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The new media have changed the meaning of television. At present, television shows are more frequently watched via the internet. However, the question is whether this form is still television. How do we understand the meaning of television content on the internet? What is the significance of the interface? The main aim of this article is to answer the above mentioned questions on the basis of the analysis of a survey and interviews conducted with Polish users of TV websites. The presented methodology includes the theoretical perspective connected with new media studies and cyber culture studies as well.
Keywords: New media, Television, Social TV, Facebook, TV content.
Introduction
The new media have considerably broadened the meaning of television in the contemporary world. It is no longer a single medium, nor is it a traditional set placed in the center of the living room. As rightly noted by John Hartley, "[television has physically migrated out of the domestic living room and is now integrated into bedrooms, offices, shops, cars, clubs and cafés. It is personalized and portable, integrated with clothes, phones and music platforms" (Hartley 2012: 118). The concept of television on the one hand has become more complex, on the other hand - blurred and indeterminate because it comprises satellite, cable and internet television as well as VOD platforms or content published by television stations in the social media. In the face of such changes, the issues pertaining to the perception of television by its viewers themselves become important, especially as regards the questions:
- Do viewers watch television via the internet in the time of the new media?
- How do they understand the term "watching TV" and how do they define television in the space of the new media?
- How do they characterize themselves: as TV viewers or users?
The main aim of this article is to provide answers to the abovementioned research questions on the basis of the results of a survey as well as interviews conducted with users of VOD platforms and Facebook. One should note that the first VOD service appeared in Poland as late as in 2008. Therefore, this area is constantly subject to technological changes and improvements, especially in terms of construction of social networks and...