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< Back Heritiana Ranaivoson Research Professor heritiana.renaud.ranaivoson@vub.be While digital technologies have been here for quite some time already, I am still amazed by the changes they keep triggering in the cultural and media industries and how they allow (or constrain) these industries to innovate. I am particularly interested in the impact these changes have on the diversity of the content these industries produce and recommend. And eventually the policies that are needed in this new environment. I analyse these changes using my background in industrial economics, business modelling and media policy, with a peculiar interest in combining quantitative and qualitative research. I obtained my PhD in Economics (Université Paris 1, Panthéon-Sorbonne) in 2008 on cultural diversity in the recording industry. I also studied Economics and Management at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan (France). Since then, and notably since I joined imec-SMIT-VUB in 2010, I have led several research projects at international and national levels for the European Commission ( H2020 , study contracts ), the Unesco , Google , etc. I have published extensively in the fields of cultural and media diversity , media innovation , media policy, audiovisual platforms , and the economic impact of digital technologies on creative industries . Visit my research profile

< Back Wendy Van den Broeck Associate professor wendy.van.den.broeck@vub.be As the world of media and television is ever changing, it’s something I’ll never grow tired of. My first research project was on interactive digital television and it is unbelievable how rapid the industry and the technology have evolved since. New services like time-shifted viewing, Netflix, personalised advertising and immersive media applications have entered our everyday lives. At the same time, these trends are often not as disruptive as expected. For example when iDTV was introduced, it was announced that broadcasters would disappear and the 30 second commercial would die a silent death. Users are often surprising in their habits and practices. On the one hand, old habits die hard and user patterns tend to change slowly. On the other hand, surprising or unexpected usage of technology can lead to fascinating new developments. That is why user research is my biggest passion. I like to interact with users and unravel their motivations and expectations. I really believe in our living lab approach that puts the user in the centre of the design and development process. By involving users from the very early stage of an innovation process, we can help to develop technological services and products that are really user-friendly and society proof. This also helps the media industry to face the different challenges and disruptions they have to cope with today. I am currently head of the Living Lab cluster at SMIT and assistant professor at the communications studies department of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel where I teach several international and national courses, most of them related to research methodology. My current research projects relate to personalised and immersive media and include the EU projects Immersia TV , CPN and HRadio. I joined SMIT in 2003, after completing a master in communication sciences (VUB-2002), and obtaining a postgraduate diploma in management and economics (VUB-Solvay-2003) and a teaching degree (VUB-2003). During my time at SMIT, I finished my PhD in communication sciences in 2010 entitled: “From analogue to digital: the silent (r)evolution? A qualitative study on the domestication of interactive digital television in Flanders”. Visit my research profile

< Back How Should We Measure Filter Bubbles? Michiels, L., Vannieuwenhuyze, J., Leysen, J., Verachtert, R., Smets, A., & Goethals, B. 2023. How Should We Measure Filter Bubbles? A Regression Model and Evidence for Online News. In Proceedings of the 17th ACM Conference on Recommender Systems. News media play an important role in democratic societies. Central to fulfilling this role is the premise that users should be exposed to diverse news. However, news recommender systems are gaining popularity on news websites, which has sparked concerns over filter bubbles. More specifically, editors, policy-makers and scholars are worried that these news recommender systems may expose users to less diverse content over time. To the best of our knowledge, this hypothesis has not been tested in a longitudinal observational study of real users that interact with a real news website. Such observational studies require the use of research methods that are robust and can account for the many covariates that may influence the diversity of recommendations at any given time. In this work, we propose an analysis model to study whether the variety of articles recommended to a user decreases over time in such an observational study design. Further, we present results from two case studies using aggregated and anonymized data that were collected by two western European news websites employing a collaborative filtering-based news recommender system to serve (personalized) recommendations to their users. Through these case studies we validate empirically that our modeling assumptions are sound and supported by the data, and that our model obtains more reliable and interpretable results than analysis methods used in prior empirical work on filter bubbles. Our case studies provide evidence of a small decrease in the topic variety of a user's recommendations in the first weeks after they sign up, but no evidence of a decrease in political variety. Recommender Systems Previous Read the article Next

