Interviewer: Do you think television is a top-down or bottom-up media?
Ilaria: I feel like I am influencing the media through streaming platforms, because I know how data works so I know that if I am watching or not watching something this has some impact. If I compare it with a few years ago, when I was not using streaming platforms and just watched television, what they used to broadcast in Italy was more “static”, it did not change depending on the demand, or at least I think that right now it changes a lot more [quickly].
Interviewer: So you think television is a bottom-up media, right?
Ilaria: Bottom-up, yes.
Interviewer: Great. Last question: what is the last big event you watched on television, and do you think television portrayed it well?
Ilaria: Uhm… [laughs] If I think about big events my mind goes to the war and Sanremo [Italian Popular Music Festival].
Interviewer: Yes, they are both big events indeed [laughs].
Ilaria: I don’t know, I think they are news-bombing us with the war. Honestly I have not thought about it that much, I am just listening to the facts.
Interviewer: So how do you think the facts were delivered.
Ilaria: Uhm… yeah. With the news, I always consider that they are delivered subjectively. I don’t know how to explain, but newsmakers are human too, and of course the light under which they explain the facts depends on the news channel [they work for].
Interviewer: And do you think that this is detrimental or lowers the news’ quality or have you just accepted it?
Ilaria: I think it is just their perspective. I know that I should compare different news channels to get the big picture.
Interviewer: Do you consider yourself a television viewer?
Sarah: I don’t consider myself a television viewer. If I think about devices, I use my computer more often than not to watch things like Netflix, so this is what I consume most of the time.
Interviewer: Okay. But when it comes to television, how much of it do you usually watch?
Sarah: So the television that we have here at home- I would say maybe once or twice a month. We don’t use our television often. If we use the television is to hook up the computer so we can stream something from internet.
Interviewer: Okay, so is it usually going to be a show, or…?
Sarah: So yeah when we connect to the television is to watch a show. When we were consuming a lot of television, I would say two years ago, we were watching it mostly at night, two or three episodes of CSI which are like 45 minutes long… And then of course you sometimes have it as background noise when you are cooking or cleaning you just listen to the news, but with everything going on, it is a bit depressing to listen to the news…
Interviewer: So, do you don’t do that anymore or you still do that but from other sources?
Name respondent
(pseudonym) Sarah
Date interview March 14th, 2022 Location interview Zoom
Duration interview 48:24 minutes
Age respondent 32
Gender respondent Female
Sexual orientation Straight Class background
Residence Como
Composition of household Married with a dog
National identification American (North Carolina) Political preference Democratic
Work, study English teacher
Way of living/lifestyle / Remarks
Sarah: Uhm, at the moment if we are looking or reading the news it is usually through a smart phone, or it is usually through listening to something on Spotify, like a podcast, or just radio… but as far as TV it has been quite a bit of time since we last turned it on to use television for itself.
Interviewer: You said that you used to watch it more two years ago. Why has there been this shift? What happened?
Sarah: The shift is due to the convenience of Netflix, Amazon Prime, … we have all these subscriptions that allow us to watch whatever we want and we can pause, we can rewind, we can go forward without the disturbance of commercials every 5 minutes that are now even longer than the actual programs. Two or three years ago I also bought a cable that I can use to attach my computer to the television, so in that way I can watch whatever I am watching on a bigger screen. So I am really using the television we have now as a display rather than its actual use, which I guess is broadcasting the public service.
Interviewer: I am assuming that you are not talking about streaming platforms right now, since they are available on television as well. So what kind of things do you watch when you connect your television to the computer, YouTube videos?
Sarah: Yes, YouTube. Besides, we have satellite TV, the normal free channels. We do not have any television subscription like Sky or anything.
Interviewer: Okay. How much do you think you watch streaming platforms, especially compared to linear television?
Sarah: Comparatively to the past, I consume much more media. So, when I used to watch television I maybe watched up to a hour per day, whereas now it is so easy for me to watch my favourite shows that maybe I would watch a few, 2 or 3 hours of television on my computer… and that is because of the ease of watching things. Also, nowadays with
television you may have one hour of something you are interested in and then one hour of something you are not interested in.
Interviewer: So you also think it depends on the offering that is provided?
Sarah: Yes, definitely. I mean, if television had like three hours of CSI, I am sure I would watch that, but if it is something that I have already seen before or a TV show like the Big Brother, which I am really not interested in, then I won’t watch it. As well as on Saturday night, you know, they give the option of watching two or three different films that I have
probably already seen before; then I prefer to look through Netflix and choose something from there.
Interviewer: And at what time of the day do you usually watch these movies or shows?
Sarah: Uhm, it depends on my work day. Maybe I am cooking dinner or lunch and I have like 30 minutes [of free time], so I put my laptop on the side and watch something while I cook. Usually after dinner, around 8:30/8:45pm, I watch something with Luca, my husband for 1 or 1 hour and a half, depending on what it is. Because now the typical episode is 25 minutes [long], so it’s whatever amount of time it takes to watch two of those.
Interviewer: Does it also depends on the fact that you can move the device wherever you want? For example, if you can put your laptop in the kitchen that contributes to make you watch more then how much you would watch on your fixed linear TV.
