NDM: Amazon set to launch its first three original TV shows for children

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/may/16/amazon-original-tv-shows-children-netflix

This article focuses on the issue of Amazon preparing to launch its first three original TV shows which would be targeting children. Two of the shows are called Tumble Leaf and Creative Galaxy, which would be debut on the service on 23 May and 27 June, primary targeting preschool-children. Significantly, the shows will be available to stream on range of devices, including Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet and Fire TV set-box . This is effective as it allows children to watch the shows on devices whenever they wish to, instead of the scheduled timings.

Moreover, Tara Sorensen (Amazon Studio head of kids programming) stated: "We’re working with some of the most renowned creators in the business to introduce programming that promotes life-long learning through play". This establishes that the three shows would be suitable for children, as they would be learning new things. To add, all three of the shows were piloted on Amazon Prime which allowed users to rate and review the episodes. As a result, the feedback was used to inform Amazon's decision to commission the full runs of each show. 

Furthermore, the company also have ideas on creating apps and other interactive, educational content for children. This could be beneficial for families as it would give them something to purchase for their children, and therefore generating money for the company. Amazon is the only company thinking about delivering original TV shows to children through digital channels. Significantly, last year Netflix signed a deal for Dream Works Animation to provide more than 300 hours of original shows for children, based on characters from its films. 

Overall, it can be argued that Amazon's new approach would be successful in maintain their audiences or increasing the amount of viewers, as children are likely to watch new shows. In relation to new/digital media, it could be suggested that companies are taking advantage of new devices such as tablets. This is because, they can now stream their products online which contrasts to traditional forms of media. 

NDM: Mail Online's 10th birthday: from the sidelines to the sidebar

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/15/mail-online-10th-birthday-sidebar

This article focuses on the issue of Mail Online's 10th birthday, which is the UK's most popular news website. The Mail Online is the online version of the Daily Mail, which takes a right-wing, conservative perspective on issues such as gender, sexuality, ethnicity, etc. Significantly, Mail Online attracts more than 179.8 million monthly browsers which reinforces the popularity of the website. 

Moreover, it was stated that the Daily Mail will attract the younger, more affluent audience usually associated with the internet." This is because, the website includes a variety of features from sports, health to TV & Showbiz which is likely to appeal to the young demographic, as they may be interested in wanting to know about the latest gossip. To add, the front page of the website is different from other websites such as The Guardian, The Times which makes it stand out. Also, the Daily Mail contains a lot of celebrity gossip compared to any UK news website which makes it even more successful among readers.

Overall, it can be argued that the Daily Mail UK's most successful news website and as the website targets middle class individuals, they are likely to use the website as their main source of current affairs. The fact that the Daily Mail has a 'femail' column makes the website even more popular, as caters for women as well. 

NDM: Poll: nearly 50% of year 10 students feel addicted to the internet

This article focuses on the issue of teenagers being addicted to the internet. According to the survey, almost half of all 14 and 15 year olds feel that they are addicted to the internet, with more than three quarters of pupils taking their laptops, phones or tablets to bed at night. Significantly, those who take their devices to bed communication is based on social media or watching videos, which was found in the study of 2,200 students in nine schools across England and Scotland.

Furthermore, the survey was carried out by Tablets of Schools which is a charity led by technology industry groups, such as Carphone Warehouse and Dixon that campaigned for devices similar to iPad s in education. To add, the study revealed that third of students who used their devices in bed was because of homework and therefore the rest used the internet because they were addicted to it. Notably, the suvery also identified gender differences as 46% of girls sometimes felt addicted compared to 36% boys, however more boys admitted to feeling a compulsion towards computer games. A student told researchers they were postitive about the internet and another revealed, "It's the first thing I look at in the morning and the last thing at night. It seems I'm constantly on it". 

Overall, it can be argued that the development of technology has impacted people, especially the young generation as some have become addicted to the internet. New/digital media has made it easier for the youth to connect with others globally, which contrasts to traditional forms of media. Although this issue on internet addiction is being debated, there is evidence that British children spend  more time online than many of their European peers. Thus it could be suggested that society has moved into the stage of an 'Digital Age', as the internet is taking over some individuals lives. 

NDM: One Direction coverage boosts Sun on Sunday sales by 2%

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/09/one-direction-coverage-boosts-sun-on-sunday-sales

This article focuses on the issue of One Direction advert increase the sales for the newspaper Sun on Sunday. One direction's latest tour was beneficial for the company last month, as it increased the newspaper sales by 2% and therefore in total the company topped 1.7 million. Significantly, The News Group title sol on average of 1,721,068 copies according to the Audit Bureau of Circulation figures.

Furthermore, the sales also increased due to the stories about boxer Amir Khan and actor  Kym Mash. As The Sun primary target are working class individuals from the social economic class C1/C2/D, it could be suggested that they would be appealed in celebrity gossip. To add on, the Mail on Sunday increased by 0.7% last month to 1,566,728. However, The Observer had the biggest decrease in sales, down 3.6% to 206, 869 which could suggest that the newspaper is less popular among readers.

Overall, it is evident that the Sun on Sunday has become popular with readers compared to any other nation newspapers. As One Direction is a extremely successful boy band across the nation, advertising their tour would be beneficial for the company as most people would buy the company of the newspaper. As a result, it could be suggested that print media is not entirely in decline, as people are willing to purchase a copy.

