Technology has changed the way we consume media

Do you remember when you used to hear songs for the first time on the radio? Or if you missed the premiere of a new episode for your favorite show, you had to check the TV guide to see when the next airing would occur so you could catch up. Back then, consumers had to do a lot more work to consume the media that interested them. Today, it simply could not be easier to digest whatever type of media you want, in just about any way you could imagine as video and music streaming have soared in popularity in recent years, so much so that broadband networks might not even be ready for this type of traffic (Alexander, 2020). 

Digital technology, such as smartphones, iPads and laptop computers, give consumers instant access to all types of media — either via paid subscriptions or for free! All music and movie streaming services provide seemingly limitless databases of content, giving users the ability to stream for hours on end. While all of this sounds great for consumers, it's caused an interesting conundrum that leaves content creators in a vulnerable position.

Levine (2011) wrote that the way the media industry is now “benefits consumers who can see, read and hear what they want for less money, but free riding is considered an economic problem for a reason” (para. 10). It's the responsibility of media companies to find a healthy balance that can both keep their product affordable to all consumers, while also ensuring that artists are compensated fairly for original work. It's the only way to ensure that the media industry can continue to thrive in the years to come in a way that allows them to leverage technological advancements, instead of being defeated by technology.

References

Alexander, J. (2020, March 27). The entire world is streaming more than ever and it's straining the internet. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/27/21195358/streaming-netflix-disney-hbo-now-youtube-twitch-amazon-prime-video-coronavirus-broadband-network.

Levine, R. (2011, August 13). How the internet has all but destroyed the market for films, music and newspapers. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/aug/14/robert-levine-digital-free-ride.