Introduction to Digital Media (Online): Understanding Platforms and Content

Program Structure


Introduction to Digital Media (Online): Understanding Platforms and Content is comprised of six modules. Each module includes:

• 10- to 15-minute video lectures with supportive presentation materials
• Industry case study
• 2-3 additional readings
• Polling and discussion questions
• The program covers:

-3 Platforms: Broadcasting, Search, and Social media-3 Content Domains: Entertainment, Information, and News

Module 1 – The Birth of a New Medium: Broadcasting


This module first introduces the characteristics of the media industry and then discusses the birth and early history of Radio in the USA and how it evolved into Television after WWII. Important parallels are drawn for today when another new medium (the Internet) is about to disrupt broadcasting and other media industries. This module also focuses on traditional TV’s new challenger: online video.


Module 2 – Exploring the Global Search Industry


This module will discuss the search industry. Of course, we will talk about Google – one of the largest media companies by market cap – and analyze how it came to dominate the global search business. An important goal of the module is to explore some of Google’s core technologies and how they form the basis for competitive advantage.

Module 3 – The Implications of Social Media


This module discusses the emerging social media industry. We will analyze the largest social network today: Facebook. Special emphasis will be put on consumer behavior on social media and its implications for revenue models and competitive advantage.

Module 4 – The New Revolution: Entertainment Content


This module will analyze industries in specific entertainment sectors (books, music and film). These industries’ history and industry dynamics are strongly linked to the evolution of some recording technology. Books, movies, music are all industries where some content has been recorded and, as a result, allows the distribution of the content to millions of people. Generally speaking, these are “hit-driven” industries where a few content pieces dominate in terms of the share of industry revenues. How to run a business dominated by “hits” is the focal question of the module.


Module 5 – The Other Side of Content: Decision Making


This module will discuss information markets, where content is used for decision making rather than entertainment. Database vendors, information providers (e.g. Bloomberg for financial information, that we analyze in more detail), consultants are all part of the information industry. The module focuses on how information is consumed and the strange competitive forces that may emerge in information markets.


Module 6 – The News Outlier


In this module, we will analyze a case on The Economist to understand what lies behind its success at a time when newspapers are generally declining. We will also explore in detail how readers/viewers consume news and what might be the reasons behind the phenomenon of media bias.