Zoekresultaten

< Back Publishing public service media on demand: A comparative study of public service media companies’ editorial practices on their VoD services in the age of platformization Bruun, H., Johnson, C., Lassen, J. M., Nucci, A., Raats, T., & Świtkowski, F. (2025). Publishing public service media on demand: A comparative study of public service media companies’ editorial practices on their VoD services in the age of platformization. Journal of Digital Media & Policy . This article contributes to the emerging empirical research on the editorial practices of video-on-demand (VoD) publishing in European public service media (PSM). It presents results from a comparative study of the editorial practices visible on the VoDs from ten PSM companies across six countries: United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, Italy, Canada and Denmark. The aim of the article is to map and compare the editorial practices in the ‘prime space’ of the VoD services and the ‘prime time’ of the companies’ main linear channels. The analysis is based on data from a sample week of 13–19 November 2023. The article contributes to research addressing the key issue of universality in terms of content and discusses the conceptualizations of the audience that seem to be at work in the transition towards an online PSM identity. Public Service Media, Platforms Previous Read the article Next

< Back Media Industries Conference, London 19 Apr 2024 An overview of our presentations at Media Industries in London From April 16 to 19, 2024, the Media Industries Conference took place at King’s College London. Our SRPMedia team was well represented with presentations related to our doctoral research tracks on news recommenders and public service media , our living lab project on streaming affordances in small media markets , and presentations on the ALGEPI and PSM-AP projects. Last but not least, the De Gruyter Handbook of Media Economics was presented, which contains several contributions from our team and is co-edited by Tim Raats. In this post, we provide an overview of the various presentations delivered by our team. Integrating Recommenders and Platformization in Small Media Markets’ Legacy Players In our presentation we offered insightful perspectives on navigating the challenges and opportunities within the evolving media landscape in Flanders. From exploring streaming and recommender systems in Flemish media to analyzing the importance of scalability in small markets. The Flemish public service media VRT has been working to establish a strong central brand with content brands inspired by findability. They are challenged to reclaim control over their audiences, rather than have to rely on third parties (like social media) to reach audiences. In their distribution strategy they adopt a 50% human, manual curated, and 50% curation by algorithms both for audio and video taking into account contextual factors for example offer a podcast in the morning and user is in the car, but entertainment or series when user is at home watching on TV. VRT chooses taste-broadening as way to go by recommending unconsumed content that is deemed to be in range of consumers interest, but still diverse enough. Additionally, we question the value of news recommender systems by examining the return on investment for commercial news organizations. Finally, the findings from the diary study show that the social aspect remains relevant even with the rise of VOD services, with viewing giving a sense of community. Also while SVOD services provide personalized interfaces, local BVOD services seem to function more as generic content collections with limited navigation support. Gatekeeping in the Digital Age: Newsroom Resistance to News Personalization? Aina Errando shared some valuable insights from her research, conducted in collaboration with Heritiana Ranaivoson and Adelaida Afilipoaie as part of the ALGEPI project . Their presentation highlighted the current challenges in implementing News Recommender Systems (NRS) in Spanish newsrooms, emphasizing the importance of bridging “tech-editorial gaps” and promoting collaboration among stakeholders within news organizations. Platformization Meets Universality Catalina Iordache presented insights from the comparative policy analysis of the platformization process of public service media (PSM) in seven media markets, as part of the PSM-AP project. Findings show a wide range of priorities set in the policy documents and digital strategies of PSM organizations, with a focus on People--connecting to and with audiences, Personalization - the use of recommender systems and the development of (public service) algorithms, and Prominence - with regard to PSM services/apps, content, and brands. Universality remains a core principle in the formulation of online strategies and regulatory recommendations. De Gruyter Handbook of Media Economics During a roundtable the new Handbook of Media Economics was presented, edited by Ulrike Rohn , M. Bjørn von Rimscha and Tim Raats . The handbook presents key contributions from scholars worldwide, providing a comprehensive exploration of current trends in media industries from diverse perspectives. Within the framework of understanding contemporary and future trajectories in media markets and industries, the volume delves into their influence on media organization and delivery, along with broader societal and market implications. Encompassing research at the crossroads of economics, management, political economy, and production studies, the handbook emphasizes the necessity for a robust interdisciplinary dialogue. Beyond scrutinizing present and forthcoming industry developments, the handbook addresses pivotal issues pertaining to media economics research methods and pedagogy. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and media professionals, providing insights into media economics as an academic field and delving into the multifaceted dynamics that shape the media landscape. Doing this, it contributes to the ongoing discourse on the evolving nature of media markets and their profound impact on society. The handbook is co-edited by Tim Raats and contains the following contributions from our team: Tim Raats, Developing a curriculum for media economics Alessandro D’Arma, Jeanette Steemers & Tim Raats, Public service media: Challenges for delivering universal public service in the platform age Catalina Iordache, The effects of streaming on media markets Heritiana Ranaivoson, Annelien Smets,& Pieter Ballon, Challenges and opportunities for recommender systems in media markets De Gruyter Handbook on Media Economics will be published on 20 May, 2024. Previous Next

