This module critically explores the industrial and institutional context of making television content today. For those with an interest in
television and aspirations to work in this industry, understanding some of the critical issues facing those who make television will be
invaluable as you transition into that workplace.
The module offers a historical understanding of the development of the television industry in the UK before exploring some of the
challenges facing producers and broadcasters with the rise of digital distribution. The module also considers the impact of this change on
the labour market for television and how issues such as diversity are being debated within the sector. We conclude by considering the
place of the Welsh television sector (with successes such as Dr Who, Hinterland and Da Vinci’s Demons) in the current global television
economy.

On successful completion of the module a student will be able to:
1. Explain and apply a number of different theoretical approaches to the understanding of television production.
2. Understand the changing historical and institutional forms of television in the UK and evaluate how these will impact on the production
of contemporary television and its labour market.
3. Undertake research across a variety of academic and industry sources around TV practices, markets and institutions
4. Critically evaluate the major issues impacting contemporary television production at a global, national and local level.

This module will be delivered through a combination of 2-hour lecture and a 50 minute seminar. Guest lectures and external visits will be
arranged where relevant to the content of the module.

Skills that will be practised and developed
Knowledge & Understanding – Students will recognise the complex factors at play within the television industry and how broadcasters,
independent producers, regulators and governments are responding to these factors.
Intellectual Skills – Students will develop a historical appreciation of change within television production complemented by an
understanding of contemporary issues.
Discipline-Specific Skills – The module merges both academic and industry perspectives on television production and so students will
develop a deeper understanding of the issues from both vantage points.
Transferable Skills - The module will encourage the students to research and present their findings, develop critical perspectives about
issues facing the television industry and formulate new knowledge about the media. Knowledge of the production context of television
will complement other modules on your course which concentrate on the attributes of the text or changes in audience behaviour.

Written Assessment 50% 2000 word essay.

Group Presentation 50% 15 minute presentation followed by 10 minute Q&A.
 

1. Introduction to module, assessments and resources
2. Television Production in the UK: how did we get here?
3. Evolving Models for PSB: Comparing UK, US and Europe
4. Independent Production: From Cultural Entrepreneurs to the rise of the Super-Indies
5. Trends in the Production of Television: International Drama and the case of Game of Thrones
6. Transformations in the Distribution of TV Content
7. Assessment workshop
8. Branding in and of Television
9. Audience Measurements in the era of big data
10. Critical Issues in TV Labour
11. Television Production in Wales
12. Module Review and assessment preparation
This is subject to minor revision in consultation with student cohort.
 

Bennett, J, & Strange, Niki (2011) Television as digital media. Durham, NC: Duke University Press
 Bennett, J, & Strange, Niki (eds.) (2015)Media independence: working with freedom or working for free? New York: Routledge
 Caldwell, JT (2008) Production culture : industrial reflexivity and critical practice in film and television. Durham, N.C.: Duke
University Press
 Crisell, A. (2002) An introductory history of British broadcasting. 2nd edition. London : Routledge
 Davies, R. and Sigthorsson, G. (2013) Introducing the creative industries: from theory to practice. London: Sage Publications
 Ellis, J., (2000). Seeing Things: Television in the Age of Uncertainty. London: I.B. Tauris.
 Geraghty, C. & David Lusted (1998) The Television Studies Book. London: Arnold
 Grainge, P. (2011) Ephemeral media : transitory screen culture from television to YouTube. London: BFI Publishing
 Hesmondhalgh, D. (2002) The cultural industries : an introduction. London: Sage Publications
 Hesmondhalgh, D. (2006) Media production. Maidenhead; New York: Open University Press
 Hilmes, M. and Jacobs, J. (2002) The Television History Book. London: BFI Publishing.
 Holt, J. and Perren, A. (2009) Media industries : history, theory, and method. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell
 Johnson, C. (2012) Branding Television. London: Routledge
 Lotz, A. (2007) The Television Will Be Revolutionised. New York : New York University Press
 Mayer, V; Banks, M. and Caldwell, JT (2009) Production studies : cultural studies of media industries. London: Routledge
 Miller, T. (2002). Television Studies. London: BFI Publishing
 Turner, G, and Tay, J. (eds.) (2009) Television Studies After TV: Understanding Television in the Post-Broadcast Era. London:
Routledge

Television Journals:
Critical Studies in Television
European Journal of Cultural Studies
Television & New Media
Screen
Convergence
International Journal of Cultural Studies
Journal of British Cinema and Television
Flow TV
Industry Trade press:
Broadcast - www.broadcastnow.co.uk
Televisual - www.televisual.com
Other Resources:
 BBC Public documents
 Department of Culture Media and Sport legislation and policy documentation
 Ofcom consultations/findings
 BARB data