Technological Convergence

Technological Convergence is the term that best describes how technology has managed to "merge" itself together to fufill similar needs.

For example websites for television programmes such as that of Being Human a programme that is broadcast on BBC Three, also includes the chance for the programme to be watched on their website via the BBC iplayer, it also encorporates new spin off stories that can only be viewed online, meaning that this can be advertised on the television programme or just after it so people can view it online, showing that these two media platforms have converged, in context it means that the gaps between different media platforms are closing.

Perception of the audience has changed, the majority of the public will now see that The internet is now a television and a music souce, whilst in the past the internet would have just been purely for reading, the television would have been purely independant and music was only available on the radio or in shops.

A term that is becoming quite well used is Web 2.0, this term is used to describe how the internet has transformed from a source of information to a mass media service, which includes being able to watch television, purchase and listen to music and share files.

Technological Convergence means that the audience now gets a free choice and an easier access to different media platforms,
Television and Music are converging to make a wider profit and fan base, for example shows like The X Factor, Glee and Brittania High are doing this, by showing music on the television show and then releasing it on the internet via Itunes or in shops.
Music and The Internet have also converged, examples of this are software and websites such as Spotify, We7 and Groove Shark that allow the audience to stream music for free, transforming the internet into a mass media server.

To conclude, Technological Convergence does...

• Closes the gap between the audience and the producer
• Allows artists to promote their work easily
• Free distribution, means that music suppliers do not have to worry about packaging and post
• Allows instant access of the audience to apply their needs to many different media platforms

However Technological Convergence also allows people to steal music by illegal downloading it, it also allows the music and files to be shared via illegal file sharing services.