There has been a huge transformation in Television over the years. We have gone from Satellite and Cable TV to an era of Internet distributed television. IDT has used the foundations of the experience created by satellite and cable TV however it has drastically changed the distribution of television and in turn has affected the consumption of television. Much of these transformations have been heavily influenced by the powerhouse distributer Netflix.

Lotz (3:2017) discusses the transformation of television and suggests it’s important to consider the impact of Netflix and the influence of their network model all together. Netflix has created an exemplary model which is frequently adopted by other distribution services such as Amazon. Netflix is not the defining cause of the transformation however they have drastically propelled the transformation that had already been occurring (Lotz 14:2017). Originally Netflix was an online DVD distributer and have since developed their model into a multi-billion worth streaming service (Lotz 23:2017). Before the 2000s television was structured and had a linear schedule where broadcast signals could only transmit one message. Consequently, television created at this time was for the masses. Also, viewers were encouraged to watch one television show after another. However, with the introduction of IDT the practices of consumption were challenged particularly by platforms such as Netflix. Netflix encourages their viewers to binge-watch by releasing seasons of tv shows all at once rather than one episode at a time. For example Netflix released the whole season for each season of Stranger Things (2016) which created huge fan excitement.

Netflix is very recognisable as a platform for binging series which is a new viewing practice that demonstrates one way the consumption of TV has changed. Consequently, TV shows created by online streaming services tend to be more aimed at specific paying audiences rather than for the masses like satellite and cable TV. Ultimately, Netflix is extremely important when understanding IDT as it has been one of the leading forces in the transformation of how TV is distributed and consumed. This can be understood through the frameworks they have created through their platform which are replicated by many other online streaming services.

Amanda Lotz (2017), ‘Theorizing the Nonlinear Distinction of Internet-Distributed Television’, Portals: A Treatise on Internet Distributed Television

Stranger Things. (2016) The Duffer Brothers

Zara Bloom – 33751437