Themes of connection and progress in rural television: New Zealand’s Country Calendar 1990–2015
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Date
2020-02
Open Access Location
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Publisher
SAGE Publications
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Abstract
Airing for over 50 years, New Zealand’s Country Calendar (CC) television show tells the stories of those who live and work on the land. This article presents a thematic analysis of 25 years of programme content, identifying a balance of ‘connection’ and ‘progress’ themes across this time frame, linked to the political economy of NZ broadcasting and agriculture. The concept of the rural idyll helps explain the connection theme’s focus on family, community, a passion or dream, and history and tradition. However, CC’s version of the rural idyll goes beyond nostalgia and the expression of shared social ideals to include the practical, day-to-day ‘work’ of contemporary farming. Ultimately, CC’s content is shaped by the broadcasting and agricultural policies and structures which impact its funding, subjects and socio-economic environment.
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CAUL read and publish agreement 2023
Keywords
agriculture, New Zealand television, political economy, rural idyll, thematic analysis
Citation
MEDIA INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA, 2020, 174 (1), pp. 109 - 124