11. PODCAST - PEYTON'S PODCAST

Peyton’s podcasts are a set of podcasts, which follow the show one tree hill. On the show, Peyton makes podcasts and so the producers have followed this through, with actually putting these podcasts on the internet. If you listened to the podcasts, you may be lead to believe they are actually based on real life, however they instead follow what is happening in the show. Recently these podcasts have developed in vodcasts and so now they listeners can also watch videos which have extra information, which is not necessarily connected with what is happening in the show at a certain time, for example OTH music. It is relevant to show the increase in internet use, and interactivity and also how fans can now extend their experiences, by downloading podcasts.

The main audience involved is viewers of the show one tree hill, as they can use the podcast to get extra information on the show. These viewers are generally females aged 14-20. People who do not watch one tree hill may be interested in the podcasts however it may be confusing for them, as the podcasts refer to things which happen in the show, which they will not know about. If you are really interested in the podcast, there is a website which you can then go to in order to discuss the podcast further. This allows you to extend your interest and therefore talk to people who are interested in similar things to you. The podcasts allow the listener to listen to extra information, when they are out and about, through their iPod for example, or when they are at home, via the computer. The fact that the podcasts automatically update means that the listeners can stay as up to date as possible. The podcasts also help to involve the audience more, as they can feel more in touch with the character as it is almost as if they are keeping a diary on their life, making it even more realistic for the audience. Generally however the podcast offers fans of one tree hill to find out more info, and more recently to view trailers which then may encourage their interest in the show even further.

CW the channel which broadcast OTH, benefit as it allows for extra publicity to be created. People who are browsing in the podcast section of the iTunes website may see the podcast, start to listen and then be encouraged to watch the show. As the podcasts are relatively cheap to make it also allows for not too much money to be spent in order for the show to be advertised further. The video podcasts allow for the show to be advertised, as the characters speak to the camera about when the next show is out and the trailers also help to advertise the show. Overall it is easy to see that the podcasts allow for extra advertising to be created, for a relatively cheap price. Peyton’s podcasts are a set of podcasts, which follow the show one tree hill. On the show, Peyton makes podcasts and so the producers have followed this through, with actually putting these podcasts on the websites. If you listened to the podcasts, you may be lead to believe they are actually based on real life, however they instead follow what is happening in the show. Recently these podcasts have developed in vodcasts and so now they listeners can also watch videos which have extra information, which is not necessarily connected with what is happening in the show at a certain time, for example OTH music. It is relevant to show the increase in internet use, and interactivity and also how fans can now extend their experiences, by downloading podcasts.

The main audience involved is viewers of the show one tree hill, as they can use the podcast to get extra information on the show. These viewers are generally females aged 14-20. People who do not watch one tree hill may be interested in the podcasts however it may be confusing for them, as the podcasts refer to things which happen in the show, which they will not know about. If you are really interested in the podcast, there is a website which you can then go to in order to discuss the podcast further. This allows you to extend your interest and therefore talk to people who are interested in similar things to you. The podcasts allow the listener to listen to extra information, when they are out and about, through their iPod for example, or when they are at home, via the computer. The fact that the podcasts automatically update means that the listeners can stay as up to date as possible. The podcasts also help to involve the audience more, as they can feel more in touch with the character as it is almost as if they are keeping a diary on their life, making it even more realistic for the audience. Generally however the podcast offers fans of one tree hill to find out more info, and more recently to view trailers which then may encourage their interest in the show even further.

CW the channel which broadcast OTH, benefit as it allows for extra publicity to be created. People who are browsing in the podcast section of the iTunes website may see the podcast, start to listen and then be encouraged to watch the show. As the podcasts are relatively cheap to make it also allows for not too much money to be spent in order for the show to be advertised further. The video podcasts allow for the show to be advertised, as the characters speak to the camera about when the next show is out and the trailers also help to advertise the show. Overall it is easy to see that the podcasts allow for extra advertising to be created, for a relatively cheap price.

Narrowcasting and fragmentation can be seen, as a niche fan base is created – those who like to watch one tree hill and want to further their interest by listening to the podcast, flexibility can be seen as fans can listen to the podcast whenever it suits them, and the automatic download means that new episodes are downloaded as soon as they come out, the website where the fans can further discuss the podcast creates democratisation as anyone can join in with the discussion, convergence can be seen through the use of video in some of the podcasts, which can then be consumed through the different portals, diversification is also relevant as special interest groups are created, as can reach as the podcasts can be accessed all over the world through iTunes, and interactivity as the fans can comment and feel closer to the character through the podcasts, finally personalisation is apparent as the podcast is specifically aimed at people who like one tree hill.

