Transforming TV broadcasting within the concept of cultural industry: Example of TV8

Public broadcasting which started with the belief that television should progress under the control of the state, evolved into commercial broadcasting when it was understood that the device was an important invention not only on technological but also on ideological aspect. A new broadcasting perspective was adopted in order to promote consumption and feature entertainment as the essential requirements for the sustainability of commercial broadcasting. At this point, cultural industry got on the stage claiming the leading role. In this study, cultural industry which is one of the most important parameters within the transformation of television broadcasting has been analyzed upon the transformation of the channel TV8. Within the framework of the transformation of television broadcasting, the study aims to reveal the transformation of TV8 along with the concept of cultural industry. A survey study has been conducted throughout Turkey in order to determine the TV8 audiences' habits of following the channel, and their level of reception. Descriptive findings regarding Acun Ilicali, TV8, and the programs on TV8 have been determined in terms of frequency and percentage by using frequency analysis. Moreover, the data obtained were also taken as reference in the discourse analysis which is another method used in the study, and sorted out with the combined pattern. Thereby, answers have been sought for the questions that what TV8 channel which produces cultural industry featuring entertainment as an escape way promises the audience, and how the audience receives these promises. The findings revealed that TV8 which puts an emphasize on entertainment as an escape way with the mission of depoliticization produces discourses of fame, violence, rivalry, gossip, consumption and identity. Key words: Television, TV8, Cultural Industry, Acun Ilicali.