Media Production (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Media Studies): Revision Note

Media industries

What are media industries?

• Media industries are the organisations and businesses that create, produce, distribute, and sell media products

• Products include films, TV programmes, newspapers, magazines, video games, music, websites, and social media content

• Media industries exist for multiple reasons, including:

  • Inform audiences 

  • Entertain audiences

  • Educate audiences 

  • Make profit 

• Media industries are built through a set of key stages and structures

• These consist of production processes, ownership structures, distribution systems, technology, regulation, and funding models

• Each stage and structure must be navigated carefully to ensure success of the final products and to maximise profit for the organisations

Production

• Production is the stage of planning and creating media products

• Some media products are made by large media organisations such as Disney, BBC or Netflix

• Large organisations usually have bigger budgets, more staff, and better technology, which affects quality and reach

• Products made by individuals and small groups include YouTubers or independent filmmakers

• Smaller producers often have less money but more creative freedom

Distribution & Circulation

• Distribution is how media products are shared with audiences, for example

  • Cinema

  • TV

  • Streaming

  • Social media

• Circulation is how media moves across platforms and reaches different audiences

• Measuring circulation means totalling the average number of copies or views of a media product that are distributed to an audience

  • It can be measured over different time periods, such as daily, weekly, or annually

• Circulation does not always mean the number of sales, as some media products are free for audiences to access

• Industry relies on distribution and circulation to fulfil the intentions of their product (profit or awareness)

Technology

• Media industries grow by using new technologies, such as streaming services, social media, and digital editing

• Technology changes how media is produced, distributed, and consumed

• Digital technology and platforms like Netflix, YouTube, TikTok make it easier to reach global audiences quickly

• New technologies also have a big impact on media products, helping companies create exciting and modern content that attracts audiences

  • Example: CGI and special effects make music videos and TV shows more visually impressive, while video games use augmented reality and other interactive techniques to keep players engaged