< Back Streaming Affordances for small media markets Living Lab 2023-2026 Delayed viewing, major ad giants like Google and Facebook, and the rise of American streaming platforms have significantly increased the pressure on local providers. In response, Flemish broadcasters and distribution entities have launched their own streaming services in recent years. Some offer free services, with or without ads (such as VRT MAX, VTM GO, and GoPlay), while others operate on subscription models (like Streamz). The local platforms often adopt the successful features of major streaming services. It is crucial for local providers to differentiate themselves with a wealth of local content, giving them a competitive edge over foreign platforms. However, a key challenge in our market is the limited scale, which necessitates strategic choices in purchasing, production, distribution, and marketing. At the heart of these changes is a shift in our viewing habits. To give Flemish streaming services the best chance in this highly competitive market, it is essential to understand how Flemish consumers watch video content, identify key viewing patterns, know what viewers expect from streaming services, and gauge the effectiveness of brand or content positioning strategies. Our living lab, ‘Streaming Affordances for Small Media Markets,’ seeks to address this through five key deliverables: a (1) SOTA analysis, (2) diary study, (3) viewing survey, (4) a living lab, and (5) experiments. 1. SOTA analysis The SOTA analysis compiles data from recent studies and reports, aiming to provide a clear view of trends impacting our audiovisual sector. It covers international, European, and Flemish media usage, alongside 10 trends in the global streaming market that are likely to influence Flanders. 10 trends in de internationale streamingmarkt .pdf Download PDF • 2.21MB The policy brief (in Dutch) 2. Diary study This deliverable explores the motivations that guide Flemish viewers in their selection of VoD services and content. It draws on a large-scale multifaceted audience study with VoD consumers in Flanders and consists of an exploratory survey (N=77), a diary study (N=62) and semi-structured face-to-face interviews (N=60). Motivaties voor VoD-consumptie in Vlaanderen .pdf Download PDF • 1.26MB 3. Viewing survey Building on the diary study, the SMIT viewing survey (N=2000) serves as larger-scale quantitative research. It explores viewers’ attitudes toward linear TV, their familiarity with and use of VoD services, associations with specific platforms, device preferences, and the dynamic between cinema and streaming. Voorkeuren in VoD-consumptie in Vlaanderen. Resultaten kwantitatieve bevraging. .pdf Download PDF • 1.26MB The policy brief on the diary study and the viewing survey (in Dutch) Future research The living lab and related experiments will take place in 2025-2026. Researchers on this project Jeroen Peeters Senior Researcher Manager Tim Raats Associate Professor Wendy Van den Broeck Associate professor Annelien Smets Research Professor Consortium partners VLAIO.png VLAIO.png 1/1 Tags Platforms, Public Service Broadcasting, Streaming Previous Next

< Back Adelaida Afilipoaie Postdoctoral Researcher adelaida.afilipoaie@vub.be I am a senior researcher in the field of media policy, with an affinity for electronic communications networks and services, and online platforms. I am part of the Brussels-based imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel research group, more specifically part of the Media Economics and Policy Unit. In 2016 I graduated from my BA. in Media Studies and Television in the United Kingdom. After gaining theoretical knowledge and hands-on production experience in the media industry, I decided to pursue a MSc. in Communication Studies at the VUB in Brussels from which I graduated in 2018. Right after graduating I started working at imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where, by combining economic platform theories and media policy research, I conducted my PhD on the regulatory frameworks at the EU and Member States level, and their ability to address the online platform power concerns, which I finalized in 2023. Currently, I am conducting postdoctoral research for several projects (Fair MusE, ALGEPI and GMICP). Considering the domination of online platforms and their algorithms, these projects tackle the various concerns of the European music ecosystem, the impact of algorithmic gatekeepers on individuals’ epistemic welfare and the media markets concentration trends. When I am not involved in research, I am a guest lecturer for the Digital Media in Europe Master’s programme at the VUB and I act as a master’s thesis supervisor. During my time as a PhD candidate, I acted as a Teaching Assistant for the MSc. course European Media Markets and facilitated several workshops part of the now discontinued Postgraduate in Media Economics programme at the VUB (2018-2020). I have experience with European projects as I was a contributor to the SMART 2018/0066 study on the implementation of the new provisions in the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and CNECT/2020/OP/0099 study on the Media Plurality and Diversity Online, both funded by the European Commission’s DG CNECT. Visit my research profile

