Tasks: From the First TVs to Streaming

A survey called the Loneliness Experiment carried out by BBC Radio 4 in 2018 found that 40% of 16-24-year-olds feel lonely often, or very often. This number is significantly higher than for any other age group.

1. The article suggests that linear television provided people with a sense of community while streaming fosters individualism. Can this focus on individual rather than shared experiences be contributing to young people feeling lonely?
2. What other reasons may there be for young people feeling more lonely than other generations?
3. Is the author of the article wrong when claiming that streaming is primarily an individualistic experience?

You can get more information about the survey here: BBC website: The Loneliness Experiment.

Pick one of the tasks and make an oral presentation.

1. Research your classmates' viewing habits and present your findings. Do they mainly use linear television, streaming, or no TV at all? What are the reasons for their choices?
2. Research the history of television in the United States and the history of television in Norway and make a presentation in which you compare the two. What significant similarities and differences are there?

3. Television has had a great impact on our society for over 80 years. Research and find examples of ways that TV has changed society, people's opinions, or the way they live their lives.

   
   

Pick one of the tasks and write a five paragraph essay.

1. Write an argumentative essay where you try to convince the reader that streaming is better than linear television.
2. Write an argumentative essay where you try to convince the reader that linear television is better than streaming.
3. Write a discussion essay where you discuss which is better: linear television or streaming.
4. Write a discussion essay where you discuss if too much of our time is spent watching entertainment.

You can read about the five paragraph essay here: NDLA article about how to write a five paragraph essay.

In the chart you will find prices for some common streaming services. Use the numbers to answer the questions below.

1. Pick one of the streaming services and calculate what it would cost to subscribe for a year.
2. The prices are given in US dollars. What would the cost be in Norwegian kroner? (Here you may want to use a currency calculator to find out.)
3. Pick one of the streaming services and calculate the cost of subscribing for 10 years. (Assume that the subscription fee will stay the same).
4. What would the 10-year cost be in Norwegian kroner? (Here you may want to use a currency calculator to find out).
5. Write down the streaming services you make use of in an average month, whether they are for TV, film, music, or something else.
6. Use the internet and calculate the subscription cost of all the streaming services you have access to.
7. Do you think streaming services give value for money? Give reasons for your opinion.
8. In the past people would buy CDs and DVDs and collect them in their homes. Today this has largely been replaced by streaming. Point out advantages and disadvantages to streaming compared to buying CDs or DVDs.