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Aussie Media Landscape: Navigating News and Entertainment Sector

Exploring the Current Makeup of News Down Under

Like many other facets of our lives, the Aussie media landscape now sees most traffic and activity through the internet and mobile phones. Watching sports, playing games, or seeking out casino services are some of the most popular ways we Aussies entertain ourselves, primarily via smartphones and tablets.

In casino gaming, welcome bonuses are used to attract bettors. Many focus solely on attracting mobile betting fans, such as the market size. However, it’s not just the gambling sector that has taken advantage of this trend; the broader media has also.

The Rise of Mobile Media & Entertainment

Throughout history, many innovative changes have occurred because of convenience and cost. Companies like Amazon have witnessed colossal growth in the digital age because they cover both factors.

Not only could they deliver your shopping directly to your address without you having to leave your home, but by addressing the supply chain, they could offer cheaper costs than many local, domesticated businesses. Although digital entertainment and media have quickly adapted to this change, it’s continued to become more impactful.

Social Media Impact

It wasn’t until the rise of social media sites like Facebook and Instagram that companies truly started to see the value of perpetuating their news via social media instead of traditional methods like radio and newspaper – the likes of which are quickly becoming irrelevant in the modern world.

Social media and the internet quickly became the way tens of millions of us started to get our news. It was cheaper to do so, quicker, and we could seek out more sources for news that intrigued us most.

Of course, this doesn’t come without negatives, which we will discuss in greater detail – but the combination of enhanced convenience and lower cost facilitated almost entirely by the internet has meant the rise of mobile media and entertainment has been the most prosperous area of the industry this century.

Navigating the Current News & Entertainment Landscape

Although the dominant force in media and entertainment is the smartphone and digital platforms, there are still other ways we Aussies seek out headlines, too. Plenty of mainstream media outlets bring in millions, with those, particularly the older generation, still seeking out these services instead of internet platforms.

The Australian media landscape operates on a polarising spectrum in this regard, with many people under 30 not watching mainstream news and those over 65 getting most of their news from popular mainstream outlets like Sky News Australia and ABC.

Key Things to Stay Aware of

Obtaining news information from one source isn’t usually the optimum way to navigate news. While many different forms and companies operate across a scale, here are some components you can factor in to ensure your opinion remains balanced and knowledgeable.

  • Question sources.
  • Does the media outlet have a particular agenda?
  • Are they trying to push a message or force an opinion?
  • Is it balanced, fair, and accurate?
  • Do they cite reliable sources and bring in people of all political persuasions?

Ultimately, the best way to navigate the news is to help you stay informed without getting too pulled into one particular opinion perpetuated by a sole media outlet.

Navigating the Entertainment Sector

Although both industries use digital springboards to keep you engaged, there is a stark contrast between news and entertainment. Websites like YouTube and streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, etc., are immensely popular ways people seek entertainment.

Combined, they have a customer base of close to one billion. While this dominance has dissuaded some Australians, causing them to cancel expensive television packages to seek cheaper streaming alternatives, navigating multiple streaming sites poses other problems.

The now abundant and relatively expensive combination of half a dozen or so entertainment sites has meant that Aussies are being more frugal and meticulous, and not opting for every streaming site there is.

When we discuss news and entertainment, how could we not mention the explosion in the number of podcasts over the last five years? It feels as though their ubiquitous presence has now channeled a lot of media and news on a global scale. So, while there’s no shortage of options, it’s important to be aware of the negatives too.

Issues With Media Landscape

Traditionally speaking, there’s been a significant, systemic issue with a handful of media companies owning the media and entertainment landscape. Although many politicians, experts, and activists have raised the issue that exists, it persists, and you won’t just see this in Australia; it happens right across the West and Europe, too.

Podcasts, streaming services, and social media have provided organic routes for individual outlets to start up and provide their own versions of the news or entertainment. While this is healthy, and nobody should discourage it, homemade, organic versions of news are not vetted and can also come with a heightened agenda.

Media Bias Online?

Although the internet was initially thought to be a force for good and an authentic bastion of truth, the last decade has jeopardized this viewpoint. Again, the monopolization of search engines and billion-dollar news outlets dominating much of the news we now see on social media and online has created the same sorts of issues that existed pre-internet.

Due to the increase in convenience and lower costs, many of us will read more news and opinion on every field – gambling, gaming, finance or money, etc. However, it can dilute the waters, and the volume can be overwhelming. These are all factors we must weigh up.

The Future Of News & Entertainment

As with so many other industries, the future of news and entertainment will likely be online. It could be primarily digital, which is the best bet, or it could be a combination of websites, apps, and traditional sources like newspapers and television making up a smaller percentage – as it does now.

The human condition dictates that we often seek news that mirrors our opinions. Many of us are reluctant to entertain the idea on the other end of the political spectrum, and the abundance of sources on the internet means you don’t have to. How this will manifest and embody over the next few decades is anyone’s guess. Still, it can potentially cause a significant societal divide if we do not heed the warnings.

Future Direction of the Entertainment Landscape

Entertainment is slightly less of a concern, but the rise of AI could play a factor in many within the industry becoming surplus to requirements. History has shown that the power lying with a handful of influential individuals or corporations often doesn’t cultivate originality. So, the global dominance of streaming services should be something we have a healthy criticism of, too.

Conclusion

The Aussie media landscape follows a direction similar to that of other Western countries. Social media sites like Facebook and YouTube and mainstream media outlets with ubiquitous presence across Western media like the Sky/Fox corporation are also prevalent down under.

Understanding that media and entertainment are 24/7, global enterprises will help you approach them in the most balanced way possible. Maintaining balance in both is crucial to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

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