Terra Nova, An Experiment in Creating Cult Televison for a Mass Audience

When it aired in Fall 2011 on Fox, Terra Nova was an experiment in creating a cult television program that appealed to a mass audience. This thesis is a case study of that experiment. I conclude that the show failed because of its attempts to maintain the sophistication, complexity and innovative nature of the cult genre while simultaneously employing an overly simplistic narrative structure that resembles that of mass audience programming. Terra Nova was unique in its transmedia approach to marketing and storytelling, its advanced special effects, and its dystopian speculative fiction premise. Terra Nova\u27s narrative, on the other hand, presented a nostalgically simple moralistic landscape that upheld old-fashioned ideologies and felt oddly retro to the modern SF TV audience. Terra Nova\u27s failure suggests that a cult show made for this type of broad audience is impossible. However, as ratings continue to drop yearly, programmers\u27 definition of what constitutes a mass audience adjusts accordingly. Inevitably, and in the near future, any distinction between mass and fragmented audiences will be moot and, when this happens, the cult audience will be synonymous with the mass audience

Netflix and the Development of the Internet Television Network

When Netflix launched in April 1998, Internet video was in its infancy. Eighteen years later, Netflix has developed into the first truly global Internet TV network. Many books have been written about the five broadcast networks – NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, and the CW – and many about the major cable networks – HBO, CNN, MTV, Nickelodeon, just to name a few – and this is the fitting time to undertake a detailed analysis of how Netflix, as the preeminent Internet TV networks, has come to be. This book, then, combines historical, industrial, and textual analysis to investigate, contextualize, and historicize Netflix\u27s development as an Internet TV network. The book is split into four chapters. The first explores the ways in which Netflix\u27s development during its early years a DVD-by-mail company – 1998-2007, a period I am calling Netflix as Rental Company – lay the foundations for the company\u27s future iterations and successes. During this period, Netflix adapted DVD distribution to the Internet, revolutionizing the way viewers receive, watch, and choose content, and built a brand reputation on consumer-centric innovation. This reputation served it well during its second phase, Netflix as Syndicator (2007-12), when the company turned from DVD rentals to online distribution. In chapter two, I explain who Netflix adapted syndication – a business model that has been a staple of US broadcasting for half a century – to Internet distribution. By doing so, Netflix up-ended both the TV industry\u27s traditional content release structures and viewers\u27 habits. By shifting TV distribution to the Internet, Netflix drastically increased the control viewers have over where, when, and on what devices viewers watch TV. In its third phase, Netflix entered the original programming business by subtly adapting traditional program genres, content, and release schedules to Internet video. I split this phase – Netflix as Internet Network (2012-present) – into two chapters. While many of Netflix\u27s concerns parallel those of traditional networks – in terms of production and financing, for example – Internet networks also have a number of unique concerns in areas such as Net Neutrality and distribution windows. Netflix has led the charge on these issues, and chapter three explores Netflix\u27s role as the first Internet network, including the development of its binge-viewing strategy and its push into international distribution. Finally, chapter four takes a deep dive in Netflix\u27s foray into original program production. In its third phase, Netflix has adapted traditional TV structures to Internet distribution. Despite the innovations in short-form and user-generated content that sites like YouTube, Crackle, and Twitch have named, Netflix\u27s traditional approach to programming has set the template for successful Internet networks that has been adopted by the likes of Hulu, Amazon, and Yahoo Screen. Chapter four analyses Netflix\u27s biggest programs - including House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Daredevil and others - to explain how Netflix has adapted traditional TV genres and structures to the freedoms in production, marketing, and content possibilities that the Internet affords. In the same was that NBC set the example for broadcast networks in the 1950s and HBO developed the framework for cable TV in the 1990s, Netflix has set the template for Internet TV in the 2000s. Netflix\u27s mix of technological advancements, consumer-centric practices, personalized content, and global mindset have become the gold standard for the how-and-why of developing a successful Internet TV network. Although other aspiring Internet networks Hulu and Amazon started out with a different ethos than Netflix, Netflix\u27s financial, creative, and cultural success has forced a series of reactionary decisions from both Hulu and Amazon that have brought them closer and closer to the foundations Netflix began laying out in 1998. So while the Netflix model isn\u27t the only possible model for an Internet network, it has become the blueprint for the newly-developing Internet TV ecosystem

Abortion-related stigma and unsafe abortions: perspectives of women seeking abortion care in Machakos and Trans-Nzoia Counties, Kenya

Background: The rate of unsafe abortions in Kenya increased from 32 per 1000 women of reproductive age in 2002 to 48 per 1000 women in 2012-- one of the highest in Sub- Saharan Africa. Abortion-related stigma has been linked to high levels of unsafe abortions.Objective: To explore the perspectives of women seeking abortion services in public and private health facilities in regions with high as well as low incidence of unsafe abortions in Kenya on abortion-related stigma.Design: A comparative qualitative study.Setting: Selected public and private health facilities offering post abortion care services in Machakos and Trans Nzoia CountiesSubjects: Women seeking abortion related services in private and public health facilities in Machakos and Trans Nzoia Counties.Results: Abortion-related stigma manifested in various forms including verbal abuse such as ridicule and name calling, isolation, physical abuse and denial of services. The stigma was in form of self-stigma, from the community and from health providers. Due to stigma, women preferred to seek information on abortion only from trusted friends and close relatives, regardless of their reliability so as to keep abortion confidential. Private facilities were reported as the main facilities where women could get an abortion confidentially, but costly compared to public facilities. As a result, women who could not afford private facilities chose to self-induce and present in a health facility to seek post abortion (PAC) care as the only way to access services, regardless of the dangers. Young single women seeking abortion services reported higher levels of stigma from health providers compared to older married women. Perception that abortion was illegal in Kenya perpetuated stigma and prevented women from seeking safe abortion services due to fear of being arrested.Conclusion: Stigma associated with abortion is a major barrier to women seeking and receiving safe, comprehensive abortion care. Therefore, understanding abortion-related stigma is a critical step to designing measures to address barriers to women accessing safe reproductive health services

