Drexel Grad in London: Global Television Industry
The Drexel Grad in London Global Television Industry program provides students with first-hand experience and an insider's perspective on the symbiotic relationship between the US and UK television industries. In 2022, UK high-end television revenues reached $5.28 billion, with much of the programming commissioned by US networks, studios and streaming services. Television and other video distribution platforms serve significant social, political, economic, and cultural functions and inform and entertain just about everyone on the face of the earth every day.
Through this unique program, students will learn the history of the UK television industry and how these two powerhouse countries have spurred each other forward. Online, the students will view video interviews with UK industry leaders, journalists, artists and academics, conducted exclusively for the course. In addition, there will be an array of readings and other video materials assigned. Students will also follow industry websites closely throughout the course to keep up with the dynamic changes in the business. All students will travel to London for a one-week London component for the course, bringing to life many of the concepts studied online. It is an amazing opportunity to participate in the very global nature of the industry.
Please note, this course will run regardless of the status of the study abroad portion. Content will be adjusted accordingly and will still count as a 3-credit elective for the TVMN Program.
Credit/Registration
TVMN 675 The Global Television Industry is a 3 credit, 10-week online adventure, with a one- week component in London. The course consists of online seminars with industry leaders from the UK, US and around the world.
Spanning the 7th and 8th weeks, students will travel to London for an intensive round of face-to-face seminars and site visits hosted by professionals from the BBC, ITV, CNN, NBC, Sky and other leading media companies. They will share meals and have meetings with journalists, academics, writers and other media professionals, some of whom will have addressed the class during the online portion. It should be noted that there will be a significant amount of walking involved in the London. The trip to London is a required part of the course.
This course will look at the internationalization of the television industry focusing specifically on the US and the UK and the myriad ways they collaborate. Whether it’s selling each other individual shows or adapting formats from one country to the other, there is no question there is a flourishing two-way flow of creativity, innovation and business acumen. There is also significant cross-ownership of networks and studios between the two countries, and we will analyze the benefits and challenges of these symbiotic relationships.
With so much production being bank-rolled by US companies, there are real pressures on the revered system of British public service broadcasting and a challenge to preserve the uniquely British nature of their television culture.
We will analyze the efforts being made toward diversity, equity an inclusion in the UK industry. We will look at the skills shortages that are a result of the incredible boom in UK production and at the long-term impacts of COVID and Brexit. We will look at the arrival of AI, at once being viewed as a miracle technology for creating television or as a seismic threat to the industry workforce.
While focused on television management, the course is open to graduate students from other disciplines. In addition, undergraduate juniors and seniors with a solid academic record and some relevant background may be eligible to participate. Interested undergraduate students should contact Professor Curry. Online classes will begin the week of June 26. The London portion of the course will take place during week 8. Students enrolled in on-campus courses during the summer quarter will need to make arrangements with their instructors for classes that they may miss that week.
Instructor
Karen Curry, (http://www.drexel.edu/westphal/about/directory/CurryKaren/), Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Arrival Date: Saturday, August 10, 2024
(suggested departure: leave USA on August 9th in the evening)
Departure Date: Saturday, August 17, 2023
Tentative Activities and Industry Visits
- Tour of London Sights & Welcome Dinner
- Tour of Buckingham Palace
- Visit Sky Television - News and Entertainment
- Private Tour of Althorp, Princess Diana's Childhood Home
- Visit to NBC News and ITN/Channel 4
Visit to NBC News and ITN/Channel 4
- Attend the Proms at Royal Albert Hall
- Visit the set of a UK television production
.
Optional Add-On Activities (additional fees)
- West End Production
- Production at the Globe Theater
- Tour of the Houses of Parliament
Due March 1 -$500 Advance Payment + $25 application fee
Due May 1 - $1645 Final Payment
*All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
Included in Program Fee:
- Shared accommodation for 7 nights
- Oyster Pass for London transportation
- Welcome and Farewell Dinner
- London bus tour
- Field trip (tentative: outside of London)
- A few additional meals
- several entrance fees to museums
- Itinerary activities (Optional Add-Ons will have additional costs)
Estimated Costs Not Included in Program Fee:
- Airfare: $1,000
- Most meals: $250
- Passport and Visa (if needed): $150
- Optional Add-Ons (varies by option)
- Spending money: $300
- Tuition for T680
ICA Financial Aid: Students may request an Adjusted Cost of Attendance by submitting the ICA program fee and estimated out of pocket expenses listed above to Drexel Central (via askdrexel). Doing so could make students’ eligible for additional financial aid. Students may also be eligible to apply for Drexel's
ICA Scholarships.
- Please contact Karen Curry for more information about the program.
- US Citizens are not required to obtain a visa. Other nationalities should check the United Kingdom Embassy for tourist potential visa requirements.
