Contemporary media production and transformation : media convergence in a public service broadcaster

Abstract

Mobile apps, social media platform as well as the digital devices have changed our lifestyle tremendously. In the modern capitalistic society, long working hours and limited personal time are common among in the society. Although the limited personal time restricted our leisure time, our media consuming habit is also shifted to adapted to the limited personal time thanks to the advanced information communication technologies (ICTs). ICTs not only help us to consume vast amount of information around the world, but also inviting us to access to the internet regardless of the physical place and time. It also helps us to digitalise different format of information, such as texts, audio, videos, etc., in the same digital bit so users can access to different formats of resources through various types of digital device now. The above media convergence provides many entertainment for the internet users and it suits the contemporary capitalistic society lifestyle.

With the vast amount of information available on the internet, the conventional media is facing severe competition from the cyberspace counterparts. The static and fixed TV schedule is a thing of past because audience can consume various TV programmes regardless of time and place on the internet now. As such, media convergence brings difficulties in operating media business in the contemporary society. TV ratings of the conventional media are affected by the prevalentce of using ICTs. However, some conventional media view the media convergence and digitalisation are new opportunities for development. The high definition resolution and advanced technical quality of the digital footages and increasing channels or platforms for broadcasting the media products mean there are more channels for the users to approach or learn about own media products. The key is how to make their media products adapt to different media platforms on the internet and invite more internet users to consume the programmes afterwards.

In this Thesis, we will use a conventional media in Hong Kong – RTHK to study the transformation of conventional media in adapting to the network society. Media convergence brings many possibilities to this 87-year-old Public Service Broadcaster (PSB). Media convergence also helps this institution to produce many niche and edgy programmes in a more attractive way for the general public to understand different social issues. RTHK case not only helps us to understand the media convergence in a conventional media, but also gives us an insight to learn about the nature of PSB as well as the difference between PSB and private media business.