About the lecture

In the first module, we look at what television and television studies are. In particular, we will focus on: (i) a definition of television studies and its history as a field of study; (ii) the history of television and technological change; (iii) the globalisation of television; (iv) the change formats and budgets of television shows and channels; and (v) the growth in prestige television, including a discussion of the impact of HBO.

About the lecturer

Dr Simone Knox is Associate Professor and Head of Department for the Department of Film, Theatre & Television at the University of Reading. She specialises in the analysis of television and film, especially style and medium specificity, acting and performance, adaptation and translation (including dubbing and subtitling), the politics of representation, and the lived experience of screen culture. She has written widely, including her book Friends: A Reading of the Sitcom.