Convergent Use of Television and Internet: Insights From an Exploratory Diary Study

• In Event: Thinking About Technology

Abstract

In the last 15 years, the convergence of television and internet dramatically changed the ways in which we watch audiovisual content. Websites like YouTube or Netflix provide such content on demand now and smart devices made it possible to watch it whenever and wherever we want. The users adopted some of these new possibilities, left others disregarded, and shaped the convergence of TV and internet in their own ways. This paper investigates these ways of convergent TV and internet use following an exploratory approach: On the basis of an one week media diary study and in-depth telephone interviews, we search for so far disregarded aspects that may help us to understand these new forms of convergent media usage in future research. Our findings provide evidence for an interplay of (convergent) media repertoires, sequential media choice between linear television and on demand services, and the usualness of second screen use.

Authors

• Christian Strippel, Freie Universitaet Berlin

• Martin J. Emmer, Freie U Berlin/Weizenbaum Institute