< Back New research network for VOD research methods 16 Oct 2024 A new website with all there is to know about Video-on-Demand (VoD) research methods Exciting news for all media researchers working on VOD: a new website has been launched for Video-on-Demand (VoD) research methods. This network is created by Ramon Lobato, Karin van Es, and Jannick Sørensen. The site aims to support researchers investigating VoD platforms and methodologies. 🌐 Although still under development, it’s already up and running at vodmethods.net . The network was born from the Innovative Methods for Video-on-Demand Research event on 12 September 2024. The event, organized by Karin van Es from Utrecht University and Ramon Lobato from RMIT University, gathered VOD researchers to discuss the latest methodological innovations in VoD studies. Tim Raats and Catalina Iordache were invited to present their research on a methodological toolkit. 💡 Discover more about the SRP Media researchers here . One of the outstanding features of the new website is the Reading list . This resource is a living document, updated with essential readings on a variety of themes related to VoD research. It’s designed to serve both experienced researchers and students, providing a comprehensive starting point for anyone diving into the complexities of VoD platforms and their societal impact. As the network grows, so will the reading list, which we hope will become a go-to resource for the entire community. 📚 Next to the reading list, make sure to have a look at the Toolkit , and keep an eye on the site as it continues to develop. This is just the beginning for what promises to be an invaluable resource for VoD research. Previous Next

< Back Public Service Media in the Age of Platforms PSM-AP Public service media (PSM) organizations have to compete with global streaming services (e.g. Netflix and YouTube), for audiences, revenue and talent. They have had to develop new on-demand services and online content that can only be delivered through the online systems owned by global platforms such as Google, Apple and Amazon. The PSM-AP project asks how PSM organisations, and the regulators and policymakers that legislate for and enforce their remits, are adapting to this new platform age, and how their responses might be altering the social and cultural values of PSM and its ability to operate in the public interest. It focuses on television, which remains at the heart of PSM. It asks how the new environment within which PSM organisations are operating might affect the values that underpin the production and distribution of TV programmes by PSM organizations, and the policy debates and regulatory structures that shape the remits and structures within which PSM organizations operate. The project will compare data gathered within and across six countries and 12 PSM organizations: Belgium (RTBF, VRT), Canada (CBC), Denmark (DR, TV 2), Italy (RAI), Poland (TVP), UK (BBC, Channel 4, S4C, ITV, Channel 5). Researchers on this project Catalina Iordache Guest Professor Tim Raats Associate Professor Consortium partners Aarhus University University of Leeds University of Warsaw Aarhus University 1/5 Tags Platforms, Media Policy Previous Next

< Back Report Published: How to Ensure Visibility and Prominence for Media Services of General Interest in Flanders 15 Jul 2025 Commissioned by the Flemish Minister of Media, this research report investigates findability, discoverability, and due prominence for audiovisual and auditive media services. We’re pleased to announce that the study conducted by Prof. Dr. Tim Raats , Dr. Adelaida Afilipoaie , Pieter Van der Elst , and Noëmie Forest for the Flemish Minister of Media and the Department of Culture, Youth and Media has now been officially published. The report, titled Study on appropriate prominence, visibility and findability for audiovisual and auditive media services of general interest in Flanders , is now available via the Department’s website. 📄 Read the full study (in Dutch) here: 👉 https://www.vlaanderen.be/publicaties/studie-omtrent-passende-aandacht-zichtbaarheid-en-vindbaarheid-voor-audiovisuele-en-auditieve-mediadiensten-van-algemeen-belang-in-vlaanderen The study addresses a pressing policy question: How can we ensure that audiovisual and audio media services of general interest remain findable, discoverable, and appropriately prominent in the digital media environment — and what additional policy measures might be needed in Flanders to achieve this? As part of our academic work on media policy and platform regulation, we developed this research as a contribution to the Flemish media policy agenda. The report: Maps the current Flemish landscape on the matter Compares with international practices and emerging regulatory approaches across Europe And formulates recommendations for a future-proof policy framework . We’re also pleased to see that the report has already had direct policy impact : it served as a reference work for the Department in drafting new plans around prominence and findability, which were approved by the Flemish Government in early July . These plans make Flanders one of the first smaller media markets in the EU to introduce a legal framework explicitly addressing prominence for media services of general interest — a notable development in the implementation of Article 7a of the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). This project reflects the broader media policy research of our SRP Media team at imec-SMIT. An academic publication on the topic of due prominence for media services of general interest — authored by Pieter, Adelaida, and Tim as part of Pieter’s ongoing PhD research on the platformization of public service media — is also forthcoming. Stay Tuned! https://www.srpmedia.be/team/adelaida-afilipoaie Previous Next

