Big data analytics and the transformation of the British television Industry

The project will investigate the UK TV industry's response to the emergence of big data analytics as a key component of media industry business models (e.g. Netflix). It will identify the challenges and opportunities big data poses for the UK TV industry by examining the three key areas currently affected by the development of the digital analytic landscape: production, distribution and audience monetisation. The transformation from analogue to digital distribution, especially with regard to the emergence of multi-platform viewing and social media, has previously been framed as a disruption to existing business models. However, big data analytics offer a new business model in which large scale measurement of audience behaviour and tastes informs production and distribution and provides new means of audience monetization. The project will explore industry discourses with regard to the appropriate role of big data in the production and distribution of UK television content and audience monetization.