Media Industries Exam 1 Study Guide

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to media industries, intellectual property, the digital divide, and regulatory frameworks.

Intellectual Property (IP)

Intangible creations of the human mind, protected by law to ensure creators benefit from their work.

Non-Utilitarian Media

Media that does not fulfill essential human needs, driven instead by desires for entertainment and social connection.

Content Creator vs. Content Distributor

Content creator makes original content, while the distributor delivers it to audiences; the distinction has blurred in modern media.

Mass Media

Media designed for large, undifferentiated audiences, such as NBC or CBS.

Niche Media

Media tailored to specific and narrow audiences, such as Animal Planet or Nickelodeon.

Public Sphere

A unique space for public debate where messages can be disseminated.

Agency

The amount of freedom journalists have within their organization.

Circumscribed Agency

Limited independence within media due to corporate cultures and hierarchies.

Ideological Uncertainty

The challenge of ascertaining the societal impact of controlled ideological content in media.

Cultures of Production

Media producers often unintentionally reproduce norms and ideologies due to audience isolation.

Organizational Hierarchies

Hierarchies that can both support and hinder journalistic independence.

Analog Media

Physical copies of songs or movies, like VHS, requiring specific readers.

Digital Media

Content stored in binary that is portable and cheaper to distribute.

Domestic Media

Media created for a national audience.

Global Media

Media created for a worldwide audience to mitigate risk.

Mass Production

The process of manufacturing large quantities of identical products.

Mass Customization

The production of large volumes tailored to specific audiences.

Just-in-Time Production

Producing goods as close as possible to the purchase time.

Distribution Windows

Timed release of content across different platforms.

Industrialization of Culture Framework

A model that categorizes culture into four levels: culture, social trends, mandates, and conditions.

Commercial Mandate

Goals of organizations focused on earning profits.

Non-Commercial Mandate

Goals that prioritize values other than profit.

Conglomerations

Large media entities owning multiple unrelated businesses.

Consolidations

Mergers of companies in the same industry resulting in a new identity.

Sunk Costs

Money spent before determining if media will be successful.

Public Good

Media that can be reused and is not destroyed after consumption.

Artificial Scarcity

Blocking access to create demand and urgency for content.

Bundling

Selling packages of entertainment to maximize revenue.

Vertical Integration

A business strategy where companies own the supply chain from production to distribution.

Horizontal Integration

A strategy where companies acquire other companies at the same production level to increase market share.

Formatting

Emphasizing media features that have previously succeeded.

Known Talent

Utilizing familiar faces in media to reduce risk.

Known Products

Featuring familiar brands in media productions.

Known Formats

Adopting existing successful media formats.

Digital Divide

The gap in access to high-speed internet between different populations.

Dual-Product Markets

Markets where two products—media and its audience—are sold.

Mixed Mandate

Funding from taxes and advertisements targeted toward underserved communities.

DIY Mandate

Media serving local needs funded by donations and government support.

Government Mandate

Media created to serve government interests, funded by taxes.

Commercial Mandate Characteristics

Advertisers pay but consumers indirectly finance media through subscriptions.

Self-Regulation

Media making decisions about content viability, either formally or informally.

Miller v. California

A landmark case defining what constitutes obscene material.

Safe Harbor Hours

Times when indecent material can be aired on broadcast media with fewer restrictions.

Paramount Decree

A 1948 Supreme Court ruling limiting vertical integration in the film industry.

FCC

The Federal Communications Commission responsible for regulating TV and radio content.

FTC

The Federal Trade Commission regulating advertising and aspects of the internet.

Hays Code

A formal self-regulatory code used in the film industry to oversee content.

MPAA Rating System

A formal system rating movies based on content suitability for audiences.

Cross-Ownership

Allowing one company to own multiple media outlets across different types.

Duopolies

Owning two similar media outlets within the same market.

Natural Monopolies

A market dominated by one provider due to inefficiency in competition.

Consumer Complaints

The process through which consumers report issues to the FCC, often leading to inquiries.

Obscene Content Standards

Criteria to determine what is considered obscene in media based on community standards.

Fair Use

Limited use of copyrighted materials for specific purposes like teaching or criticism.

Public Domain

Materials for which copyright has expired and is free for public use.

Creative Commons Movement

A movement allowing artists to share limited rights of their works.

Station Groups

Companies primarily owning local TV and radio stations.

Just-in-Time Distribution

The strategy of distributing media products as they near the time of consumption.

Labor Practices

Roles and tasks, such as creative, distribution, and auxiliary practices, in media.

Indecent Content Standards

Regulations governing the broadcasting of inappropriate content.

News Cast Standards

Unwritten rules about the structure and timing of news segments.

Vertical vs. Horizontal Partnerships

Different methods of collaboration where one dominates production or market.

Content Regulation Characteristics

Guidelines that dictate how and what content can be broadcast.

Market Influence

The impact that major corporations have on the content available to consumers.

Cable Regulatory Standards

Less stringent rules applied to cable compared to broadcast media.

Public Interest Standards

Requirements that ensure media serves the public good.

Free Media Services

Broadcast services funded mainly through advertising revenue.

Subscription Based Services

Media services requiring consumers to pay for content access.

Consumer Protection Laws

Laws safeguarding consumers in advertising and media representation.

Niche Audience Characteristics

Specific traits defining targeted audiences for specialized content.

Digital Media Evolution

The transition from analog to digital platforms in media consumption.

Market Trends

Shifts in preferences and consumption patterns in media.

Advertising Models

Different approaches to incorporating advertising into media.

Regulatory Bodies

Organizations that oversee and implement rules governing media practices.

Censorship Implications

The effects of controlling content availability and expression in media.

Advertising Income Sources

Financial backing of media platforms through direct and indirect advertising.

Traditionally Regulated Media

Media types that face stricter regulations compared to newer platforms.

Mediascape Changes

Shifts in how media is produced, consumed, and distributed over time.

Economic Conditions

Factors influencing how media industries operate and succeed.

Media Ownership Trends

Patterns in how media properties are acquired and consolidated.

Cultural Impact

The influence of media on societal norms and values.

Media Identity Formation

How new media companies build their brands and identities in the industry.