Industries: Ownership and control

 Media conglomerate research

1) Type up your research notes from the lesson - what did you find out about your allocated media conglomerate? Selection of companies: Alphabet, The Walt Disney Company, National Amusements, Meta, News Corp, Time Warner, Comcast. If you were absent or didn't have time in the lesson to make these notes, research any one of the companies above and find examples of all the terminology outlined in the notes at the start of this blogpost.

diversification

-pixar

-marvel

-lucasfilm

cross-media regulation

-cross promotion

-platform diversification

2) Do you agree that governments should prevent media conglomerates from becoming too dominant? Write an argument that looks at both sides of this debate.

for:

-media conglomerates can cause there to be negative changes in the media

-being too dominant means there is less variety of many media products being around 

-this government regulation allows companies to not be bought out

against:

-there are already too many media products in the world

-being dominant is not nessisarily a bad thing

Media Magazine reading and questions

Media Magazine 52 has a good feature on the changing relationship between audiences and institutions in the digital age. Go to our Media Magazine archive, click on MM52 and scroll to page 9 to read the article 'Two Key Concepts: The Relationship Between Audience and Institution'.

1) Briefly describe the production, promotion and distribution process for media companies.

• Production: This phase involves the creation of the media content. It includes initial conceptualisation and scriptwriting, securing financing, hiring cast and crew, filming or recording the content, and finally post-production editing to achieve the final master copy [1].
• Promotion: Once the content is produced, promotion (marketing) aims to build audience awareness and interest. This involves activities like developing advertising campaigns, creating trailers, issuing press releases, arranging interviews, and utilizing social media and other platforms to generate buzz and attract the target demographic [1].
• Distribution: The final phase delivers the finished media product to the audience. This involves the logistics of getting the content into the market, which can include physical distribution (e.g., DVDs, theatrical releases) or, more commonly today, digital distribution through broadcasting networks, streaming services, or online platforms [1]. Distributors manage the process of licensing, sales, and ensuring the content is available through appropriate channels. 

2) What are the different funding models for media institutions?

Public and government funding,Commercial funding

3) The article gives a lot of examples of major media brands and companies. Choose three examples from the article and summarise what the writer is saying about each of them. 

BBC	Licence fee paid by the public.
	Sales of DVDs, magazines, merchandising and  other BBC products.
	Sales of programmes and formats to other broadcasters.
ITV	Fees paid by advertisers buying advertising space  on the channel.
	Programme sponsorship.
	Sale of its programmes and formats to   other broadcasters.
Sky One	Income is generated by subscription fees and  advertising revenue.

4) What examples are provided of the new business models media companies have had to adopt due to changes in technology and distribution?

 Marvel Studios is owned by Marvel  Entertainment – which is owned by  The Walt Disney Company. 

6) Do you agree with the view that traditional media institutions are struggling to survive?

yes i do agree with this statement because i believe that traditions are starting to change 

7) How might diversification or vertical integration help companies to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape? 

Diversification and vertical integration help media companies thrive by providing financial stability and greater control,

8) How do YOU see the relationship between audience and institution in the future? Will audiences gain increasing power or will the major global media conglomerates maintain their control?

I believe that we have more control on the media we see today