The revival of live TV: liveness in a multiplatform context

Abstract

The proliferation of two screen or connected viewing on multiple devices (smartphones/iPhones, laptops, tablets/iPads) simultaneously is reshaping the ways that TV broadcasters produce, schedule and deliver programmes and content. This article examines how the notions of liveness and live TV are being reshaped within this context. Focusing on the BBC and Channel 4, the article explores how and why these two British Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) are reinventing and promoting liveness and in particular live media events across platforms and devices. With the BBC’s ‘BBC Live’ content delivery system as case-study, the article argues that rather than seeing liveness as a thing of the past, BBC regards live TV as core to its multiplatform strategy. Today, the BBC uses two of television’s traditional traits – liveness and reach – to crowd out and gain a competitive edge on streamed content and VOD providers like YouTube, Netflix and Amazon Prime across platforms and devices.