NDM: Tired of pink and keen on football: here come the pre-teen feminists

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/may/04/here-come-the-pre-teen-feminists

This article focuses on the issue of the UK feminist group promoting their Schools Against Sexism campaign. The editor of 'Girl Talk' Bea Appleby, stated that the 'girls are amazing' campaign was an overwhelming approach. She revealed:We're promoting the feminist values – equality, sisterhood and empowerment and making the magazine a safe place [that] girls can learn to be proud of who they are and meet great role models. I didn't think it was right that all our readers would see were pop stars and models". Significantly, this would have a positive impact on teenagers as by creating a feminist magazine, this would help girls have a better insight on feminism.

Furthermore, Sophie Bennett of UK Feminista started lobbying schools to tackle sexism and asking headteachers to sign its Schools Against Sexism pledge. Signigcantly, Sophie revealed:"There's been a huge upsurge in the number of feminist groups in schools, colleges and universities. A new generation of girls are standing up against sexism and demanding change".  Moreover, there have been UK Feminist workshops on gender equality taking place in schools and Pinkstinks in 2008 campaigned against sexiust labelling.

To conclude, it can be argued that Feminism has postively impacted teenagers by promoting gender equality. The fact that some schools are creating their own Feminst magazine would be beneficial for teenagers to be introduced to Feminist beliefs.

NDM:Tablet computer web browsing by older people surges

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/apr/29/tablet-computer-web-browsing-older-generation-surges

This article focuses on the issue of the increase of the older generation engaging with the internet. Significantly, people over the age of 65 are accessing the internet through using tablet computers. According to 'Adults' Media Use and Attidudes' individuals between the age demographic of 65-74 are accessing the internet through their tablets, which has rose from 5% to 17% in 2012 and 2013.

Although there is a increase of the older generation using the interent, Ofcom identified that they are less likely to interact with online activities, download TV programmes, or visit social networking sites. To add, Ofcom also found that over 65s spent less time surfuring the web compared to other generations, but majority would use the internet for emails. Moreover, according to Ofcom computers, laptops and notebooks are the most popular to access the internet as 78% are interacting through these devices. Notably, it is evident that TV is in decline because of the development of new media, however  42% of adults revealed that they would miss it if was taken away. For example, 16-24 year olds are more than three times more likely to miss their smartphones over TV, which contrasts to 65 year olds saying that they would miss watching TV.

Overall, to a great extent, it can be argued that the emergence of new media has impacted the young and older generation as more people are interacting with new devices. It is more likely for young adults to access the internet through their smartphones, but as older people are now engaging with tablets shows that new/digital media has impacted on their lifestyles. Although the older generating are interacting with new media, they are still using traditional forms of media which could show that they have not adapted to the digital age.

Case study presentation: key notes

1. Nadeem

• Twitter has become a powerful company at the top of the social network monopoly.
• 500 million users worldwide (2012 statistics)
• Twitter could be considered as a positive feature. (Citizen journalism)
• The hashtag icon represents a particular topic that can lead consumers to a deeper interactivity on that particular topic of interest.
• Social media is a tool which allows users to interact feely online.

2. Harpal

• Spotify is a free commercial music service.
• Spotify was launched in 2008.
• Consumers have access to 20 million songs.
• Privacy issues -  illegal downloads.
• Empowers audiences in allowing them to post their music videos on YouTube. (E.g Justin Bieber)

3. Anita

• Focusing on the film industry.
• Netflix supplies a wife range of films from new to old for different age demographic
• Netflix available on tablet.
• Primary audience for Netflix - 18-36 year olds.
• Concerns: Schools have been illegally showing videos for educational purposes.
• Universities are taking advantage of Netflix rental and streaming videos.

4. Gagandeep

• Focusing on the film industry.
• Sales have dropped due to Spotify
• "CD revenue dropped 11.7%"
• "Digital revenue grew by 4.3%!
• 6 million Spotify subscribers
• Pluralists perspective: ordinary people are creating and distributing their own music.

5. Jinan

• Focusing on smartphones.
• Iphone 5 - released on the 12th September
• Samsung Galaxy runs by Android System
• More convergence
• UGC - less censorship
• Social implication - moral panic

6. Zulq

• Focusing on Sky.
• BSkyB owned by Rupert  Murdock
• Over 1000 channels, 50 channels being free view
• Sky+ was launched in 2002
• Sky Go was launched in 2006
• Audiences: film lovers, active subscribers, documentaries fans.
• In 2009 BSkyB received 9million views
• Time Shifting - people no longer have to watch their programmes on scheduled timing.

7. Samuel 

• Focusing on the music industry.
• "Technology has changed everything"
• Album sale have dropped
• Itunes and Spotify are making the most money in the music industry
• CD revenue has dropped by 11.7%
• Examples: Justin Bieber, Lilly Allen, Connor Maynard
• There is a disruption of the record companies.

8. Stefan

• Focusing on Instagram
• Online sharing communication
• Launched in October 2010 - gained popularity immediently
• April 10 2012 - Facebook brought Instagram.

9. Harvey

• Focusing on the film industry
• The speed has changed between traditional and digital films
• Digital camera's are easier to edit
• Audiences have responded to these changes, as some are creating their own films
• Marxist perspective: film makers can spread dominant ideologies to the audiences and there are still six dominant companies in the film industry.