Evolution of a specific media type in the last 2 decades: Eastenders (minus print)

Online access

The main difference between Eastenders now and when it first aired, is that it now has a broad range of media attached to it that is available online, compared to 1985 where online coverage simply did not exist. Being broadcast by the BBC, the company's first website was created for their BBC 2 series 'The net' however the BBCs online web presence officially became popular in 1997 due to a small rise in computer access by its audience. Due to its new found internet content (well... it was new at the time) it meant that the audience where allowed access to more content such as TV timetables of when the next episodes should be aired, cast information and much more.
 However due to the time period this was set it, you can imagine that the webpages would be of a shockingly poor quality to what we are used to today meaning there wouldn't be as much content available as there on the current webpage. The website is still around yet it has improved dramatically for when it was first created, it still has the old features of cast info etc. however it is much more advanced as there are more options such as episode guides, games and catch up. This shows the audiences change in demands, along with the revolution of better technology, the website has had to keep its audience interested, this is done by the added content i.e. 'behind the scenes' access you can get to help keep fans interested in the show and therefor maintain website page views. Another need comes in the form of catch up TV, three major things happened in 2007 for the BBC the first being the creation of BBC iplayer. The creation of iplayer shows that the audience demanded a viewing system that meant they could fit their favourite show into their busy lives, by having iplayer available to viewers it allows them the ability to watch Eastenders whenever and wherever they like instead of having to sit at a TV at the same time every night like when it was first broadcast.
The second thing that happened in 2007 was the fact that the BBC signed a deal with google that meant they could post videos onto YouTube, the deal changed advertising for the BBC as they could now post their advertisements onto their YouTube account as well as paying for their ads to be at the start of videos on already existing YT videos. From not only their account, you can also view clips, cast interviews etc. also, due to their 30th anniversary on both the official website and YT account you can watch the original first episodes from 1985 as celebration, this is excusive content as you can only watch it online. This shows a bigger change in audience needs as they not only want to watch last weeks episodes but they want content available from when it first aired, a notion that was not possible a decade ago due to a lack of technology. 
The final major change in 2007 was that with the revolution of the (then) new technology that is 3G it meant that Eastenders for the first time was available to be watched on mobile phones, this is only possible due to the creation and rise in smart phones, this again shows the audiences change in needs as watching their favourite show had then become even more accessible than just watching it on a computer meaning it was more portable and easier then ever to enjoy their show. All thanks to the technological revolution.

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