ZURn6616 Online Television

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Jana Jedličková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Jana Jedličková, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Boris Rafailov, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 18:00–19:40 P24b
Prerequisites
at least B1 level of English (passive and active)
keen interest in television and streaming
no previous knowledge of TV studies concepts needed
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
There seems to be a lot of buzz about streaming and VOD portals and platforms these days. However, TV studies concepts, which we will use in this course to understand current changes in audiovisual media, recognize streaming as one of the distributional strategies of TV companies.

The course, combination of a lecture and a seminar, will thus focus on the definition of online television in the contemporary western media landscape and cultural industries. We will discuss and elaborate on the larger concepts of television and cultural studies but we will also focus on specific sources concerning contemporary online television, streaming services and streaming post/wars.

The course is fully led in English. That is why you should be able not only to understand and read in English but also discuss with your peers and a lecturer. The goal of the course is not to describe what online TV is or is not but to discuss, elaborate and research how online TV was and is shaped, how is it changing in current circumstances and what and who actually influences how we perceive the concept itself.

There is no need to be familiar with the concepts of TV studies or streaming industries prior to the course. Needless to say, it is of an advantage if you know a thing or two about television. The only required thin g beside the knowledge of English is your interest in the topic and willingness to discuss it with others.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to

- orient themselves in the streaming industries;
- know the difference between linear and non-linear concepts of television;
- be familiar with fundamentals of online TV streaming theory;
- recognize basic distributional and business models present in online TV industries;
- will have basic knowledge of main industry TV players in Europe an USA;
- will be able to create their own online TV projects and defend their own ideas;
- will understand the programming and content strategies main streamers use.
Syllabus
  • Detailed schedule of the course will be presented at the end of August the latest. The course is also led in interactive platform.
  • General themes:
  • 1. What is television in the digital age?
  • 2. TV industries in the age of streaming
  • 3. TV technology, convergence culture and streaming
  • 4. How we watch and use TV in the streaming age?
  • 5. Distribution and business models of VOD and FAST channels era
  • 6. Audiovisual content strategies in online spaces
  • 7. Streaming and brand
  • 8. Case studies of streaming services and online TV (e.g. Netflix, HBO Go and Max, iVysílání, Voyo, Funk.de, etc.)
Literature
    required literature
  • JOHNSON, Catherine. Online TV. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019, xii, 176. ISBN 9781138226883. info
    recommended literature
  • JENNER, Mareike. Netflix and the re-invention of television. Chan: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, viii, 299. ISBN 9783319943152. info
  • GRAY, Jonathan and Amanda D. LOTZ. Television studies. 1st pub. Cambridge: Polity, 2012, 178 s. ISBN 9780745650982. info
  • LOTZ, Amanda D. The television will be revolutionized. New York: New York University Press, 2007, xii, 321. ISBN 9780814752197. info
Teaching methods
lectures
class discussions
group projects
final project
home reading
Assessment methods
home reading every two weeks
group discussions about the read concepts and ideas during the lecture/seminar
group work participation and collective presentation of the group ideas
final project (specifics of the project will be determined in the interactive syllabus)
credit/no-credit
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information

Attendence is not followed, however it is strongly recommended since you will be taught via discussions and group work among other methods.

With the exception of the beginning of the semestr there will be no online recordings of the course.

The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2023/ZURn6616