Long form TV dramas

In the exam, 1 long answer , 30 marks , 60 mins
                    1 Applying a theory , 10 marks , 25 mins

Institutional context: US network broadcasters must satisfy their advertisers and hold market share. They are controlled by federal regulation.

US cable television: Launched in 1970s, HBO was the 1st US national subscription cable TV channel. Other major US players include showtime and Fox.

Subscription VOD: 3/4 of UK households have personal viewer recorder (PVR) uptake but it has plateaued. The use of time shift is increasing. Growth of SVOD web based channels such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Now TV is considerable.

  

Netflix dominates with 24% of UK market and £5m subscribers. 10% growth between 2015 - 16. Rise of binge watching started with DVD boxsets in late 90s / early 00s. Partially due to syndication problems in the UK.
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Been a move from 'water cooler' tv to 'shared universe' fandom (as with cinema).
Rise of easter eggs - hidden references , in jokes (TV , Film and Video Games)

Why do audiences love LFTVD:

• High quality dramas
• Multiple episodes , hours, years
• Content can be dark or difficult or innovative
• It now attracts some of the best and innovative writers and actors
• Time shifters, easily accessible
• Following the characters long term
• Characters development over 100s of hours
• Breaking codes / conventions e.g Plot armour

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'State of the Nation' TV
Long form shows challenged the simplistic storylines and stereotypical characters that dominate network TV in the US e.g. CSI

HBO (Time Warner) launched The Sopranos in 1999 to 2007, which was a huge commercial and critical hit. Increasingly these shows were about the crisis of US identity & hegemony.