism to them. Many British productions are limited to a few episodes per season so the production value is much higher than American television. With American T.V. shows, they have about 22 episodes per season so the writing, acting and filming have a lower quality to them. Sherlock, on the other hand, has 3 episodes per season so they can focus more on quality than quantity. Whatever country or language the production may be in, I look primarily for quality.
ReplyDeleteI've tried accessing it and haven't been able to since Tuesday so not sure whats going on.
ReplyDeleteLike David I'll just answer the questions.
I do watch a lot of international shows though I watch more international films. Sherlock is excellent but for some reason in my home the Korean wave took hold more than 7 years ago and has had a firm grasp on my household ever since. K-Dramas (as Korean made dramas are called) are something that is commonly watched. I feel that we watch these because we find the culture interesting and also because it gives us a different perspective on how to see the world both emotionally as well as cinematographically.
The first thing that stood out to me in this article is when it said, "a combination of economic and cultural forces govern international television trade". I think this is important to remember when trying to understand what television shows make it abroad and why. I also thought it was interesting that its almost always cheaper for foreign buyers to purchase US programs than for them to make their own programs, but generally local viewers prefer programs from their own countries in their own languages, can't say I blame them. The only international programs I watch are Downton Abbey on BBC. Because it is in my language and I did a study abroad in England and I love their culture. I also feel like I can understand their culture and their references because I love British culture so much. If i didnt understand it, I probably wouldn't bother watching it.
ReplyDeleteAs a younger kid, I started watching the TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Ever since it has been my favorite TV show. To me it was something that I liked as it followed the principle of resonance talked about in Cultivation Theory. I had friends that were goofy like Will, my dad is a tempered bigger guy like Uncle Phil, and I knew a lot of people like Hillary and Carlton. I felt that this was a very interesting article and I agreed with the author in that for shows to be successful they have to resonate with that culture-usually needing to be “as white as possible”. That is why it is difficult for shows to reach across international borders. Some people might have an interest in a foreign culture and seek out shows that reflect ethnicities besides their own, but often times, like this interesting video about the Fresh Prince theme song, they just don’t translate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMRaoYMez4E).
ReplyDeleteFresh Prince was a perfect show for an international audience as it had aspects that were stereotypically black and aspects that were stereotypically white. Especially at the beginning of the series, there was a lot of dissonance as a loud, hip-hop loving; black kid from Philadelphia tried to fit in with his sophisticated, conservative, well to do family. Will would tease Carlton for not being “black enough” and say things like, “roses are red, violets are blue, Jazz and I are black, but Carlton what are you?” Starting in the early 1990’s hip-hop began to really become part of mainstream culture and you started seeing people who once grew up poor living in mansions in places like Bel-Air. There also began to be a foreign interest in the hip-hop culture and so it would make sense that this is the type of show that American production companies would want to spread abroad. Shows like this had traditional values that resonated with some cultures, it had the loud hip-hop lifestyles that intrigued other cultures, and it showed how a poor person could end up living in a mansion. A show like Good Times, where the family struggles through tough times in the ghetto probably is not going to resonate well with developed and western nations. This clip from The Jamie Foxx Show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YD_Er1Jq-o) might be one of my all-time favorites, but there isn’t anything marketable about an average hotel worker. These traits of wealth and flash create intrigue (as seen Fresh Prince) as well as traditional-family values on shows like The Cosbys or Family Matters are all traits that make Americans look good and will be spread to other countries to make the country seem better.
Eric Vincent
I couldn't access the article, but I do watch international movies either from India or Brazil. I watch them because I love both cultures, and they are really different from each other. Brazilian movies are mostly about an economic reality going on in Brazil or something that happened. Hindu movies are mostly happy movies with a lot of colors, and dancing. They also strongly project Hindu culture because most of them talk about religion, and marriage. Besides of that I used to watch Telenovelas or movies from other countries in Latin America besides Brazil. I like learning about other cultures, and I think when you find something you like in another culture you like watching, and learning more about it. I am learning Portuguese, I love dancing, and as a Dominican I feel I can identify myself with the stories in the Telenovelas or movies from countries all over Latin America.
ReplyDeleteI also had problems accessing the article and I wasn't planning on paying $87 to read it.
