Today I am going to talk about the television show Pop Idol. I will be talking on the topic of global media and will be answering the following question, “How does globalization shape media products and industry?” I will be giving specific examples from the series Pop Idol to demonstrate key aspects of globalization.
Globalization can be defined as a reduction of difference that existed between nations in time, space and culture. It makes the world seem more connected and possessing an integrated market based in capitalist/market place economics. An important aspect is the idea of glocal. Glocal is where local productions are produced with global forms and ideas. Pop Idol is a great example of glocal and globalization as it has shaped media products and industry.
Pop Idol first aired in England in 2001 and then was exported to the United States in 2003. This was a new beginning for Idol as its production expanded to 35 different countries and has been viewed in hundreds of countries around the world. Although there are 35 different versions of Pop Idol, it still has four fundamental components that remain constant in every country. The variations are changed to accommodate to the cultural proximity of the audience. These variations and cultural values are chosen and adapted in local markets as to create interest and revenue for the show.
Idol is a big business which has a format that has elements of universal appeal to any citizen of the world. This format is exploited in order to generate maximum revenue. Idol has become a business changer for all of network television as it has been a leader for other television series and networks. This exerts pressure on nations to make media more commercial through its support by advertising which is aimed at its target audience, the consumer. Not only is the global idea of Idol taken locally to hundreds of countries in the world, it is extremely popular due to its global franchising and format interactivity.
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Throughout my presentation I talked about globalization and its media products, being its glocal productions such as Indian Idol, Canadian Idol, Korean Idol, etc. These adaptations of Pop Idol are products that completely shape the media industry. Through these creations and adaptations, globalization is increasing as differences that existed between nations in time, space, culture, and market economy are reducing. The company 19Entertainment owns the format of Pop Idol. They control the content and structure of these adaptations and local productions. During discussion I raise the question, “Do you feel that 19Entertainment should have control and rights over all 35 countries glocal productions of Pop Idol?” One student said that although the structure might be the same, 19Entertainment shouldn’t have full control and rights over these glocal productions as it is adapted to fit to the cultural standards of that country. Another student disagreed with him and said that 19Entertainment was the one who first produced Pop Idol so they should obtain all control and rights. I would have to agree with both of these students. Yes 19Entertainment should have control over the standard format of the Idol series, but I believe it should be up to the producers of the different countries to have the final say as to what they will be producing. They are the ones creating a market for consumers.
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