Convergence as a word is an abstract noun derived from the verb converge which means to come from different directions and meet at the same point to become one thing.
This convergence has been in operation for the past ten years of it operation in technologically rich societies who have entered the digital age which is being adopted sparingly in Nigeria.
This is without its opportunities and threat to media Houses.
The adoption of high performance computer, shift to digital from predominantly mainframe programming analogue, this involves heavy capitalization procuring high performance computers ,shift to digital platforms and creation of high speed computer brought us new ways of doing things . Old barriers of time and space are practically eliminated. You can view virtually anything .anywhere,anytime
The old definition that provided separation between radio. television .cable and films have gone or are going that is what convergence is all about fusion of various components that is concurrently relevant into one to achieve same objective or purpose in a wider more accessible and acceptable way. This view is prominent in the studies of Bowles and Borden who looked at convergence as the merging of technologies of communications such as using cable television for internet or accessing television news broadcast on home computer,listening to radio or watching television broadcast on your mobile phone.
They also posit that convergence may also be seen as the merger of media companies into conglomerates such as the merger of television networks with radio networks, newspaper chains , and cable television companies. Or it could also be the mergers of telephone companies with broadcast media companies or newspaper chains.
For the purpose of this discus we shall examine the three definitions of the term convergence as provided by Kung,Picard and Towse[2008:36~37]
The first definition views convergence from technological point of view
The second is product related while the third is sector-focused
These definition highlighted above is more favored by the media industry and it is revered to as the 3-C model of convergence.
It is also important and relevant to this discussion to view the identification of seven types of convergence by Berger[2008:168] this will help us to view the level of convergence in our chosen media house.
The following type of convergence were identified
1.Corporate convergence[as in joint ventures] between telecom and media companies
If we view the above we shall notice that this type of merging is in practice between some companies in Nigeria , for example Dangote group of companies
Ait\Ray power and Daar communication effectively merging radio and television together using the 3G telephony in collaboration with the existing telecommunication companies this made it possible for AIT to be viewed in US and Uk via satellite and cable. There is also a massive convergence of this sort in the telecommunication companies who due to the sophisticated gadget provided by 21st century a communication company enjoy a mutual symbiotic relationships between 21st century,siemens, mtn,zain and others some are dependent on Nitel\mtel for signal
The second is the branching out of a traditional print operation into internet publishing or audio or mobile
This has been massively adopted by most media houses with Punch and The Nation taking the lead
3.Reverse publishing from web into print
This is also is being utilized but for the inefficiency of the internet facilities and the occurring costs involved
4.Production processes, where content is coordinated or shared
This is more effective in business conglomerate with joint ownership for example the Punch and associated companies and the defunct Daily times of Nigeria
5.Convergence of skills set of previously segregated specialist media practitioners whether reporter,news editor,or production personnel
6.Convergence of media consumer devices eg the camera-cell phone or computers being used to watch video broadcast and
7.The coming together of producer and consumer functions-the audience generating media[content]
It is obvious from above as stated earlier that while these is a shift from the old definition brought separating between Radio,TV,cable and film in Nigeria, the 1990s brought ownership convergence in the western world creating media conglomerates like Disney,Via com,and sony. From the consumer view, the internet has recently changed our favorite delivery system, newspaper now provide video,TV offers interactive chat,and radio has web-cams.
Most television stations and newspaper remains as print or electronic media the country is yet to witness appreciable measures of mergers between electronic ,telecom or between newspaper and electronic companies or with internet companies such as AOL and Time magazine in the USA
Of significance in convergence as it relates to the second convergence model of branching out of traditional print operation into internet publishing or audio \video or mobile is the. One more prevalent in the Nigeria media landscape
It is also noteworthy to mention the Channels Television who has pioneered the viewing of its programmes on ipod,phones,blackberry this conform with the second and the sixth model of convergence in the media by Berger
The contributions of few individual scholars in seeking for integration and projecting on line journalism if this trend continues and is sustained by creating an enabling environment with cheaper access to multimedia tools the media will witness an upsurge in merger due to convergence.