ReplyDeleteInternational shows I've watched have been Japanese anime. They're animated shows dealing with complex philosophical and historical notions, ideas, and theories. But presented by using robots, ninjas, and sorcerers. Other shows I've also enjoyed watching have been British like Misfits, Sherlock, and a few others from the BBC. I find the shows intelligent, entertaining, and the story-telling is fantastic. I also enjoying trying to figure out slang or English terms that are not familiar. I watch Japanese anime because I like the culture and ideas they represent and with British shows I enjoy the language. I do watch a few shows in Spanish, but they're mostly on YouTube and are similar to American YouTube shows with a vlogger or personality. I mainly watch all these shows online using Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube.
I thought this was very interesting. As I started reading the article, I thought of all of the television shows I have watched that featured African Americans. The three I picked out were Family Matters, Fresh Prince of Bel Air and The Cosby Show. As I read the article, those we the three it focused on too. And it was pointed out to me that the reason many white Americans watch those shows is because they were produced by a white producer who was creating the content so that it would appeal to white, middle-class Americans, my demographic. Shows such as Living Single, Martin, The Wayans Brothers and Jamie Foxx are shows that I have seen commercials for but have never really considered watching. At first I felt bad while I was reading this because I t make me feel like I was racist or something. But then I read the line where it talked about our behaviors and how sit-coms try to show instances and behaviors that mirror our the viewers' behaviors so they feel like they can relate. When I look at the three shows I watched, that was the reason I watched them. I felt like I could relate to their stations to some extent.
ReplyDeleteSomething else I thought about when I was reading the article was what it was about those three shows that made me feel like I could relate to them. The article mentions family values which was something important to me. I think a lot of people probably also related to and liked the Jobs that the men had in those shows. The in the Cosby Show, the father is a doctor. In Family Matters the father is a police man. In the Fresh Prince, I have no idea what Uncle Phil does (Lawyer maybe?), but he is very rich. White middle class Americans probably feel like those are respectable jobs, ones that they would hold. What I am trying to say is, the more things that viewers have in common with the characters, the more willing they are to look past the fact that they are a different race than the characters, and the more likely they are to enjoy and watch the show. The less they have in common, the more likely they are to notice that they are a different race than the characters, and then they add that to the list of things they don't have in common and then are less likely to watch and enjoy the show.
The article gave me more insight into the intricacies of television distribution around the world and made me reflect more on my own television watching behavior. It is no secret that the US is the main producer of media content throughout the world and its production values, a-list actors and Hollywood reputation let it dominate the competition. In terms of foreign television I have watched shows on the BBC including Sherlock, Top Gear, and even tried watching Dr. Who but it just wasn't for me. Interestingly enough I saw all of these show on Netflix. When I started to think about that it made me wonder if Netflix and other online distribution services could possibly represent a glimmer of hope for foreign countries to produce content that is not only successful in their own country but in the United States as well.
ReplyDeleteWhile the article was focused on just the opposite of foreign distribution I think it is interesting to think about why the shows I saw on the BBC even interested me at all. I think the best explanation can be summed up with the show Down Town Abby. Although personally I do not like the show it is currently enjoying success in the United States thanks in part to Netflix and Amazon Prime. Why was that show popular and not other BBC TV shows? I think it is due largely to the fact that the show centers on the history and lives of a British royal family. So to Americans it makes sense that the show is made by the Brits and of course their culture is foreign and interesting because it was a different time period. I think it is easier for Americans to look past the culture because it a historical time piece representing the time and place rather than urban working professionals in London in sitcom that us American just don't get. So while the United States is in no danger to be dethroned from its position as the number one creator of television content I do like the idea that thanks to new technologies that shows in other countries can have success and find audiences all over the world too.
I thought that the African American based shows were staged from a white perspective. Distributors however said that race was not the reason for their success. Instead, it was the popular family themes in the shows. It was also interesting that the people and executives he interviewed said that these shows had an absence of Blackness. Normally Blackness was associated with poverty and struggle, but they broke away from that in these comedies.
ReplyDeleteInternational shows are more frequently becoming American shows. The article stated that its cheaper for international producers to purchase US shows instead of creating their own. The biggest consumers for US programming is West European markets. Having served my mission in France and also done an internship there afterwards, I have seen this first hand. The Big Bang Theory is a really popular show in France. Thats not the only US show that they like to watch over there. There are very few French made television shows. If they even really exist, they are not as popular as the US shows that air.
