The advent of electronic media in the 1920s marked the beginning of the information age and contributed to the formation of modern mass society. The introduction of new communication media, which allowed for the mass production and distribution of information and entertainment services, had wide-reaching consequences for social and cultural life: it transformed human cognition; it changed the organization of everyday life; it linked the world more closely together by means of a global media network. Particularly the television medium opened up a new perspective on the world and revolutionized entertainment, and it soon started its triumphant advance throughout the world.
The U.S. played a prominent role in the development and global distribution of television technology and programming. America began early to experiment with television technology, but for the time being, it was commercial radio that “quickly grew to become the primary entertainment and information source for Americans throughout the Great Depression and World War II” (Emmert, “Broadcast Media”). At last, television was introduced to the public at the New York World’s Fair in 1939, which had “Tomorrow - Now!” (Campbell et al. 13) as a motto. The public gave the new medium an enthusiastic reception, and soon after World War II, “television's visual images replaced the audio-only limitation of radio as the predominant entertainment and news vehicle” (Emmert, “Broadcast Media”). During the 1940s and 1950s, television technology and broadcasting transmission techniques were further refined: The cable system was rapidly enhanced and soon stretched across the U.S., thereby gradually replacing the transmission by over-the-air broadcasting signals, which is extremely susceptible to interferences. But only the advent of the cost-effective satellite broadcasting technology made the global transmission of mass media services possible:
The invention and continuous improvement of satellite communications, computers and computer networks, cable television and fiber optics offer the means of blanketing any part of the world instantaneously with a torrent of imagery and data.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Culture
- 2.1. Culture and Society
- 2.1.1. Culture as 'Webs of Significance'
- 2.1.2. Cultural Hegemony
- 2.1.3. Cultural Imperialism
- 2.2. Culture as Symbols
- 2.2.1. From Elitist High Art to Mass-Produced Popular Culture
- 2.2.2. Popular Culture and Its Emphasis on Visual Design
- 2.3. Television: A Popular Cultural Medium
- 2.3.1. Television Consumption
- 2.3.2. Media Socialization and Audience Effect Studies
- 2.1. Culture and Society
- 3. U.S. Television
- 3.1. The U.S. Television System and Industry
- 3.1.1. U.S. Television and Advertising
- 3.1.2. The Major U.S. Television Networks
- 3.1.3. 'Merger Mania' in the U.S. Media Sphere
- 3.1.4. The International Flow of U.S. Programs
- 3.2. U.S. Television Entertainment
- 3.2.1. Fictional Television Entertainment: Prime Time Series
- 3.2.1.1. Rich, Young and Beautiful: Depictions of Wealth, Women and the American Beauty Ideal in Popular U.S. Series
- 3.2.1.2. Crime Time: Television Violence and the Depiction of Ethnic Minorities in Crime Series
- 3.2.1.3. The U.S. as a Land of Modernity and Scientific V
- 3.2.1. Fictional Television Entertainment: Prime Time Series
- 3.1. The U.S. Television System and Industry
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This master's thesis examines the influence of American television on societies worldwide, focusing on the role of television in the Americanization of cultures. The study is divided into three main chapters addressing culture, American television, and Americanization. * The relationship between culture and society, and how culture shapes national identity and the drive to spread one's own culture. * The structure and development of the U.S. television system, including economic factors influencing programming and the international export of American television shows. * The diverse reactions to American cultural imperialism, analyzing both positive and negative effects of Americanization on global communities.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the thesis, establishing the significance of television as a dominant global medium and its role in shaping cultural perceptions. It introduces the central research question concerning the influence of American television on societies worldwide and outlines the structure of the thesis, which is divided into three main chapters focusing on culture, American television, and the process of Americanization. 2. Culture: This chapter delves into the multifaceted concept of culture, exploring its relationship with society and national identity. It examines culture as a system of practices and hegemonic values that shapes communal life and influences a nation's self-understanding and interactions with other cultures. The chapter also explores the symbolic representation of values and ideals through cultural icons and artifacts, and analyzes television's role as a cultural medium for communicating ideological messages in modern mass society. It lays the groundwork for understanding how American television, as a powerful cultural artifact, disseminates particular values and ideals internationally. 3. U.S. Television: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. television system and industry. It begins by examining the economic factors—such as advertising—that shape programming and the international export of American shows. The development of major U.S. television networks and the rise of multinational media conglomerates are discussed. The chapter also analyzes how American television entertainment—both fictional (using prime-time series as examples) and non-fictional (such as news programs)—presents images of American society, its values, and its portrayal of other nations. The analysis explores depictions of social classes, gender roles, and ethnic relations, revealing how these representations contribute to the dissemination of American cultural values globally.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
American television, cultural imperialism, Americanization, media globalization, cultural hegemony, television entertainment, U.S. television industry, social values, cultural identity, media effects, popular culture.
Frequently Asked Questions: Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text provides a comprehensive preview of a master's thesis examining the influence of American television on societies worldwide, focusing on the role of television in the Americanization of cultures.
What are the key themes explored in this thesis?
The key themes include the relationship between culture and society, the structure and development of the U.S. television system, the international export of American television shows, and diverse reactions to American cultural imperialism, analyzing both positive and negative effects of Americanization on global communities.
What is the structure of the thesis?
The thesis is divided into three main chapters: Chapter 1 (Introduction), Chapter 2 (Culture), and Chapter 3 (U.S. Television). Each chapter delves into specific aspects of the relationship between American television and its global impact.
What does Chapter 1 (Introduction) cover?
Chapter 1 sets the stage, establishing the significance of television as a global medium and its role in shaping cultural perceptions. It introduces the central research question and outlines the thesis structure.
What does Chapter 2 (Culture) cover?
Chapter 2 explores the multifaceted concept of culture, its relationship with society and national identity, and how culture shapes national identity and the drive to spread one's own culture. It examines culture as a system of practices and hegemonic values and analyzes television's role as a cultural medium.
What does Chapter 3 (U.S. Television) cover?
Chapter 3 provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S. television system and industry, examining economic factors shaping programming and the international export of American shows. It discusses the development of major U.S. television networks and analyzes how American television entertainment presents images of American society and its values globally. It explores depictions of social classes, gender roles, and ethnic relations.
What are some specific examples analyzed in Chapter 3?
Chapter 3 uses examples such as prime-time series to analyze depictions of wealth, women, and the American beauty ideal; it also examines the depiction of ethnic minorities in crime series and the portrayal of the U.S. as a land of modernity and scientific advancement.
What are the keywords associated with this thesis?
Keywords include American television, cultural imperialism, Americanization, media globalization, cultural hegemony, television entertainment, U.S. television industry, social values, cultural identity, media effects, and popular culture.
What is the overall objective of this thesis?
The overall objective is to examine the influence of American television on societies worldwide and its role in the Americanization of cultures.
What kind of data is used in this research?
While not explicitly stated, the context implies that the research likely utilizes qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods, studying media content and potentially audience reception.
Who is the intended audience for this thesis?
The intended audience is likely academic, given its structured and professional approach to analyzing themes, and its use for academic use.
- Quote paper
- Mieke Schüller (Author), 2006, U.S. Television as a Cultural Force - The Americanization of Cultures, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/68248
