Transnational Television Drama - by Elke Weissmann (Hardcover)

About the Book

A history of American and British television drama, this book charts how the two production systems have moved closer together since the 1970s: both observe each other to drive innovation, and both continuously turn to each other to find new markets and new production partners. Although earlier collaborations exist, this increased transnationalisation of US and UK television drama has intensified since the 1970s as the increased number of channels and new technologies such as the internet and cable and satellite have led to stronger competition. Examining genres as diverse as period drama, the mini-series, the super-soaps of Dallas and Dynasty, crime drama and the recent spout of celebrated British and American quality drama, this book investigates how marketing campaigns within the press continually return these dramas into the realm of the nations they represent.

Book Synopsis

This history of British and American television drama since 1970 charts the increased transnationalisation of the two production systems. From The Forsyte Saga to Roots to Episodes, it highlights the close relationship that drives innovation and quality on both sides of the Atlantic.

Review Quotes

'Perhaps one of the strongest points of this excellent book is the realization that despite many creative, industrial and socialcultural entwinements between the UK and US production cultures their output is, still, perceived, critiqued and marketed as a result of an outdated conception of producing entertainment from within and for a singular national culture.' - Kai Hanno Schwind, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television

About the Author

ELKE WEISSMANN is Senior Lecturer in Film and Television at Edge Hill University, UK. She is vice-chair of the television studies section of the European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA). The research presented here culminates work conducted during her employment as research fellow at the University of Reading for the AHRC-funded project 'British Television Drama and Acquired US Programmes, 1970-2000'.