Last-Minute fans of Game of Thrones

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29105/gmjmx18.34-9

Keywords:

digital delivery, television viewing, fandom, binge-watching, Game of Thrones

Abstract

We analyzed the practices of Mexican viewers that became fans of Game of Thrones (HBO, 2011-2019) when it was approaching its finale. This series is an example of complex television that creates strong emotional engagement. At the same time, it is prized content of global reach that audiences search and want to watch in full. We applied 10 semi-structured interviews that included three dimensions: (a) personal history with the series, (b) watching as a marathon (binge-watching), and (c) being a fan. The participants reported that the pressure to start watching came from friends, professors and family members, or from the posts they had seen on social network sites. Once they were hooked in Game of Thrones, viewers took part in typical fan practices, like fanart, cosplay and buying merchandise, regardless of the moment they had started watching. We confirmed that the new context of television, characterized by the large availability of content through digital delivery services, allows viewers to catch-up through marathons to quickly become part of television trends.

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Author Biographies

José Alejandro Leyva Alvarado, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco

Egresado de la Licenciatura en Comunicación de la Universidad juárez Autónoma de Tabasco

Elia Margarita Cornelio Marí, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco

Profesora Investigadora de la Licenciatura en Comunicación, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco

M.A. in Media Studies - UT Austin

Dottorato in Comunicazione Tecnologie Societa - Università di Roma "La Sapienza"

Candidata a Investigador Nacional - SNI

 

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Published

2021-07-13

How to Cite

Leyva Alvarado, J. A., & Cornelio Marí, E. M. (2021). Last-Minute fans of Game of Thrones. Global Media Journal México, 18(34), 185–208. https://doi.org/10.29105/gmjmx18.34-9

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 34 (2021): January - June

Section

Articles

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Global Media Journal México, publicación semestral, editada por el Departamento de Psicología y Comunicación de Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas, Estados Unidos; y la Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, México. Editores responsables: Dr. José Carlos Lozano y Dr. Francisco Javier Martínez Garza. Datos de contactos: jose.lozano@tamiu.edu, tel. (956) 326-3117 y francisco.martinezgz@uanl.edu.mx, teléfono (81) 83294000, Ext. 7710 y 7711. Reserva de derechos al uso exclusivo número 04 – 2017- 080814012900- 203, expedido por la Dirección de Reservas de Derechos del Instituto Nacional del Derecho de Autor. ISSN: 2007-2031. El editor no necesariamente comparte el contenido de los artículos, ya que son responsabilidad exclusiva de los autores. Se prohíbe la reproducción total o parcial del contenido, ilustraciones y textos publicados en este número sin la previa autorización que por escrito emita el editor.