Date
4-17-2024
Department
School of Communication and the Arts
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Chair
Carol E. Hepburn
Keywords
Over-the-top (OTT) networks, Media consumption, Shared cultural memory, Communication theory
Disciplines
Communication
Recommended Citation
Brown, Michael Jelani Akil, "Over-the-Top (OTT) Networks' Influence on Shared Cultural Memory" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5365.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5365
Abstract
The digital landscape underwent a profound transformation in the Over-The-Top (OTT) network era, significantly altering media consumption. This study delved into the intricate and multifaceted impact of OTT networks on society, communication theory, and socio-cultural traditions, specifically emphasizing their influence on shared cultural memory. The research was rooted in a robust methodology that combined a Qualtrics online survey disseminated across various social media platforms and in-depth interviews with 25 carefully selected participants. This rigorous approach aimed to shed light on the profound influence of OTT networks on shared cultural memory while investigating how these platforms shaped perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and values. The findings revealed the ascendant role of OTT networks in shaping shared cultural memory, exerting their influence on individual and collective memories, and fundamentally altering conventional paradigms of media communication. Within this landscape, the pivotal significance of content quality, viewer preferences, and the overarching theme of accessibility emerged as driving forces behind the widespread adoption of OTT services. This study shed light on how OTT networks revolutionized contemporary media consumption, impacted communication theory, and reshaped socio-cultural traditions. It underscored the need for ongoing research to fully grasp the profound implications of this digital revolution in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. OTT networks have revolutionized media consumption and played a pivotal role in shaping society's collective memory in the digital era.