The Impact of a Multi-channel Environment on Television News Consumption: A Longitudinal Study of Audience Fragmentation and Polarization in Korea

• In Event: Political Communication: A Global Perspective

Abstract

Audience behavior research has examined the overall tendencies of audience fragmentation and polarization in a multi-channel environment, but has not investigated changes in news consumption behavior that has broad political implications. To enhance our understanding of news consumption behavior in the new media environment, this study examines changes in news consumption patterns during the penetration of cable television in Korea. The results suggest that increasing program choices have fragmented and polarized news consumption patterns.

Author

• Su Jung Kim, Northwestern University