Evaluate The Relevance Of Clay Shirkys 'End Of Audience' Theory To Long Form Television Drama

Clay Shirkys end of audience theory argues that in the 'new' media every consumer is now a producer. Behaviour is variable across different sites, with some of the audience creating content, some synthesizing content and some consuming content. According to this theory user generated content creates an emotional connection between people who care about something. The 'old' media created a mass audience. The 'new' media provides a platform for people to discuss. This theory applies to Stranger Things because fans have taken the content from Stranger Things and used it to produce their own content such as memes, fan art and edits. This is known as becoming a 'textual poacher'. Similarly, on twitter fans have created viral hashtags such as #justiceforbarb and #weareallbarb this allows an entire community to come together of people who all love Stranger Things who can discuss and share ideas and theories. This in turn develops a community known as a ‘fandom’. This can have a positive impact on Netflix because the content the prosumers create acts as free press for Stranger Things exposing the content to an even wider audience. On the other hand, this could also have a negative impact on Netflix because negative reviews and criticisms can also go viral quickly which may deter people from watching. Likewise, with The Killing DR have created their own webpage where viewers can take part in polls to see what the audience believes is going to happen next, however this platform was created by the producers of The Killing DR which does not make it fully audience driven. A blog was also made on The Guardian with this site for people to say what Sarah Lund meant to them, this again is allowing people to come toegther on the 'new' media to discuss their common interests and create a communtiy for The Killing.