< Back Lien Michiels Postdoctoral Researcher lien.michiels@vub.be Lien Michiels is a Postdoctoral Researcher at imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and the Adrem Data Lab in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Antwerp. Her research focuses on diversity, discovery and filter bubbles in recommender systems. Previously, she combined her PhD research with her work as a Machine Learning Engineer at Froomle , who provide their recommendation platform as a service to media companies around the globe. She obtained a master's degree in Mathematical Engineering at the KULeuven in 2017. Visit my research profile

< Back Dongxiao Li PhD Researcher dongxiao.li@vub.be We are surrounded by a technologically evolving media world where journalism agencies and media firms are increasingly utilizing innovative technologies like artificial intelligence(AI) to improve the production efficiency and meet our personalized requirements. For a media organization, how to use the technologies to optimize the informative value and its commercial benefits? And for the media industry, how to reach a win-win situation among the main stakeholders including the media firms, the users, the technology developers, and the government, so as to boost the social welfare? Those questions intrigued me to carry out researches on illustrating the relations between the technology, the media industry and the human at different socioeconomic dimensions by both qualitative methods like interview and case study, and quantitative approaches including survey and online data analysis. After achieving the Bachelor’s degree of Economics (Shandong University, China), I worked as an overseas engineering project manager for years in other countries like India and Malaysia, which helped me gain the ability of project management as well as the vision of inter-culture communications. Then I found my enthusiasm in media study and pursued the Master’s Degree of Communication (Tsinghua University, China) with the thesis on AI adoption in the media and creative industry. Having an educational background where economics and communication converge, I am also interested in the economic communication, especially on how the business news could be better accepted via digital technologies like AI and VR. Visit my research profile

< Back The platformization of Public Service Media. A comparative analysis of five BVOD services in Western and Northern Europe Iordache, C., & Raats, T. (2023). The platformization of Public Service Media. A comparative analysis of five BVOD services in Western and Northern Europe. International Journal of Media and Cultural Politics , 19 (1), 3-22. https://doi.org/10.1386/macp_00070_1 Recent developments in the media industries have signalled the need for public service media (PSM) organizations to reposition themselves in order to reach audiences, and also secure financial sustainability and programming rights. In repositioning themselves, PSM have increasingly embraced some of the core characteristics of platforms by developing a central video-on-demand (VOD) service as portal to PSM services, investing in exclusive content and using data to create richer user experiences and gain insights into audience practices. However, this ‘platformization’ process comes with both challenges and opportunities to reach the public service remit. This article conducts an analysis of the on-demand portals of PSM, to uncover how platformization is reshaping the PSM core remit and values, and how these are transposed in online services and offerings. The research employs a comparative case study analysis of five VOD services of PSM in Western and Northern Europe: Belgium-Flanders (VRT.NU), BelgiumWallonia (RTBF Auvio), Finland (Yle Areena), Ireland (RTÉ Player) and Norway (NRK TV). The results discuss three main categories: interfaces and features, strategies for catalogue and content curation, and tools for discoverability and prominence. Platforms, Public Service Media Previous Read the article Next

< Back Integrating discoverability and prominence in video-on-demand consumption choices. A qualitative user study in Belgium Iordache, C., Loisen, J., & Van Audenhove, L. (2023). Integrating discoverability and prominence in video-on-demand consumption choices. A qualitative user study in Belgium. International Communication Gazette . https://doi.org/10.1177/17480485231191898 As video-on-demand services have taken a central position in audiovisual distribution in European markets, over-the-top viewing has become increasingly popular. This shift has heavily impacted consumption patterns and exposure diversity, as they are reshaped by non-linear distribution and technological affordances. This article aims to integrate debates on discoverability and prominence within wider research on video-on-demand consumption. It does so by widening the existing focus on the strategies deployed by video-on-demand services to capture users’ contexts and actions in the consumption decision-making process. The framework is based on exploratory qualitative research conducted in Belgium through a diary study and in-depth interviews and can contribute to future audience research on video-on-demand consumption choices. We find that users discover and choose audiovisual content to consume on demand through a combination of formal and informal factors. These are grouped into four thematic categories, namely technological affordances, perceived offering, external ‘nudges’, and process. Platforms Previous Read the article Next

