Global Television - Co-Producing Culture. Emerging Media: History, Theory, Narrative. (Electronic book text)

The face of U.S. television broadcasting is changing in ways that are both profound and subtle. Global Television uncovers the particular processes by which the international circulation of culture takes place, while addressing larger cultural issues such as identity formation. Focusing on how the process of internationally made programming such as Highlander: The Series and The Odysseyamusingly dubbed Europudding and commercial white breadare changing television into a transnational commodity, Barbara Selznick considers how this mode of productionas a means by which transnational television is createdhas both economic rewards and cultural benefits as well as drawbacks. Global Television explores the ways these international co-productions create a global culture as well as help form a national identity. From British brand programming (e.g, Cracker) that airs on A&E in the U.S. to childrens television programs such as Plaza Sesamo, and documentaries, Selznick indicates that while the style, narrative, themes, and ideologies may be interesting, corporate capitalism ultimately affects and impacts these programs in significant ways.