The difference between crossmedia and transmedia
Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 4:55 am
Transmedia is not crossmedia
Although transmedia storytelling may seem to have much in common with crossmedia at first glance, it is important to realize that transmedia and crossmedia are not the same. Although both forms of storytelling use different channels, they are fundamentally different.
In a cross-media story, the exact same story is told through different channels. The only adjustments kuwait telegram data made to the story are those necessary to comply with the rules of the medium. In a transmedia story, on the other hand, each channel tells its own unique part of the story.
The film Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts is a textbook example of crossmedia. It is a film version of the novel of the same name by Elizabeth Gilbert. The same story in a different form. No new storylines have been added.
Transmedia storytelling: the medium of secondary importance
In a transmedia story, the platform used to tell the story is of secondary importance. For true transmedia story worlds, the often strict boundaries between the different media channels must be crossed and sometimes even broken down.
A good example of this are cooking shows and sports events. At first glance, they are 'just' television formats, but in fact they are social rituals. Although a sports or cooking show is not as intellectually sound as a broadcast of Noorderlicht or Buitenhof , these programs offer a great insight into how TV formats (in fact storylines) can cross genre and platform boundaries.
Involved in the storyline
Cooking shows like MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen have in common that they evoke a certain level of involvement from the people who consume these storylines. When a new episode of MasterChef is broadcast, people express their support for their favorite contestants via Twitter or Facebook and share their disappointment when, in their opinion, a contestant is unfairly sent home. They create their own fan sites and visit the official website of the show for exclusive content (and therefore: storylines).
Although transmedia storytelling may seem to have much in common with crossmedia at first glance, it is important to realize that transmedia and crossmedia are not the same. Although both forms of storytelling use different channels, they are fundamentally different.
In a cross-media story, the exact same story is told through different channels. The only adjustments kuwait telegram data made to the story are those necessary to comply with the rules of the medium. In a transmedia story, on the other hand, each channel tells its own unique part of the story.
The film Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts is a textbook example of crossmedia. It is a film version of the novel of the same name by Elizabeth Gilbert. The same story in a different form. No new storylines have been added.
Transmedia storytelling: the medium of secondary importance
In a transmedia story, the platform used to tell the story is of secondary importance. For true transmedia story worlds, the often strict boundaries between the different media channels must be crossed and sometimes even broken down.
A good example of this are cooking shows and sports events. At first glance, they are 'just' television formats, but in fact they are social rituals. Although a sports or cooking show is not as intellectually sound as a broadcast of Noorderlicht or Buitenhof , these programs offer a great insight into how TV formats (in fact storylines) can cross genre and platform boundaries.
Involved in the storyline
Cooking shows like MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen have in common that they evoke a certain level of involvement from the people who consume these storylines. When a new episode of MasterChef is broadcast, people express their support for their favorite contestants via Twitter or Facebook and share their disappointment when, in their opinion, a contestant is unfairly sent home. They create their own fan sites and visit the official website of the show for exclusive content (and therefore: storylines).