< Back Challenges and opportunities for recommender systems in media markets Ranaivoson, H., Smets, A. & Ballon, P. (2024). Challenges and opportunities for recommender systems in media markets. In U. Rohn, M. Rimscha & T. Raats (Ed.), De Gruyter Handbook of Media Economics (pp. 215-228). Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110793444-015 Recommender systems have become omnipresent in media markets, fromproduction to distribution and consumption. What is often overlooked, however, isthat the multi-sided nature of contemporary media markets implies that recom-mender systems need to balance the needs and requirements of actors on differentsides of these markets, such as content providers and end-users. Starting from an overview of the rapidly growing literature on recommender systems in media mar-kets, and emphasizing their multi-sided nature, we first describe the main typologies of recommender systems and analyze how various stakeholders might adopt particular strategies to have these systems create novel market opportunities. Then, we discuss media market dilemmas that result from these stakeholders’ often competing objectives in terms of biases, notably filter bubbles, management dilemmas, and is-sues around privacy and transparency. We argue how revisiting these concerns from a multi-stakeholder perspective opens up new angles to understand recommender systems’ impact on contemporary media markets. Recommender Systems Previous Read the article Next

< Back Calling all music lovers! 28 May 2024 Help us by providing your music listening data Your playlists have the power to drive change. By donating your favourite tunes to the Fair MusE project, you're not just sharing good vibes – you're supporting artists who deserve fair recognition and compensation! SMIT , the research group at imec & VUB, is part of a wider interdisciplinary team of academic and industry partners whose mission is to raise awareness about how music algorithms, data collection, and exploitation models of social media and streaming platforms influence music creators and audiences. In a nutshell, the three-year Horizon EU funded project aims to promote fairness for a more sustainable and competitive music ecosystem in Europe. If you are a user of Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music, be part of the change and donate your music streaming data here ! Let's build a more inclusive and equitable music industry, one playlist at a time! For more information you can reach out to info@fairmuse.eu . For updates stay tuned on LinkedIn . Previous Next

< Back Media policymaking and multistakeholder involvement: Matching audience, stakeholder and government expectations for public service media in Flanders Van den Bulck, H. & Raats, T. (2023). Media policymaking and multistakeholder involvement: Matching audience, stakeholder and government expectations for public service media in Flanders. European Journal of Communication , 38 (2), 132-147. https://doi.org/10.1177/02673231221112199 This contribution analyzes government, opposition, public service media, media stakeholders and audience views regarding the role and remit of public service media in the run-up to and their impact on the renewal of the 2021–2025 management contract between public broadcaster VRT and the Flemish Government. Results show that, despite a shifting media ecosystem and academics and government pushing for fundamental reform, audiences and most stakeholders’ views stick to a centralised, broad and multiplatform public media institution. Moreover, they expect public service media to solve ever more media and societal issues (e.g. fake news) within a shrinking budget. The case illustrates how mature, evidence-based multistakeholderism pushes public service media to meet an increasingly challenging set of expectations, hampers both public service media and government to build a well-balanced, long-term vision of public service media's role and, instead, pushes them to pursue their own agenda. Lastly, an evidence-based process also suffers from issues of validity of the data. Stakeholders, Platforms, Public Service Media Previous Read the article Next

< Back Join us at DBWRS 2023 15 Aug 2023 Get inspired at the first Dutch-Belgian Workshop on Recommender Systems Get ready for the first Dutch-Belgian Workshop on Recommender Systems (DBWRS)! On 14 and 15 December 2023, researchers and practitioners gather in the beautiful city of Antwerp for a two-day workshop to to explore and discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in the field of recommender systems. DBWRS is a collaborative event bridging diverse field such as computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, psychology, communication, and more! Together we spark innovative and interdisciplanary approaches that enhance user experiences, empower perzonalization and contribute to the growing field of recomemnder systems. We invite you to join us at DBWRS 2023! Share your insights, connect with other researchers and practitioners and get inspired by experts. See you in Antwerp on 14 & 15 December 2023. www.dbwrs23.be Previous Next