Television in the Network of New Media

New media have had a considerable influence on television and the viewing practices of consumers. Social media services made it possible for everyone not only to express their opinion on shows, but also, on an increasing scale, to watch them via mobile applications. To describe these processes the author introduces the concept of the ‘connectivity of television,’ developed based on the ANT theory as proposed by Bruno Latour. According to that theory, describing television as a network incorporating both human and non-human actors is an accurate representation of the modern TV entangled with new media. Additionally, it allows to depart from hierarchical definitions of television (such as John Fiske’s three orders of text) and a strict division between the broadcaster and the audience.

New media have had a considerable influence on television and the viewing practices of consumers. Social media services made it possible for everyone not only to express their opinion on shows, but also, on an increasing scale, to watch them via mobile applications. To describe these processes the author introduces the concept of the ‘connectivity of television,’ developed based on the ANT theory as proposed by Bruno Latour. According to that theory, describing television as a network incorporating both human and non-human actors is an accurate representation of the modern TV entangled with new media. Additionally, it allows to depart from hierarchical definitions of television (such as John Fiske’s three orders of text) and a strict division between the broadcaster and the audience.