NCCU College of Communication EMI Lecture Explores Redefining Television in the Era of Global Streaming

The College of Communication at National Chengchi University (NCCU) hosted a special guest lecture titled “Understanding Television in the Era of Streaming and Globalisation” on May 4. The speech featured Dr. Yu-Kei Tse, Associate Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, who specializes in media consumption, transnational cultural flows, and the digital transformation of broadcasting.

In the lecture, Dr. Tse examined how the fundamental meaning of "television" and the act of "watching TV" are being redefined in an age of global platforms and multiple screens. She argued that rather than viewing television as a fixed object or a specific hardware device, it should be understood as a fluid cultural construct that changes based on technology, content organization, and user interaction.

Drawing on the theoretical frameworks, Dr. Tse deconstructed television into two core components: technology and cultural form. She explained that while the traditional broadcast era was defined by linear schedules and infrastructure like cable or satellite, the streaming era has shifted toward a "service" model. In this new landscape, television is experienced through interfaces, algorithms, and categories that organize editorially selected content for the viewer.

A significant portion of the speech was dedicated to the importance of local context in the face of global streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+. Dr. Tse emphasized that viewing habits remain highly culturally specific. For example, while Taiwanese audiences frequently consume foreign content from Korea, Japan, and China, the Japanese market maintains a strong preference for local productions. She specifically noted that even on streaming platforms, the most popular content in Japan is often "television anime" produced and funded by traditional broadcast networks.

The lecture reflected the College of Communication’s commitment to connecting students with international scholars to explore timely issues in the digital age. Dr. Tse’s insights helped students understand that "television" is not a black-and-white definition but a spectrum of experiences that requires local knowledge and historical perspective to fully comprehend in a globalized world.

Dr. Yu-Kei Tse, an Associate Professor of Media and Cultural Studies from the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo, shares her research on the meaning of television in the streaming era. (Photo by IMICS)

Dr. Yu-Kei Tse, presented comparative data showing that viewing habits remain highly culturally specific. (Photo by IMICS)

Students actively participated and asked questions during the Q&A session. (Photo by IMICS)