Audiences of popular European television crime drama: A nine-country study on consumption patterns, attitudes and drivers of transcultural connection

TY - JOUR

T1 - Audiences of popular European television crime drama

T2 - A nine-country study on consumption patterns, attitudes and drivers of transcultural connection

AU - Bengesser, Cathrin Helen

AU - De Rosa, Paola

AU - Jensen, Pia Majbritt

AU - Spaletta, Marica

PY - 2023/4

Y1 - 2023/4

N2 - This article presents findings of a mixed-methods audience study on consumption patterns and attitudes towards European television crime narratives among European viewers. Based on semi-structured interviews in Denmark, Germany and Italy, and a nine-country online survey (n1321), we asked how, when, where and why European audiences watch crime series, and whether watching non-domestic European crime narratives influences perceptions of the European ‘Other’. Our findings reveal preferences for Anglo-American content, combined with a criticality towards domestic content often perceived as stereotyped. While stereotypes and personal and previous non-mediated encounters draw viewers to European content, they do not necessarily challenge viewers’ perceptions of the European ‘Other’. It does, however, enable critical reflection on viewers’ domestic societies and TV cultures, leading to a process of banal cosmopolitanism.

AB - This article presents findings of a mixed-methods audience study on consumption patterns and attitudes towards European television crime narratives among European viewers. Based on semi-structured interviews in Denmark, Germany and Italy, and a nine-country online survey (n1321), we asked how, when, where and why European audiences watch crime series, and whether watching non-domestic European crime narratives influences perceptions of the European ‘Other’. Our findings reveal preferences for Anglo-American content, combined with a criticality towards domestic content often perceived as stereotyped. While stereotypes and personal and previous non-mediated encounters draw viewers to European content, they do not necessarily challenge viewers’ perceptions of the European ‘Other’. It does, however, enable critical reflection on viewers’ domestic societies and TV cultures, leading to a process of banal cosmopolitanism.

KW - Crime series

KW - Audience studies

KW - social research

KW - European television

KW - Transculturality

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85134295131&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/02673231221112535

DO - 10.1177/02673231221112535

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0267-3231

VL - 38

SP - 148

EP - 165

JO - European Journal of Communication

JF - European Journal of Communication

IS - 2

ER -