Television Program Adaptation in Public Service Broadcasting | Dr. Heidi Keinonen

Abstract

Television format, a repeatable programme concept licensed for adaptation, epitomizes the globalisation and commercialisation of television industries. While formats with a track-record represent a way to increase cost-efficiency and reduce the financial risk of launching a new programme, they inevitably conflict with public service values. In terms of production practices, they also provide both challenges and opportunities. My plenary speech will address the multisited process of format adaptation by analysing television format as cultural negotiation. With a focus on public service broadcasting, I will discuss the format policy of the Finnish YLE as well as present examples from their format adaptations. 

About the author

DSocSci Heidi Keinonen is Senior Research Fellow at the University of Turku, Finland. She is currently working at the YLE 100 research programme studying the history of serial drama and entertainment on radio and on television, film and the new forms of narration at YLE. She has published on television programme formats, film and broadcasting history, television drama, multiplatform productions as well as audience engagement and interaction in edited collections and journals such as Media History, Media, Culture & Society and Critical Studies in Television. She is also the author of the first Finnish monograph on television programme formats.