How has mass media technology changed the way audiences are entertained?

Mass media hasn't just dramatically changed the way we as a society are entertained, it has changed the way we live. When technology is your medium for fun and entertainment, it changes the way we have fun. Things started very basic-take the recording industry. it started on wax records with micorphones existing of a box with a horn on top. Then came 8 tracks, tapes and cds. If you had a good sized music collection, you would need a decent area of the house to hold it. Now, its in the palm of your hand. People today have the ability to condense tens of thousands of songs into the palm of your hand. And not just that, with an ipod you can upload your dvd collection, eliminate the need for TV and even watch on the go. Something that was impossible ten years ago.

TV has dramatically changed as well. Now it is expected that you can pause live TV with your tivo, get up, us e the bathroom make your popcorn and return to your movie without loosing you place. The introduction of live television some years ago also changed the way audiences are entertained. Its the gaurantee that everything is raw and real as you see it, no special affects, no re takes, just the truth in news or real time coverage of entertainment.

With the combination of the internet and television, viewing shows has become interactive. For example, when watching many competition shows, viewers can either go online, or text in to vote. This gives the audience a voice, and combined with live program can create for highly entertaining programming. Facebook and other social networks have combined with popularity of media today, helping to spread both shows and what they stand for. By doing this, the programs create larger fan bases, and are more likely to view some viewer feedback- an all to important part of consumer culture.