Sarah: Definitely.
Interviewer: Do you consider Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc as television or not? Why?
Sarah: Oh, that is a good question… I never thought about that.
Interviewer: Because now from your answers it sounds like you don't consider them as television, but it's always better to ask [laughs].
Sarah: Definitely. No, I would say that I certainly consider Amazon Prime, Netflix as forms of television, but I feel like, I don’t know- I don’t know how to describe it… I don’t know, they are more “consumer-friendly”, as far as public television goes? Because you have the freedom of choosing what you want and you are not bombarded with commercials. Every time I turn on the television, I watch commercials for maybe 20 minutes and then I have the program which lasts five minutes…
Interviewer: Okay, so they are a form of television, or “descendants” of television but not exactly television, in your opinion?
Sarah: Yes, I guess you could say that.
Interviewer: Okay, perfect. Very straight-forward question: do you prefer television or movies? And why?
Sarah: I prefer television and tv series, because I love following the stories and… I hate when things… finish [laughs]. And also I kind of get involved and I like to think about the show and see the plot unravel. So when things end abruptly, sometimes it leaves me wanting more. So I like films when they are, for example, trilogies. But with episodes- I don't know, think about Grey's Anatomy which has 16 seasons, 20 episodes in every season, … you have always something new to watch even though it is the same storyline.
Interviewer: Perfect. Do you prefer television or social networks? And why?
Sarah: I don’t know, I feel like I prefer- What do you mean, as far as the content that is provided, or…?
Interviewer: Free interpretation of the question [laughs].
Sarah: Okay, alright. I guess I will have to say television or just media in general, because with social networks you don't really have as much control of what you are looking at and you also kind of get lost in social media. It is all clickbait, so you go to look at something and you see something else, and then you see another thing and then you are just constantly going down the hole. And later you realise you have just lost 15 or 20 minutes not really learning or doing anything. It is not like you learn a lot from television but at least you kind of remember the stories and you can maybe reflect on them, if they are
interesting, I don’t know… maybe it is also something to talk about, it is a nice conversation starter…
Interviewer: Nice. And what do you generally look for when you switch on your television, or any other device you use? A moment of relax, to be educated, to be entertained, to just fill the silence… ?
Sarah: I would say maybe a little bit of each of those aspects… I won’t to say that social media don't contain any type of learning, like, I follow the New York Times, I follow a lot of movements on Instagram, so I definitely learn a lot. But it depends on what I'm in the mood for, if I am in the mood for learning something then I would hop on social media and look for specific sites. But as far as the television it is really just to relax, maybe to forget about all the things that I have going on in my daily life and to have that moment during which I don't have to think about anything, I can just follow something else.
Interviewer: Fore example, what would that “something” usually be? What are your favourite programs or genres?
Sarah: Uhm… So, I was really into Silent Sea, I don’t know if you have seen it, it is on Netflix. It is Korean, because Korean television show are super big right now after Squid Game… It is kind of a sci-fi… drama? [laughs]. But it was really well done! Luca and I are watching The Office at the moment, we love The Office because it is just kinda stupid [laughs].
Interviewer: Yes, I am at the last season of The Office and I only have a few episodes left so I am terrified to finish it [laughs].
Sarah: Nooo [laughs]. The beautiful thing is that when you find a series that you like, then watching it again is also really nice. I have seen all How I Met Your Mother, but I am going to rewatch it all with Luca; of course I remember some things but not everything so it is nice to watch it again and laugh and pick up the jokes that come with it… Uhm, I am trying to think about something else that I liked.
Interviewer: So for now it is entertaining sitcoms, “fun stuff” let’s say?
Sarah: Yes. I actually just watched a film that I don't know if you're ever in the Netherlands but you should watch it. I haven’t been so inspired by a film in such a long time, I have actually not stopped thinking about that film. It is called The Alpinist, have you heard about it? If you have a moment you should watch it, it is so good.
Interviewer: Is it a documentary?
Sarah: Yes, it’s a documentary. It is about a guy- a Canadian guy… it is really, really good.
Interviewer: So in this case it is, let's say, “educational stuff”? Sorry, I know it's very annoying that I am kind of labelling your answers, but you said it varies a lot, right?
Sarah: Yes, yes. Maybe I am in the mood for a film and it is not like I say: “Okay, I am going to look specifically for a comedy”. Usually I look through drama, documentaries, comedies, hum… I hate horrors so I won’t watch a horror- only at Halloween [laughs].
Interviewer: Cool. About everything that it is not a show or a movie, for example you have already told me about the news, but I don’t know… do you watch talk shows, …?
Sarah: Ah, like Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey, that type of stuff? No I don’t watch any talk show.
Interviewer: So basically you only watch entertainment on television?
Sarah: Yes, only that. In the past, I would watch sporting events, like the Olympics, that sort of things… or when there is a big soccer match going on I watch it every now and then. But these type of things- I would watch them in a public space, so not at home. I would go to the bar, drink at the bar and watch the television they have there if that is displaying the event.