< Back Dubbing wars: localisation strategies of transnational streaming services for Spanish ‘original’ works Gallo, P., & Iordache, C. (2026). Dubbing wars: localisation strategies of transnational streaming services for Spanish ‘original’ works. Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies , 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856526141627 This research investigates the intricate process of localising subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services on a transnational scale, with a specific focus on the translation of Spanish ‘original’ and ‘exclusive’ works of Netflix and Prime Video. As SVOD companies expand their services internationally, the necessity of adapting to diverse national markets becomes paramount. Language emerges as a pivotal factor in this process: audiovisual works must provide adequate subtitling and dubbing options to address the diverse linguistic nuances of international audiences. The research aims to analyse the language localisation strategies for Spanish works in transnational SVOD services, by examining the dubbing and subtitling options offered. The article provides a mapping of the strategies and partners adopted by these companies focussing on a sample of local works. Additionally, by collecting data from the two SVOD services and through interviews with dubbing studios, the research analyses mergers, acquisitions and power relations between dubbing companies, as well as the impact on competition generated by transnational streaming services. Both Netflix and Amazon have increasingly added more language options for content offerings as part of their internationalisation, which has favoured the proliferation of a specific type of company and business model in the dubbing sector. This consists of transnational corporations that have provided localisation services in the wake of the internationalisation of streamers, and that have managed to keep up with the demands through mergers and acquisitions with studios in foreign countries. Platforms Previous Read the article Next

< Back Tim Raats Associate Professor tim.raats@vub.be Most of us have grown up with public service broadcasting and linear television as the focal point for news, entertainment and TV drama. While television and public broadcasting still exist today, and still take up crucial positions in the European media landscape, the entire audio-visual constellation has – and is – changing at a rapid pace. My research interests lie on the crossroads of these changes and continuities. In my work, I combine policy research, production studies and media economics to analyse shifts in small audio-visual ecosystems. My expertise areas are public broadcasting policies and strategies on the on the one hand, (with specific attention for public broadcasting partnerships) and the sustainability of television industries in small markets, where I specialized in financing and production of TV drama. I currently lecture various media policy courses (political economy of the creative industries, media policy, EU Media Policy) at the Communication Studies Department of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. I obtained a PhD in 2014 on the role and position of public service media in a networked society. As a senior researcher at imec-SMIT, I have been involved in contract research for various stakeholders (including VRT, the Flemish Sector Council), either as researcher, lead researcher or supervisor. Recent projects I was involved in include MeCETES (2014-2016) which analysed patterns of film and TV distribution in Europe, a 2016 stakeholder evaluation of the Flemish Game Fund, and a study examining the effectiveness of support mechanisms for television in Flanders (2016-2017) (in collaboration with Econopolis). Visit my research profile

< Back Platforms and Exposure Diversity: Towards a Framework to Assess Policies to Promote Exposure Diversity Ranaivoson, H. R., & Domazetovikj, N. (2023). Platforms and Exposure Diversity: Towards a Framework to Assess Policies to Promote Exposure Diversity. Media and Communication , 11 (2), 379-391. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v11i2.6401 The fragmentation of consumption and algorithms’ increasing impact on how content is recommended and displayed makes it even more important to analyse and promote exposure diversity, i.e., the extent to which audiences are exposed to, discover, and engage with diverse content. Although there is a growing literature addressing how to define media diversity in the context of the challenges posed by platformisation, this article translates the normative dimensions into a framework for operationalising exposure diversity into a tangible policy goal, taking into account datafication and its consequences in terms of increasing data requirements towards platforms. The main objective of this study is to analyse initiatives to assess exposure diversity in the platform era and to discuss how such assessment could be improved, particu‐ larly for policy initiatives. This involves addressing several challenges of existing approaches for the assessment of exposure diversity related to defining an appropriate frame of reference, determining the degree of diversity required, dealing with data transparency issues, and promoting user autonomy. To achieve this, we propose a framework for analysing initiatives aimed at assessing and promoting exposure to media diversity. Our framework is composed of four key features: measures (type of initiative), metrics (quantifying exposure diversity), data collection methods, and data requirements. We apply this framework to a set of 13 initiatives and find that policy initiatives can benefit from adopting metrics based on distances and experimenting with data collection methods. Platforms Previous Read the article Next