I do not watch much international television. I do watch several British television shows on Netflix. But that is really the only way that I could even access international TV shows. We don't air European shows on our television stations like Europeans would air our shows. I wish I could watch more French shows, but they just aren't there. I can go onto the Internet and watch French news, but that really is about it.
I could not access the article because it said I needed to pay. However, I do not regularly watch international shows. I occasionally will watch a Bollywood movie but nothing with regularity. I think the main reason I do not watch these shows is because they are created for a different culture and I do not always relate to that culture. I think of my favorite shows on television right now and they are all very Americanized. I find a way to relate to the events happening in the show. The main reason I sometimes will watch a Bollywood film is because they are fun and the music in them can be very fun and entertaining. I like to stick with American shows and films. I also do think part of it is interest. If an international show was to become extremely popular in the United States I would definitely watch it at least once. For example, The Office is also a series in the United Kingdom and that is one show I have always loved. I think the main reasons I don't engage in international shows is culture and a little bit of interest.
ReplyDeleteThis idea of "forced- choice" is something I thought was super interesting. The media we do receive if because of "perceptions of viewers taste" and "channel identity" as well as "licensing fees." All these things filter what we view in our media. Now this isn't to say that they are wrong, I actually bet that these gatekeepers are pretty good at what they do. And can now pretty accurately judge what people will or will not want to watch. However I do watch some international shows. I went through a phase in my life where I would watch hour and hours of Japanse dramas. The initial draw to these shows was that they were made available to me. A roommate I hadn't previously connected with watched lots of them. So one day- in an effort to connect with this girl- I watched an episode with her. Five episodes later I was hooked, and had a minor headache from reading subtitles on a tiny screen. I think what kept me watching, was a. that I'm a sucker for TV, and b. that the cultural differences were fascinating. My roommate explained to me that although the couple had been physically intimate the episode before, the fact that they were now HOLDING HANDS was a much bigger deal. I also watch Bollywood films. Indian culture is a culture I love. I spent just three weeks there, but now I'm obsessed. I also liked Bollywoods before I went, but now I enjoy them even more. Bollywoods have been made available to me through Netflixs which is an interesting shift in media.
ReplyDeleteBasically I love a lot of different TV and Movies. But I'm pretty sure I'm not the norm.
I thought the article did a great job at addressing the impact television shows have around the world, and how they differ from the United States. I generally watch primarily American shows, with the exception of the British (and original) version of The Office and Downton Abbey, so this helped me better understand how TV influences people around the world. These two shows are very different - The Office is typical dry British humor which is something my dad and I both love. I watch Downton Abbey because I am fascinated by history, and this presents a part of history that hasn't really been shown before. My choice to watch these shows might also stem from the fact that I love all things having to do with England and would love to learn more about their culture, and since I don't have the means to actually go to the country, I can learn more about what influences their culture through their entertainment. Something that really caught my attention was when the author noted that many international executives are often the first to admit they don't understand much about the cultural dynamics of international television because they are focused more on the business of television.
ReplyDeleteA few thing struck me as interesting. I had no idea how integral international sales are to the survival of television shows. The text said that domestic sales barely cover production costs, and so networks really rely on international sales. I always assumed that shows were simply successful and popular in the US, so other countries picked them up a few years later. I wasn't really aware of the politics involved.
ReplyDeleteMost of the shows I watch are imported from other countries. My interest is primarily cultural, although subject matter definitely plays a part. Basically, I'm an anglophile, so most of the shows I watch are from the U.K. (Doctor Who, Top Gear, Downton Abbey, Merlin, Sherlock, etc.)
You often hear that Japan's biggest export is its culture. I think that is really obvious in things like anime, video games, the fascination with samurai, tea ceremonies, Japanese gardens, etc. Well, I think that is very much true for the U.K. as well. A lot of what it exports is its culture (through television and music, primarily, but also literature - look at J.K. Rowling! - and other things like tourism.)
I liked how the article explored the need to understand international television influences. I know this is a difficult research topic because there are so many factors on the circulation of global television. I always love going to the International Cinema on campus to experience another culture for an hour or two. My favorite three countries are India (Bollywood), France and Britain. I enjoyed the films from India and France purely because of the culture seperations that I experience. The focus of these two cultures contradict eachother in a way. India's films are focused on romance, dance and entertainment. The plotlines aren't very deep and you can sit for 3+ hours tapping your feet and smiling. On the other hand, France's films always have a deeper moral dilemna. They enjoy exploring factors such as mental ilness, tragic love and ethical decisions. Although they are laced with humor, you always leave with a question in your mind. My absolute favorite international television comes from Britain. I don't know what I would do without Doctor Who! Their shows are the most similar to America, but in a way I think they are a bit more picky about what they produce because their entertainment business is not quite as diverse as ours.
