Impact of the Internet on Mass Media
The field of Mass Media has been continuously changing over the years. The introduction of technology has been responsible for most of the changes in Mass Media. For example, the emergence of high-speed gadgets that have impacted the collection and transmission of information has made Mass Media more reliable for information. The Internet has come as a relief for media houses owing to the challenges that had existed in terms of data transmission and management. Media houses have been quick to embrace the internet, and the results have been positive. However, the internet has not faced a smooth welcome in the Mass Media platforms and has had to go through significant challenges. The introduction of the internet has come as a breakthrough against the challenges faced due to low data transmission and ineffective management strategies. Besides, legacy media institutions have been relying on the internet for as long as they have been in existence. However, the features of the internet have been changing significantly with the introduction of new technology to give more efficiency in the operation of the media. Developments on the internet have brought a significant change in the way legacy media institutions are managed, and the television has been one of the primary beneficiaries.
History
The relationship between the internet and television has existed for as long as the two institutions have been in existence. The television would not operate effectively without the internet. For example, television has always depended on the internet as a source of information and as a means of transmitting information. Technology has been behind the development of the internet, and the television has been on the frontline in embracing the ever-emerging developments. Moreover, the history of the internet is defined according to four phases that have involved the immense application of technology.
Internet refers to the connection of several computers or networks to transmit and receive information. The development of the internet has gone through several stages, owing to the ever-evolving technological aspect. However, four significant aspects of the internet have dominated history and have continued to develop under new technology (Trinkle, Dennis and Merriman, n. p). First, the infrastructural aspect of the internet was initiated by technology, and research continues to make the available infrastructural developments more effective. Generally, the infrastructural developments range from the scale, performance, to high-level functionality and formed the initial stages in the development of the internet. Secondly, the internet has gone through a series of changes in the operational and management aspects. The transmission of data has to be managed, and a media has to be set, where the management of the information to be transmitted is organized. Moreover, the social aspect of the internet came in the process of explaining how users would interact with each other through the internet as well as the commercial aspect.
The social and commercial aspects of the internet form the other bit of history that has developed over the years. The social aspect deals with the way that the internet brings people from different backgrounds to share different ideologies. The history of the internet has seen several developments being put in place to reduce the conflicts that may arise in the course of interaction. Also, the commercial aspect of the internet deals with the way the information found on the internet is made available for utilization. However, the most significant historical event was the move to have television channels available online.
Adoption
In 2007, a breakthrough on the internet gave television channels to stream online. The move allowed internet users to access television programs without having to switch on the television boxes. The online availability of television channels has continued to grow, and the television has been on the receiving end of the benefits, with the number of users growing significantly.
Television services are used widely across the world. However, the affordability of television sets is a significant setback in the development of the television sector. Therefore, the introduction of online television platforms was a major step towards reaching a more significant number of users (Ellis, Katie, and Mike, n. p). Generally, the reception of the move was positive, with most users rushing to enjoy the adventure of accessing television channels through the internet. Also, portable computers and smartphones were getting into the market, and thus, the move to access the television channels was a significant step towards reducing the burden of having to own a television set. Furthermore, the flexibility of internet services enabled users to access information from different places where television sets cannot be used.
Predicted and Immediate Change
The introduction of the internet into the field of televisions was predicted to be a harmful step to take. First, access to television channels was seen as a risk for an unhealthy competition for the sellers of television sets. Also, the income from broadcasting was predicted to go low because users would find ways to access programs without making the necessary subscriptions. However, the impact of the internet has instead been positive with media houses reporting improved productivity. The fact that users can access programs online does not limit their ability to purchase television sets as well as making the necessary payments. Generally, the introduction of online television programs has served to improve the rate at which information moves from one point to another. Also, the marketing of television programs has become easier with the television media houses utilizing the internet to reach a more significant number of users. Generally, the perception of the television has changed with people moving from the traditional methods of following television programs to modern methods.
Analysis of Change
The Internet is essential in the transmission and receiving of information. The introduction of online television led to an improved motive towards the search for information. First, the internet provides a platform where an individual has the option to search for the relevant information before choosing the program to follow. Traditionally, television users were limited to a particular number of channels that the television could provide (Becker, 7). The internet, however, offers a variety of programs and channels from which a user can choose hence an improved user interaction. Also, the services provided by television media houses have improved to cater to the growing user network. Besides, a larger user network means diversity in interests and hence a need for diversification in the delivery of services. Also, the challenges of inaccessible regions have been solved by the introduction of the internet. For example, television channels have acquired international following and have been forced to focus on a diversified user network apart from the known local user base. Generally, the change in the delivery of television services has been a significant step towards aligning the television sector with the changing technology.
Closing
Mass media has been on a constant need for change to be aligned to the fast-growing field of technology. The introduction of the internet and the readily embraced association between mass media and the internet have played a significant role in giving mass media the current reception. The traditional television industry was based on the need for a user to own a television set and be in a covered area to view the various television channels. Also, the users were required to make some subscriptions before getting access to certain channels, and the process was costly. Furthermore, the information obtained was not reliable because users did not have an alternative source of information. The emergence of the internet brought to light in that users do not have to own a television set to watch television channels. Also, the quality of information has improved since the loyalty of the users can easily be turned to the internet as a source of information.
In sum, developments on the internet have brought a significant change in the way legacy media institutions are managed, and the television has been one of the main beneficiaries. The history of the internet is defined according to four phases that have involved the immense application of technology. The introduction of online television platforms was a major step towards reaching a larger number of users. Generally, the change in the delivery of television services has been a significant step towards aligning the television sector with the changing technology. The introduction of the internet and the readily embraced association between mass media and the internet have played a significant role in giving mass media the current reception.
Works Cited
Becker, Beatriz. “Doing and thinking journalism in the twenty-first century, a dialogue with Barbie Zelizer.” Journal of Applied Journalism & Media Studies 5.1 (2016): 3-10.
Ellis, Katie, and Mike Kent. “Accessible television: The new frontier in disability media studies brings together industry innovation, government legislation and online activism.” First Monday 20.9 (2015).
Trinkle, Dennis A., and Scott A. Merriman. The World History Highway: A Guide to Internet Resources: A Guide to Internet Resources. Routledge, 2017.