As the country and a lot of the world comes to terms with the reality of staying inside for the foreseeable future, media and how we consume it is changing. From live concerts in our homes to streaming on YouTube, surely we will look back on this time and study how our media developed to suit these new consumer needs.
The BBC recently streamed the One World: Together at Home concert, hosting various musicians and celebrities as we at home watched this live content. TV adverts are now be tailored towards staying at home, featuring footage shot in our own homes by us. YouTube is seeing an increase in live streams as communities come together online. All of this is demonstrating how we as a country are adjusting to these changing times and making the best of it.
Social media has now become truly that, social. We are able to share new content with our friends and family through social media, we are able to watch films together without physically being together. We are seeing celebrities video calling keyworkers to surprise them, casts from films in the past are coming back together and musical casts are doing performances over Zoom.
It’s something quite special to see how in a time where we can’t physically be together, the word community has taken on a whole new meaning. TV schedules are having to start adapting to a lack of new content, this is why we are seeing things such as comedian Joel Dommett filming his own show inside his home with the help of his wife. As well as the Graham Norton show taking on a new format, with guests calling in via video call. Things like this are contributing to the sense of community, reminding us that everyone is in this together, celebrities included.
Social media has become such a force for good. Causes are being championed by keyboard warriors, influencers and celebrities on platforms we all have access to. It has never been easier to get involved yourself, be it sharing a photo online supporting the NHS or talking about your own personal experiences. Social media is also being used as a platform to host live video content through platforms like Instagram. Of course, this is something we could all do post lockdown, but the increase in creators getting together and offering this new live content is making us feel less alone.
I’ve recently been involved in several live streams on YouTube and was thrilled to be able to be involved in the community in such a way. The content was immediate, honest and fun. I think there has been a huge increase in content like this as we learn to adapt to the new normal. Socialising is now a video call to a friend, a shopping spree is now most definitely an online one, new films are being released directly onto Sky. The world is changing how we share our media, how we get our entertainment and how we stay connected.
In years to come, I’m sure people will look back and study this time. So much has changed and yet this could be the first step forward into a future that truly sees us all online. Brands are adapting, we as consumers are changing how we want to see our media, social platforms are expanding daily. In this horrible time, I think the positives of adapting tech and online tools has certainly been a strong attempt at keeping us sane.
As someone who works in digital marketing, it’s been really interesting to watch the shift in online media. I personally have been loving live stream concerts and “festivals” and am enjoying catching up on both Youtube and Netflix rather than watching traditional TV. It’s definitely going to have an impact on how we consume media after Covid as well as we get attached to the new ways of interacting online
Abi | https://whatabigailsays.co.uk/