ReplyDeleteThe only memory I have of watching international shows is watching spanish soccer games and talk shows on Telemundo. My father is from Mexico and as the article points out, people want to watch things that are familiar to them. When executives choose shows to purchase for their country they are more likely to opt for ones that have a shared language, history or proximity. This is why even purchased American shows often don't compete with local prime-time television because viewers would rather watch something that hits closer to home. Just as I wasn't interested in watching spanish shows because I didn't understand spanish, members from different countries don't want to watch stuff that they can't relate to. I thought it was interesting that executives wanted to obtain shows that had "universal family themes" and that these translated to middle class themes that were thought to be "white."
ReplyDeleteJennifer Riggs
I don't think it's surprising that television is targeted to be more popular with a wider range of demographics. However, it is sad that shows in Africa are more "white." I do agree that American and European television shows are becoming tied more closely together. I do not watch any international tv shows, but I so like The Office. I haven't seen an episode of their version though, but I have friends that actually prefer it to the American version. I don't watch international TV because I don't know how to find it and I love American TV, so why would I switch? I only have a few shows I watch closely, Modern Family, Arrested Development, and The Bachelor. They are all extremely American and definitely tailored to fit the general American sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was an interesting fact that alot of foreign countries purchase US programming. I would have thought it would be cheaper to purchase in country or to self-produce. I also was surprised American programming dominated 68% of the international trade, because America is smaller than other countries I figured they would dominate more. This being said the U.S has more money than alot of bigger countries. I don't really watch any international episodes, mostly because I don't watch much TV because I don't have time.
ReplyDeleteThis research article surprised me on a lot of different levels. It was a new fact to me that it is cheaper for international countries to purchase and air American television shows rather than producing them themselves. I feel like that explains why American shows are often popular in other countries, but foreign series are rare in the US. Also, I want to know why it is that African American shows are the ethnicity that is so hard to sell internationally? What about other race prejudice? The article was talking about how the reason the Cosby Show was so popular domestically and internationally was because it didn't portray true "blackness", but I think I've heard before that when the Cosby Show first aired, it was a pretty controversial show in America because it was based on an all black family. Now, this article is acting like its not black enough! It makes me wonder if its all a cultural and time sensitive subject now. Before, when racism was more prevalent in America it was all the talk, but now, its being pushed aside as not a true portrayal of what black culture really means.
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised very pro-American so international shows were never really watched in my house, if they were even aired on TV. I do remember my brothers occasionally watching soccer games and other sports in Spanish though. The article made several interesting points about the success of international shows and the many factors that go into global television. The article made the point that shows originally made in other countries are starting to be shown here in the United States more frequently. I think a great example of this is the huge Bollywood phase that hit the US a year or two ago. International films are focused differently, usually on a more idealistic plot. The article also talked about how it is cheaper for producers in other countries to buy shows from the United States instead of creating their own because of their lack of resources and money. The article made the point that sales on domestic shows usually only cover their costs, and rarely create any profit. The real profit comes from the sales internationally.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to realize that producers in the United States might be keeping a secondary audience in mind. I did not realize that I had a lot of things I assumed about television until those assumptions were challenged by this article. I supposed one of the things I always thought was that television shows produced in the United States were mainly produced with an American audience in mind. Then the shows that other cultures liked were picked up more as a result of them coming to us than us producing a show with a secondary audience in mind.
ReplyDeleteI would say about 75% of the television shows that I watch on a consistent basis are internationally produced. I watch several British television shows, but the biggest source of my television viewing is Asian. These include k-dramas, Japanese, Thai, and Taiwanese shows. I think the biggest thing I can relate to in these shows is their culture, especially regarding relationships. As opposed to US television shows, physically intimacy is rarely shown and is usually only shown when a couple is in a very serious relationship. I appreciate that.
As someone who has lived internationally several times, international television practices have been getting on my nerves for years. I have always hated not being able to get my favorite American shows in a timely manner while abroad……#morningjensenproblems. I know this reading had a heavy focus on the issues with African Americans in TV, but what really interested me the most was learning about the distribution practices of shows and how culture and economics play a role in this. These factors help "shape programming flows" and when distribution takes place, can mean billions of extra dollars in sales.