< Back #Etmaal2025 4 Feb 2025 Hanne looking back on her presentation on Stakeholder Alignment for News Recommender System (NRS) Implementation After a great first day of interesting sessions, good talks and a fun party, it was my turn to present some findings at Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap . This annual conference unites communication scholars from Belgium and the Netherlands and the 2025 edition took place in the beautiful city of Bruges. I could write pages about the picturesque setting and the striking juxtaposition of the historic nature of this city and the innovative, future-oriented discussions we had there. However, let’s get to the point: My presentation on the adoption of news recommender systems (NRS) by legacy, commercial news publishers in Belgium and the Netherlands, and the multi-stakeholder complexities that influence this process. Why Is the Adoption of News Recommender Systems Lagging Behind? While academic research has advanced significantly in the domain of news recommenders and personalization, the practical implementation of NRS in legacy news organizations remains limited. There exists a significant gap between the assumed widespread integration of recommendation algorithms and the reality of their adoption in established news platforms. My research suggests that a key reason for this disconnect lies in the intricate, multi-stakeholder environment in which NRS are designes and implemented . The Multi-Stakeholder Challenge Within news organizations, multiple actors with distinct institutional logics shape the adoption process. Three dominant logics are at play: The journalistic logic , which prioritizes editorial independence, public service, and the integrity and diversity of news content. The commercial logic , focused on revenue generation and return on investment. The tech logic , driven by algorithmic efficiency, and optimization of the NRS functionalities. These different stakeholder interestes and values create tensions and trade-offs : How do news organizations balance algorithmic curation with journalistic gut-feeling for selection and prioritization of news content? How can they ensure that business interests do not overshadow editorial considerations? And how can resources be allocated effectively to maximize the potential of NRS without undermining traditional newsroom workflows? My research highlights the crucial role of the Product Owner (PO) in navigating these tensions. Rather than a single PO mediating in between, all actors, we observe a network of multiple POs , each acting as an “interpreter” or “translator” for the institutional logic they represent. These POs play a vital role in facilitating communication, aligning perspectives, and crafting a strategic roadmap for NRS adoption. Presentation Slide: The complex multi-stakeholder environment with multiple PO's at the center. Two Key Stakeholder Alignment Strategies To ensure smoother adoption of NRS, POs employ two crucial stakeholder alignment strategies: Knowledge Management Strategy The POs facilitate communication between the newsroom, business unit, and tech teams, ensuring knowledge sharing and developing a common understanding. They use educational tools such as “dummy-proof” presentations and explainer videos to foster a shared understanding, mitigating misunderstandings and increase stakeholder buy-in. Showcase Success Strategy To demonstrate the value of NRS, POs present performance metrics through dashboards. However, simply displaying data is not enough. We underscore the importance of literacy within newsrooms as without a good understanding of data insights and the foundational skills to interpret dashboards, stakeholders cannot meaningfully engage with performance metrics or make informed strategic decisions. Presentation Slide: Two Stakeholder Alignment Strategies Moving Forward: A Call for Media Management Studies While advancements from computational sciences and normative narratives in journalism studies are exploring the possibilities of news personalization, media management perspectives remain underexplored. My presentation at Etmaal highlights the need for further studies that bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical implementations. The discussions and feedback I received at Etmaal reaffirmed the relevance of this research, and I look forward to continuing this conversation in future collaborations. For those interested in the role of recommender systems in news media, let’s get in touch! Previous Next

< Back Out now: Handbook of Platform Urbanism 20 Jan 2026 Online Book Launch for the Handbook of Platform Urbanism The Handbook of Platform Urbanism (Edward Elgar Publishing) brings together leading international scholars to explore how digital platforms are (re)shaping contemporary urban life. This volume presents a critical and interdisciplinary examination of the role that digital platforms play in data-driven cities. Edited by Annelien Smets and Pieter Ballon , the handbook provides a comprehensive overview of platform urbanism as a key lens for understanding how cities are increasingly organized, managed, and experienced through digital infrastructures. 📖 The Handbook of Platform Urbanism examines how digital platforms such as Uber, Airbnb, and Google Maps mediate access to public services, reorganize economic activities, and reshape social interactions in cities. All chapter abstracts are available online and provide a detailed overview of the book’s scope and contributions ➡️ Want to know more? Have a look at the one-pager attached! This also includes a 40% discount code valid for the entire handbook via Edward Elgar Publishing. Smets Handbook Flyer DISC .pdf Download PDF • 449KB To celebrate the publication of the handbook, we invite you to join the online book launch and panel discussion: 📅 Date: 2 March 2026 ⏰ Time: 10:30–12:00 CET Register for the online book launch and submit your questions for the Q&A here : https://sites.google.com/view/platformurbanism/book-launch Previous Next

< 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

< Back Jeroen Peeters Senior Researcher Manager Jeroen.peeters@vub.be Jeroen holds a PhD in Political Communication (University of Antwerp, 2022). His doctoral research explored the critical role of issue selection in political social media communication, examining both what politicians choose to highlight and what content citizens prefer to see. This comprehensive approach provided valuable insights into the digital political sphere. After his PhD, Jeroen worked as a researcher for a major media company. Jeroen works as a Senior Researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) within the Media Economics and Policy unit at SMIT. His research interests focus on video streaming services and recommender systems in Flanders. He is the research manager for 2 projects. De Proeftuin tries to gain fundamental insights into user behaviour of streaming consumers. The project wants to strengthen the offer, positioning, visibility and discoverability of Flemish streaming platforms in order to improve the overall experience users have with these platforms. The Serendipity Engine project sets out to support societal stakeholders in designing recommender systems to foster serendipity in public contexts. Visit my research profile