< Back 16 May 2026 This book presents a comprehensive empirical examination of how global services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video transform European media streaming Streaming Europe explores how global streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video have reshaped the audiovisual landscape across Europe. Since Netflix’s arrival in 2012, the European media environment has undergone a rapid transformation, affecting every level of the industry—from production and distribution to policy and audience engagement. This book offers the first comprehensive, empirical, and comparative examination of these changes across different European markets. Written by a team of leading media scholars, it balances accessible analysis with evidence-based insights to examine how streamers have altered production practices and business models, shifted established power dynamics, and challenged long-standing broadcasting legacies. The book examines global streamers’ market-entry strategies, the use of diversity and inclusion as competitive positioning, and the tensions between producers over rights retention and local authenticity. It analyses how public and commercial broadcasters across large and small European markets have both emulated Netflix and sought to differentiate themselves from US streamers, and how governments have responded with a patchwork of policy tools such as prominence regulation, quotas, and investment obligations, raising questions about their long-term effectiveness. Finally, it explores how different genres—including teen drama, documentary, European film, scripted television, and web series—both shape and are shaped by global streamers’ evolving strategies. With its strong foundation in research and pan-European scope, Streaming Europe goes beyond single-country perspectives to present a timely and nuanced understanding of how the streaming revolution is shaping Europe’s cultural industries. It will be highly relevant to researchers in the field of media industries, media economics, audiovisual industries and media policy. The Open Access version of this book is available at Taylor and Francis . 9781040574577 .pdf Download PDF • 4.76MB Previous Next NEW BOOK: Streaming Europe

About SRP Media SRP Media represents the third Strategic Research Programme on media economics at imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel . Its focus lies on understanding algorithm-driven media industries and how they reshape value in small markets. SRP Media c lusters four PhD trajectories and affiliated research projects that deal with Streaming, Recommenders and Platformization in European Media Industries. By doing so, SRP Media aims to foster collaborations and knowledge exchanges across several national and international research projects, and to function as one centralised hub towards external stakeholders. Research projects Streaming, Recommenders and Platformization in European Media Industries The research is conducted within the broader field of media and communication studies, more particularly in the research fields of media economics, political economy, innovation studies, and media policy. The importance of the research is confirmed by existing academic research, current media company practices, and ongoing policy developments in the field. Recent academic research has already been exploring the topic of algorithms in media industries. However, this body of work remains limited, mainly due to the ongoing changes in algorithm use, as well as the limited data publicly available on how algorithms and content recommendations are made in practice. In order to contribute to scientific evidence on the topic, as well as to industry- and policy-related debates and developments, the SRP follows three main research industries, namely news media, public service media, and global and domestic streaming platforms. Each industry will be analysed from four perspectives: media companies, media content, media audiences, and media policy. It also aims to analyse the interplay between the three, to identify their effects on audience consumption, and the ways in which algorithms are used and regulated. The research combines qualitative and quantitative methodology and specifically focuses on small media markets. It also applies case studies, both individually and in comparative analyses, either between different media service providers, or between different EU Member States. The programme will provide media stakeholders with the necessary knowledge on the usage and effects of algorithms on media production, distribution, and consumption. The findings will also help policymakers to formulate legislation that will accurately measure and efficiently regulate the implementation and use of algorithms and recommender systems. Principal Investigators Pieter Ballon Supervisor Tim Raats Supervisor / Track Lead Annelien Smets Track Lead Wendy Van den Broeck Track Lead Meet our team You might also be interested in ... ... fellow knowledge hubs at imec-SMIT, Vrije Universiteit Brussel related to media and technology. Nieuwsgebruik.be Mediapunt Mediawijs Knowledge Center Data & Society