ReplyDeleteI was interested to read that American programming dominates international trade since it is cheaper to purchase than to self-produce by other countries. This transitions nicely into the blog prompt question about watching international shows. When I started to think about it, I realized it's something I really don't do, simply because I don't need to. There is such an abundance of US shows and I don't even have time to watch all the ones I like. Branching out to the work of international actors, directors, producers, etc. doesn't really work with my already overbooked television schedule! However, growing up I always watched Degrassi: The Next Generation, also known as Degrassi. This is a Canadian show that taught me a lot in my youth about issues I would and was experiencing. I always felt like it accurately portrayed the life of kids in middle school/high school and all the drama, heartache, and joy it entails. It made no difference to me that is was Canadian. Aside from the annoying way they pronounce the word "sorry", I didn't experience, or at least not that I aware of, any international influence.
I was very surprised to learn that international sales was such a big part of the television money making schemes. I assumed that all our TV shows would be too "Americanized" for other countries to understand all that was going on in our TV shows.
ReplyDeleteI don't really watch much of any international TV, the only thing I could think of is the Mr. Bean TV series that I love. I find that humor is pretty multi-cultural. But while watching the show I would notice things that I was used too. I could tell a little bit that the humor is different than American humor but I still really enjoyed watching. It was nice to have a different spin on humor and I really find the Mr. Bean British humor hilarious. Other than that I don't branch out to much else.
There were two reasons behind the spread of international TV that I thought the article basically glossed over; these two reasons are production value and recommendations of opinion leaders. In my opinion these are the two best reasons anyone has to start watching a TV show, foreign or domestic. If a show is expertly crafted, features strong actors and has an engaging story it only makes sense there will be a wide audience for it. And secondly, if industry leaders say they are watching an international show (and are enjoying it), it can encourage a wide range of individuals to start watching as well.
ReplyDeleteI watch a great deal of international television, though mostly British TV. I've seen Luther, Sherlock, Da Ali G Show, The Office, MI-5, The I.T. Crowd, Downton Abbey, Doctor Who, and multiple mini series or BBC movies. I grew up watching many anime TV series and have seen a good deal of Bollywood films. International cinema and TV are some of my favorite cultural hobbies and I only ever watch them if it appears they have a high production value or they have come highly recommended by someone with similar taste or someone who is an entertainment opinion leader.
I have lived in other countries as a kid and never paid too much attention to the television there. I do remember watching the Simpson's behind my parent's back when I lived in Singapore though hah. My mom is Korean, so I have watched Korean dramas every once in a while...special times. There aren't subtitles and I don't speak Korean, but I could still get a good idea of what was going on in the show. It is definitely a different kind of entertainment than the typical American TV show. I think it is interesting that countries will use American television because it is cheaper to use ours than to create their own. I think we as Americans probably have a tendency to think that other countries use our stuff because it is the "best" or they want to be like us. I think a lot of American television is just trash and I can't imagine that other countries would want to spend time watching it. Culture is a huge part of television shows, so it would make sense that they aren't easily successful throughout the world.
ReplyDeleteAlrighty...TV (but lets get serious it's all about TiVo or Hulu today). But why watch any other TV other than US produced? There is SO much. we have a million TV channels (exaggeration I know) and then TV shows used to be 30 minutes but now reach up to 2 hours for some episodes. Even Hulu has it's own shows online that don't air on TV. We are bombarded with it all, so why search through international shows? There is no point. And then reading subtitles...yeah right. #Lazyandlovinit. But I keep reading through responses here and I feel like I'm alone. I guess I just don't watch much TV anyway, I live in the kitchen with Sara-B to be honest. BUT I will say that down in the JFSB in the basement they usually have chinese soaps on and I can't help but to sit and be mesmorized by the actors. #Yellowfever?
ReplyDeleteI was not surprised at all at Americas domination of international tv vieweship. For some reason, the world is obsessed with America, the American dream and all that it is portrayed for in the media. Is it necessarily on point? No. Haha. But it gives people hope of somehting better a lot of times, and in this world, that is priceless.
ReplyDeleteI am indeed a big fan of international TV. I grew up watching British drama and I miss it. British comedy too. So yes, I watch many international shows.