New and Digital Media Stories: Week 9

Article from The Guardian : "How to use Twitter to tell the best stories about your Council"

The article addresses the ways in audiences can use social networking sites such as 'Twitter' to release news stories in relation to those in authority. The example that they use in the article is the local council and how in November 2012 the #Walsall24 was a story that went viral through the hashtagging element on Twitter. The hashtag provided audiences with snapshots and clips about what the council were doing. This became the first Local Government Association #Our Day, which was digitally celebrating the local public services.

In my opinion, I think it is noteworthy to see the ways that audiences are able to use new and digital media platforms such as 'Twitter' to find out and inform others about what is going on within their local area and cities. It is essentially a form of citizen journalism that we are all able to be part of. 

Article from The Guardian : "Sky Launches new set-top box to take on Netflix and Apple"

This article is about the new revolution in which Sky have unleashed which is a new premium set-top box and "best of the web" streaming service, which is said to attract new viewers who would usually use TV services such as Amazon, Apple and Netflix. Sky say that this new service called Sky Q, is arguably the "biggest product innovation" since it launched the Sky+ box back in 2001. Sky Q will launch next year and allow viewers to watch shows on up to five different screens and has five times the amount of programme storage capacity of its current set-top box. It additionally allows audiences to access to "best of the web" services such as YouTube and music service Vevo,  Facebook, Vanity Fair and Vogue. The new service even has reinvented the remote control with a touch pad to allow and swipe movements, similar to Apple TV's. 

In my opinion, I think that it about time Sky pulled something out of the bag to compete with the newer streaming services, such as Netflix, who have successfully managed to capture a wide cross section of the public today. This innovation should hopefully add to Sky's success and be an exciting addition for audiences to bring into their homes.