Understanding abortion-related stigma and incidence of unsafe abortion: experiences from community members in Machakos and Trans Nzoia counties Kenya

Introduction: The rate of unsafe abortions in Kenya has increased from 32 per 1000 women of reproductive age in 2002 to 48 per 1000 women in 2012. This is one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2010, Kenya changed its Constitution to include a more enabling provision regarding the provision of abortion services. Abortion-related stigma has been identified as a key driver in silencing women's ability to reproductive choice leading to seeking to unsafe abortion. We sought to explore abortion-related stigma at the community level as a barrier to women realizing their rights to a safe, legal abortion and compare manifestations of abortion stigma at two communities from regions with high and low incidence of unsafe abortion. Methods: A qualitative study using 26 focus group discussions with general community members in Machakos and Trans Nzoia Counties. We used thematic and content analysis to analyze and compare community member's responses regarding abortion-related stigma. Results: Although abortion is recognized as being very common within communities, community members expressed various ways that stigmatize women seeking an abortion. This included being labeled as killers and are perceived to be a bad influence for women especially young women. Women reported that they were poorly treated by health providers in health facilities for seeking abortion especially young unmarried women. Institutionalization of stigma especially when Ministry of Health withdrew of standards and guidelines only heightened how stigma presents at the facilities and drives women seeking an abortion to traditional birth attendants who offer unsafe abortions leading to increased morbidity and mortality as a result of abortion-related complications. Conclusion: Community members located in counties in regions with high incidence of unsafe abortion also reported higher levels of how they would stigmatize a woman seeking an abortion compared to community members from counties in low incidence region. Young unmarried women bore the brunt of being stigmatized. They reported a lack of a supportive environment that provides guidance on correct information on how to prevent unwanted pregnancy and where to get help. Abortion-related stigma plays a major role in women's decision on whether to have a safe or unsafe abortion.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Abortion related stigma: a case study of abortion stigma in regions with high and low incidences of unsafe abortion

Background: Abortion accounts for 35% of maternal mortality in Kenya. Kenya has reported an increase in the rate of unsafe abortions from 32 to 48 per 1000 women of reproductive age in 2002 and 2012 respectively. During the same period, women presented in public health facilities with severe complications indicating that women were having unsafe abortions.Objective: To investigate the association between incidences of unsafe abortion and stigma attitudes and beliefs about abortion among community member’s in two counties located in regions with either high or low incidences of unsafe abortion.Design: A cross-sectional comparative study.Settings: General community members in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties.Subjects: Men and women of reproductive age in Trans Nzoia and Machakos Counties.Results: Respondents in Trans Nzoia County reported the highest full-scale abortion stigma levels (μ=55.4) compared to those from Machakos County (μ=53.07). The mean differences in SABAS scores for all the four subscales were significant for fear of contagion, exclusion and discrimination and Negative stereotyping (p-value <0.000). Incidence region, educational attainment and marital status were all significantly associated with stigmatising attitudes. Respondents in the 35-49 age group showed more stigmatising attitudes than younger respondents, and married individuals showed more stigmatising attitudes than single respondents, and lower education levels were associated with higher levels of stigma.Conclusions: Mean stigma scores for counties with high incidence of unsafe abortions were higher than those from regions with a low incidences of unsafe abortion. Male community members, those with lower levels of education were more likely to report higher levels of stigma at the community level. The majority of women seeking abortion were viewed negatively by general community members, and this could explain women’s decision to seek an unsafe abortion

Improving the standards-based management: recognition initiative to provide high-quality, equitable maternal health services in Malawi. An implementation research protocol: Table 1

Background: The Government of Malawi is seeking evidence to improve implementation of its flagship quality of care improvement initiative — the Standards Based Management-Recognition for Reproductive Health (SBM-R(RH)). Objective: This implementation study will assess the quality of maternal healthcare in facilities where the SBM-R(RH) initiative has been employed, identify factors that support or undermine effectiveness of the initiative and develop strategies to further enhance its operation. Methods: Data will be collected in 4 interlinked modules using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Module 1 will develop the programme theory underlying the SBM-R(RH) initiative, using document review and in-depth interviews with policymakers and programme managers. Module 2 will quantitatively assess the quality and equity of maternal healthcare provided in facilities where the SBM-R(RH) initiative has been implemented, using the Malawi Integrated Performance Standards for Reproductive Health. Module 3 will conduct an organisational ethnography to explore the structures and processes through which SBM-R(RH) is currently operationalised. Barriers and facilitators will be identified. Module 4 will involve coordinated co-production of knowledge by researchers, policymakers and the public, to identify and test strategies to improve implementation of the initiative. Potential impact: The research outcomes will provide empirical evidence of strategies that will enhance the facilitators and address the barriers to effective implementation of the initiative. It will also contribute to the theoretical advances in the emerging science of implementation research

Improving the standards-based management : recognition initiative to provide high-quality, equitable maternal health services in Malawi : an implementation research protocol

The Ministry of Health wants to better understand how interventions aimed at enhancing quality of care can be successfully implemented in Malawi, specifically the Standards Based Management-Recognition for Reproductive Health (SBM-R(RH) initiative. This detailed article describes the study proposal which adopts a co-production/partnership model. Data will be collected in four interlinked modules over a 54-month period. The research will map out in detail the facilitators and barriers to the effective implementation of the SBM-R(RH) initiative.Global Affairs CanadaCanadian Institutes of Health Researc