Narrowcasting and fragmentation can be seen, as a niche fan base is created – those who like to watch one tree hill and want to further their interest by listening to the podcast, flexibility can be seen as fans can listen to the podcast whenever it suits them, and the automatic download means that new episodes are downloaded as soon as they come out, the website where the fans can further discuss the podcast creates democratisation as anyone can join in with the discussion, convergence can be seen through the use of video in some of the podcasts, which can then be consumed through the different portals, diversification is also relevant as special interest groups are created, as can reach as the podcasts can be accessed all over the world through iTunes, and interactivity as the fans can comment and feel closer to the character through the podcasts, finally personalisation is apparent as the podcast is specifically aimed at people who like one tree hill.

12. FAN WEBSITE – ONETREEHILL!

Onetreehillweb.net is an interactive site, which fans have set up to allow people to find out more information on one tree hill. The site is unofficial but it still contains a lot of information, some in more detail than the official website. It is relevant to show what depths people will go to if they are interested in something, and how big fans can make certain websites – this one for example is the biggest one tree hill source on the web. The technology involved is the internet, various hosting sites, and cameras.

The site is mainly of interest to people who watch one tree hill, which is usually girls aged 14-20. The site contains everything you could want to know, whether you are an extreme fan or one who watches one tree hill on and off. When you open the site up, it is easy to see how popular it is, as a sound clip is played from one of the cast introducing you to the website. The site is also relatively well designed showing how much effort has gone into this. There is a link bar across the top of the page, which you can use to guide yourself around. The links include things such as music, which takes you to a page which has all the music played in each episode, style which tells you how you can dress similarly to the people on opne tree hill and domain which gives you information on the sites history for example the fact that it has been in operation since 2003, and was made by two sisters from New Jersey. Down the center of the page there is a blog style update box, which has updates given from the makers of the website, on anything to do with one tree hill, for example information on the SOS campaign to save one tree hill. There is also a lot more interactive features on the site. For example as well as a search box, and a chance to vote, there are links to the forum, affiliates of the site for example one on Brucus as well as links in order to buy one tree hill stuff. One of the features on the main page is also information on the next episode, and a link to the global site – this gives information on when the show is airing in other countries for example the UK (8th April – 5pm).

The way you use the site depends on how much you are into one tree hill. If you are a hardcore fan the site is a good way to meet people with similar interests, who you can talk about the show with, however if you just watch OTH and aren’t really interested in things outside of the show its self, the site may come in handy if you have watched an episode and want to know a song from it. The site relies on adverts to keep it going, however these are all one tree hill related. The makers of the site however can also use the site to advertise if they need help – currently they are asking for bandwidth to support all the images they have to host, as well as extra pictures from the recent charity basketball game.

The site helps the CW advertise the show, although not necessarily directly as they have no control over the site. The advertisers could receive extra sales from this website as they are targeting a specific section of the audience, which their products then do. Other companies can then use the website, as they know the target audience which they are aiming for. For example the OC is advertised on the website as it is assumed by the producers that people who are interested in OTH, will also like OC as they are similar programs (american teen dramas)


Democratisation is key here, as the people that have made the website have done so of their own ground and have therefore have got in on the internet revolution themselves. Diversification is also a factor, as people with a specific interest that of OTH, can be targeted through the website and further their interest with this website. Reach is apparent due to the site being on the internet and being accessed from all over the world, as well as interactivity which allows people to get closer to the media by participating in the interactive features offered by the website. The audience can also be narrowcasting, as it can be assumed that most people who access the website are interested in one tree hill or want to find out more about it. This leaves the market fragmented as the groups that access the website are much smaller, however with a strong interest.

10. VLOG – LONELYGIRL15

Lonely Girl 15’s You Tube “vlogs” have become a cult internet phenomenon since they first debuted in June 2006. When Lonely Girl 15 first started it was thought by all that she was Bree, a home schooled, American girl and her daily vlogs became compulsive viewing for millions. However, cynics believed that she was faking it, and a debate on the LG15 forum uncovered the truth that Bree was in fact New-Zealand actress Jessica Rose, the work of 3 wannabe script writers who wanted to tell a realistic fictional story. Despite all of this being revealed Lonely Girl 15 still continues to post blogs and her popularity is still huge. As well as being the most subscribed to vlog, she also won the biggest web hit award on VH1’s big in 2006 awards. Vlogs are replacing the conventional blogging on the internet by allowing the audience to share their thoughts through videos rather than just text. This is relevant to show the increase in internet use, the development in blogs, and how the big the development of a cult phenomenon can become amongst fans.

