Cultural Industries

By David Hesmondhalgh

Book Overview

An undisputed classic, the Fourth Edition of this bestselling media studies text offers an unparalleled analysis of the cultural industries.

Bringing together a huge range of research, theory and key concepts, David Hesmondhalgh provides an accessible yet critical exploration of cultural production and consumption in the global media landscape. This new edition: Analyses the influence of IT and tech companies like Google, Apple, Amazon and Facebook on the cultural industries. Discusses the impact of digital technologies on industries such as music, TV, newspapers, books and digital games. Explores the effects of digitalisation on culture, discussing critical issues like participation, power, commercialism, surveillance, and labour. Examines the changing conceptions of audiences, and the increasing influence of market research, audience tracking and advertising.

As one of the most read, most studied and most cited books in the field, this Fourth Edition is an essential resource for students and researchers of media and communication studies, the cultural and creative industries, cultural studies and the sociology of the media.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 152642410X
• ISBN13: 9781526424105
• Release Date: April 2019
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Limited
• Length: 568 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 3.8" x 2.8" x 0.5"

Customer Reviews

Very refined analysis, not for those who want a quick, simple, or unrealistic analysis of cultural i

I was a bit shocked by the previous review, which says the book is a chore to read and doesn't have any answer to the questions it raises. I think the author offers an answer - cultural industries are extremely complex, and a wide range of social, cultural, and political forces are constantly shaping the cultural industries. His strategy of analysis is to broadly outline some historical trends of cultural industries; but he also adds more complexity in analyzing these trends, warning us not to reify those trends. There is no XXX-determinism in this book. Rather, it calls for more refined analysis of the cultural industries around the world. Many scholars have praised the book, and I don't think they're lying. If one wants to hold on to simplistic approaches like some hard-core versions of the political economy approach, which tend to downplay the complexity of things, s/he should avoid reading this book. But if you believe in Gramsci and the idea that culture (production, text and reception) is always in a state of struggle, this book is for you.