This convergence has been in operation for the past ten years of it operation in technologically rich societies who have entered the digital age which is being adopted sparingly in Nigeria.
This is without its opportunities and threat to media Houses.
The adoption of high performance computer, shift to digital from predominantly mainframe programming analogue, this involves heavy capitalization procuring high performance computers ,shift to digital platforms and creation of high speed computer brought us new ways of doing things . Old barriers of time and space are practically eliminated. You can view virtually anything .anywhere,anytime
The old definition that provided separation between radio. television .cable and films have gone or are going that is what convergence is all about fusion of various components that is concurrently relevant into one to achieve same objective or purpose in a wider more accessible and acceptable way. This view is prominent in the studies of Bowles and Borden who looked at convergence as the merging of technologies of communications such as using cable television for internet or accessing television news broadcast on home computer,listening to radio or watching television broadcast on your mobile phone.
They also posit that convergence may also be seen as the merger of media companies into conglomerates such as the merger of television networks with radio networks, newspaper chains , and cable television companies. Or it could also be the mergers of telephone companies with broadcast media companies or newspaper chains.
For the purpose of this discus we shall examine the three definitions of the term convergence as provided by Kung,Picard and Towse[2008:36~37]
The first definition views convergence from technological point of view
The second is product related while the third is sector-focused
These definition highlighted above is more favored by the media industry and it is revered to as the 3-C model of convergence.
It is also important and relevant to this discussion to view the identification of seven types of convergence by Berger[2008:168] this will help us to view the level of convergence in our chosen media house.
The following type of convergence were identified
1.Corporate convergence[as in joint ventures] between telecom and media companies
If we view the above we shall notice that this type of merging is in practice between some companies in Nigeria , for example Dangote group of companies
Ait\Ray power and Daar communication effectively merging radio and television together using the 3G telephony in collaboration with the existing telecommunication companies this made it possible for AIT to be viewed in US and Uk via satellite and cable. There is also a massive convergence of this sort in the telecommunication companies who due to the sophisticated gadget provided by 21st century a communication company enjoy a mutual symbiotic relationships between 21st century,siemens, mtn,zain and others some are dependent on Nitel\mtel for signal
The second is the branching out of a traditional print operation into internet publishing or audio or mobile
This has been massively adopted by most media houses with Punch and The Nation taking the lead
3.Reverse publishing from web into print
This is also is being utilized but for the inefficiency of the internet facilities and the occurring costs involved
4.Production processes, where content is coordinated or shared
This is more effective in business conglomerate with joint ownership for example the Punch and associated companies and the defunct Daily times of Nigeria
5.Convergence of skills set of previously segregated specialist media practitioners whether reporter,news editor,or production personnel
6.Convergence of media consumer devices eg the camera-cell phone or computers being used to watch video broadcast and
7.The coming together of producer and consumer functions-the audience generating media[content]
It is obvious from above as stated earlier that while these is a shift from the old definition brought separating between Radio,TV,cable and film in Nigeria, the 1990s brought ownership convergence in the western world creating media conglomerates like Disney,Via com,and sony. From the consumer view, the internet has recently changed our favorite delivery system, newspaper now provide video,TV offers interactive chat,and radio has web-cams.
Most television stations and newspaper remains as print or electronic media the country is yet to witness appreciable measures of mergers between electronic ,telecom or between newspaper and electronic companies or with internet companies such as AOL and Time magazine in the USA
Of significance in convergence as it relates to the second convergence model of branching out of traditional print operation into internet publishing or audio \video or mobile is the. One more prevalent in the Nigeria media landscape
It is also noteworthy to mention the Channels Television who has pioneered the viewing of its programmes on ipod,phones,blackberry this conform with the second and the sixth model of convergence in the media by Berger
The contributions of few individual scholars in seeking for integration and projecting on line journalism if this trend continues and is sustained by creating an enabling environment with cheaper access to multimedia tools the media will witness an upsurge in merger due to convergence.
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