Minority representation in the streaming era: An analysis of Jewish identity in competing subscription video on-demand platforms

Abstract

This article considers how three competing subscription video on-demand services (SVODs) – Jewzy, ChaiFlicks, and IZZY – attract American Jewish subscribers via content selection, platform design, and marketing rhetoric. Although these three SVODs offer similar catalogs, they nonetheless foreground distinct elements of Jewish life, history, and practice. This process of commercial framing, the paper argues, creates unique brand identities for the three services that align with three different approaches to the construction of American Jewish identity. The article goes on to show that these SVODs offer an opportunity to revisit core assumptions embedded within Jewish screen studies and minority screen representation studies more broadly. Minority identity on screen is most often studied through the interpretation of key instances of minority representation. These SVODs instead emphasize the dynamics of interpellation, as they hail viewers by appealing to limited, pre-constructed concepts of cultural identity while offering entire platforms worth of representations.

Are Audience Preferences for Electronic Cinema Affected by Preferences in Indonesian Movie Choices?

“…This shows that perceptions and preferences towards cinema shows and general preferences for film shows contribute to influencing the relationship between perceptions and preferences for electronic (OTT) shows and perceptions and preferences towards Indonesian films. Similar to what happened to the finding in other countries, OTT brings the diversity of movie preferences to mainstream cinema (Eklund, 2022;Giannakodimos et al, 2022;Gómez & Muñoz Larroa, 2023;González-de-Garay et al, 2023;Green, 2023;Ildir & Celik Rappas, 2022;Nam et al, 2023;Sienkiewicz & L. Wayne, 2023).…”

“…This has resulted in the establishment of a vibrant and linked worldwide cinematic community. With the growing prevalence of electronic cinema as a favoured method of movie distribution, it is becoming increasingly important to comprehend the aspects that influence audience choices within this ever-changing cinematic environment (Giannakodimos et al, 2022;González-de-Garay et al, 2023;Sienkiewicz & L. Wayne, 2023). The objective of this study is to examine the complex correlation between audience preferences for electronic cinema and their selection of Indonesian films, with the intention of providing insights into the possible impact of local movie preferences on wider patterns of digital movie consumption.…”

“…The notion of electronic cinema signifies a fundamental transformation in the way films are distributed and consumed, surpassing conventional limitations related to time and physical location (Gómez & Muñoz Larroa, 2023;Ildir & Celik Rappas, 2022;Nam et al, 2023). The advent of easily accessible films has granted spectators the ability to customise their movie selections according to personal interests and cultural inclinations (Gómez & Muñoz Larroa, 2023;Ildir & Celik Rappas, 2022;Sienkiewicz & L. Wayne, 2023). Through an examination of the degree to which the preferences of Indonesian moviegoers impact their choices in electronic cinema, a deeper understanding may be obtained regarding the interplay between local cultural identity and the globalised digital film industry.…”

“…The study's significance transcends the boundaries of Indonesia, as electronic cinema has revolutionised movie consumption worldwide (Eklund, 2022;Fung & Chik, 2022;Green, 2023). The advent of streaming services, Video-on-Demand (VoD) platforms, and digital distribution methods has significantly expanded the global accessibility of films, enabling foreign filmmakers to engage with varied cultural communities (Fung & Chik, 2022;Gonzálezde-Garay et al, 2023;Nam et al, 2023;Sienkiewicz & L. Wayne, 2023). Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the various aspects that influence audience preferences in relation to Indonesian film selections has the potential to provide valuable strategic insights for filmmakers aiming to enter the Indonesian market and appeal to culturally varied audiences globally.…”