< Back 20 Jun 2024 Preliminary findings of Pieter's case study: The digital-first strategy of VRT In the span of a month, Pieter Van der Elst got to present his PhD work-in-progress at two different international conferences. First, he participated in the RIPE conference held in Lisbon from 16 til 18 May 2024. The RIPE conference is dedicated to research on Public Service Media (PSM) for innovation and sustainability. In a paper presentation about his case study on Flemish public broadcaster VRT's digital-first audio strategy, he outlined the innovative approaches VRT has adopted to adjust their operations to the platform era media landscape. The RIPE conference brings together established and junior researchers working on the topic of Public Service Media in the digital age. A perfect match with Pieter's work to present the preliminary findings, gather valuable feedback, and have some interesting discussions. Pieter's next stop was the workshop on 'Television Strategies in an On-Demand Driven Media Culture', at the Danish Aarhus University. In the two-day gathering on 13 and 14 June 2024, Pieter presented the VRT case study to academics and industry representatives, in hopes of enriching their work on television with his learnings and take-aways on digital audio. Previous Next Presenting VRT's digital first strategy

< Back 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 Media Industries Conference, London

< Back LLMs and Recommenders Ulysse Maes PhD Researcher My four-year PhD investigates how large language models are reshaping recommender and content-discovery interfaces. Rather than focussing on the underlying recommendation algorithms, I'm exploring how the interfaces around them can contributes. The aim throughout is to bridge new possibilities with generative AI with genuinely user-centric design. My central research question focuses on composing an interface (its layout, its components, what it foregrounds) to match a reader's actual, evolving information need, and proving that this match matters. The first phase of my research will map where LLMs can most usefully shape recommender and content interfaces, and just as importantly, where they shouldn't. That work will produce a validated taxonomy of what readers actually need from a complex, evolving story (a quick check-up versus broad exploration, for instance). I love building prototypes for mobile news reading, that compose interface components (timelines, actor maps, comparison views) to match the user need rather than defaulting to one layout for everyone. Some pressing ethical questions are importznt here: the guiding measure is whether the interface helps someone actually explore and understand — not how long it keeps them engaged. I'm also exploring how to turn tat taxonomy into an evaluation: a controlled comparison of interfaces that match a reader's need against interfaces that don't, alongside a generic relevance-only baseline and the plain article as it exists today. Recommender systems are usually evaluated by whether people click, not by whether the presentation actually served what they came for — this phase is built to answer the second question directly, on mobile, where interface real estate is scarce and the design trade-offs are sharper due to limited screen size. Positioned at the intersection of two research lines — the long-running academic tradition of adaptive interfaces and the fast-moving, industry-driven push toward generative UI — the project's contribution is the piece the second line is currently missing: a validated theory of which interface structures actually serve which reader needs. The goal: making sure that as recommender and content interfaces get rebuilt around generative AI, they stay accountable to the people using them, not just to engagement metrics. Publications Towards Adaptive Mixed-Initiative Media Recommender Systems with LLMs 22/03/2026 FIRE: A Modular Framework for Prototyping and Evaluating Interactive Recommender Explanations 07/06/2026 Let Me Introduce You: Stimulating Taste-Broadening Serendipity through Song Introductions 08/06/2026 Not One News Recommender To Fit Them All: How Different Recommender Strategies Serve Various User Segments 22/09/2025 GenUI(ne) CRS: UI Elements and Retrieval-Augmented Generation in Conversational Recommender Systems with LLMs 08/10/2024 Supervisors Annelien Smets Research Professor Tim Raats Associate Professor Related news 2 Impressions of IBC 2025 Ulysse’s Impressions of the International Broadcasting Convention 2025: Shaping The Future. 2 Looking back at IUI 2025 Ulysse attended the conference and presented at the AXAI workshop 2 Looking back at RecSys 2024 Sharing our reflections on the ACM RecSys Conference 2024 Previous Next