The main people who watch Lonely Girl 15 are female teenagers who feel that they can relate to Bree’s story. However since Lonely Girls 15s reveal many feel cheated and don’t watch her anymore however, this has also gained more exposure for her meaning even more people are interested in her “life”. They watch it as it allows them to act as a voyeur – they can get insight into a real persons life, and share her thoughts and feelings. They may also be able to relate to the situations she is in, as even though it has been discovered that the whole thing was made up, it was made to be as realistic as possible, allowing the audience to relate. They also use the bog to meet new people, who are interested in the same thing as them. Fansites such as lonely girl 15 can be created due to this interest in her life by some people. However, not everyone consumes Bree’s life in the same way. Whilst some are fans who are just interested in Bree’s blogging others take their interest further by joining the fan site and commenting within it.

The company behind the idea are involved, however the main institution involved is youtube, who act as a platform for Bree to display her videos to the world. The website has slightly helped to increase youtubes exposure, as fans of Bree who log on to see her videos, may then stay and explore other parts of the websites. The main technology involved is a high quality webcam, which allows the videos posted to be of a good quality for people to watch.

Lonely girl 15’s blog is a good example of interactivity. As well as allowing Jessica Rose to post her life on the internet, people can comment on this as well as subscribe to her videos in order to receive updates when they are updated. This is also an example of persoanlisation, as she has edited the colours of the page in order to suit her tastes and included the websites that are of nterest to her on it. Qulaity has also improved, as the webcam quality we receive here is different to the old webcams, that had a much poorer quality. The website is also a key example of democratisation. The fact that Jessica Rose was easily able to set up her own vlog, and then post videos on it shows how easy it is for anyone to get in on the act and join the internet revolution. Reach is also apparent as people all over the world can access lonely giril 15’s blog by logging on to youtube. This has allowed for a world wide fanbase to be set up. However regulation, was a factor in the blogs, as Bree used to play RIAA controlled music in the background such as Nelly, however, she soon moved on to using music that could be used legally , largely under the creative common licence such as CC Mixter, due to refgulation rules.

8. BLOG – OHNOTHEYDIDNT

Ohnotheydidnt is a livejournal community where celebrity gossip is posted. In order to post and comment you have to join the community by having a livejournal, however this is free to do. If you don’t want to do this, you can just read the community for free regardless. The community is updated on a regular basis by people from all other the world, and it shows how much people can talk about things that interest them, and how the internet has allowed for niche communities such as this to be set up. The technology involved is the internet as this is an internet community.
The main people who use this blog are females aged 15-25 who are interested in celebrity gossip. Although the majority of these people come from America, as it is accessible from all over the world it means there are also plenty of members from the UK and Canada. This is because they are the age most interested in celebrity gossip; particularly in their downfalls as it lets them feel better about themselves and in some cases can be humorous. The site is constantly updated so the audience always know what’s going on. This very different to how it used to be. Before gossip lovers depending on magazines to update them with what was going on and had to be content with one fixed opinion weekly. Now, they can visit many websites, get plenty of different opinions, at regular opportunities, as well as with the increased feature of embedded video, for example Hilary Duff on Loose Women. There is also the chat feature, allowing you to have instant conversations with anyone all over the world, who is currently on the ohnotheydidnt page. This allows you to instantly discuss your views with people who are interested in the same thing as you.

The livejournal its self is simply laid out with the headline at the top which has 4 links incorporated into it – info, for more information on the community itself for example number of members (48,783 members and counting ), chat, where using “gabbly” you can have online instant messenger chats with anyone in the world who is on ohnotheydidnt at that moment in time, join, which leads you to a link to join the website in order to post and finally email, which gives you the sites email address (weeatcelebs@gmail.com). Underneath is the gossip, ranked chronologically, with the most recent first.

Livejournal is the main institution involved, as they provide the hosting site for the blog its self. In general though not many institutions are involved as it is a blog, which members of the public contribute to and there are no adverts. The gossip posted is about everyone and anyone, so in theory a company could start a gossip trail, ending up with their product on the site however this is quite unlikely.

This blog is an example of interactivity as the people who are involved can edit and post their own input on the website, immediacy as it is done through the internet, personalisation as the media is for a specific group of people – those interested in celebrity gossip and flexibility as the media can be accessed 24 hours a day. Democratisation can be seen as anyone can join in, as long as they have a livejournal putting in any news stories they may have seen, as well as commenting on other people’s stories, and so can convergence due to the fact that videos can be placed on the site. Diversification can also be seen, as the site is made for a niche audience who have a special interest in gossip. Reach can be seen as the site is on the internet, and anyone can access it from all over the world – since the 17th of September 2005, 44, 544, 377 people had visited the site (figure taken on 17/04/07), as well as fragmentation through the specialist subject being discussed on the website. Finally regulation, or the lack of, can be seen as anything can be posted, and this includes water marked images from sites such as Getty Images, for example Paris and Nicole on the set of the simple life.