Interviewer: And do you watch different kinds of programs when you are with your friends and family compared to when you are by yourself?
Sarah: Definitely. As I was saying, I watch more sporting events. Uhm, friends and family…
other than with my husband, I am not gonna watch television with anyone, I am not gonna watch films either. Maybe when I was younger I would, but not now, just because I think that everyone is super busy and the time you have to get together and actually discuss what is going on in your life- you have to be there and talk together, not sitting in silence and watching something.
Interviewer: But instead of watching, do you maybe talk with them about TV programs, what you have recently watched? Is it a usual conversation topic for you?
Sarah: Definitely, I’d say that at least television programs, so what's new, is a big
icebreaker, something that you talk about for, you know, 15 minutes… but not something that you spend the whole night talking about. But it is definitely something to talk about. I have a lot of people that talk to me about new Netflix shows and this sort of things.
Interviewer: Okay, this might sound like a question for young people, but do you have a feel “peer pressured” to watch a certain program or genre?
Sarah: Oh, this is a great question. You know, I teach to a lot of middle school students, so my students are 11, 12 or 13 and for awhile when Squid Game came out- Squid Game was really talked about in my school, among students and even teachers, because the teachers would talk about it to appeal to the students. And I was like: “What is this?”
[laughs]. So, they actually sort of introduced me to it, and then of course they started talking about it, which encouraged me to watch it. So, I would say that it's not peer
pressure but more like curiosity, like… What is everyone talking about, and why? So, this was a huge thing. But as far as peer pressure, no.
Interviewer: In this sense, do you think television is mainly a collective or individual experience?
Sarah: With Luca it is definitely collective, just because we are not going to start or stop something without the other. Also, we would comment about it together, we would talk as well while we watch it. I think that it is collective because when I want to watch something I automatically think of watching it with Luca, I do not imagine doing it by myself. I imagine sitting on the sofa with Luca and our dog… that type of thing.
Interviewer: Cute. Changing the tone, do you think television is progressive or conservative?
Sarah: Uhm, it depends whether you're talking about the television I have hooked up on my wall, the free television- I would say that’s conservative because there are so many re-runs, films that I ever seen for years… Compared to places like Netflix that I feel are very progressive: you would see a lot of shows now showing homosexuality, trying to be diverse. That is something that I have really noticed and that I never saw on television before. And I feel like television is still a bit… censored, maybe?
Interviewer: Okay. And do you think tv programs can have a concrete impact on the real world, or on yourself?
Sarah: No, I cannot think of anything. I think that the only time television really changed my life was when I was younger and I saw the twin towers falling… That type of thing. But that was when television was the only source of information, that is when they started changing how things were televised, as well. But as far as today, I cannot think of anything. I would say the only time I felt- it is again the film I watched the other day. I went to the cinema, because it is not on Netflix in Europe yet - in the US is on Netflix but not here - so I went to see the film I told you about, The Alpinist, and I am still thinking… I can’t get it out of my mind.
Interviewer: What stuck with you?
Sarah: So, it was a documentary about a Canadian climber. He is- he was, unfortunately he passed away in 2018 - he probably the most extreme climber in the world, or at least the most extreme I have ever heard of. And it was just this sense of simplicity, he was so motivated, so fearless and so humble as well, which is very nice. He didn't have a lot of, uhm… awareness of what he accomplished, he was very anti-social media, kind of off the radar, but he was just a really incredible person. And I was so so inspired by the way he lived his life, even if only for a short period of time.
Interviewer: Okay, so would you say that television, or Netflix, Amazon Prime etc. teach you new things?
Sarah: Definitely. I am watching something educational, for sure.
Interviewer: If you could take part in a tv program, any kind of program, which one or what kind of program would it be?
Sarah: Oh, that is a good question [laughs]. I think I would like to be part of a documentary of some sort, something real. Something, I don’t know, cool? [laughs]. Something where I could experience whatever it is about myself, instead of going to a sort of “false” set and staying in one place. I don’t know, I’d like to do some “one-line acting” while actually helping on set.
Interviewer: So would you like to participate as the object of the documentary or to be part of the production?
Sarah: The production. There is nothing particularly interesting going on in my life, but if someone is doing something extreme in the mountains, like an athlete… I would like to be part of that documentary, to know this athlete, to talk about what they are doing, or even to help creating an are where they do that activity… that would be cool.
Interviewer: Cool. Are there periods during which you watch more television? Why?
Sarah: Definitely. I would say that I watch more television in winter because it is cold outside. In summer I feel like I am always busy, I am always outside, I am always doing something. While in winter the days are shorter, it's darker, there is not really much you can do outside so you just watch television or read a book. And I would say that I watched more to the vision in my adulthood. In my childhood, and also in my 20s, I was always outside, or doing something- in my 20s I was always working, so I didn’t have much time for television. Now I still have a lot of things to do, but I guess that the things that are
“boring” like cleaning the house, cooking… I take that time to watch something that is entertaining.
Interviewer: When you do that, does the show stay in the background or do you actively watch it?
Sarah: It depends: if I am cleaning it is in the background, if I am cooking I watch it, if I am eating by myself I watch it.