Media consumption across platforms: Identifying user-defined repertoires

TLDR

New media offer many platforms and content choices, yet audiences narrow their selections into defined repertoires, and little is known about how users construct these repertoires across platforms. The study aims to identify user‑defined media repertoires by applying factor analysis to data collected from 495 users observed over a full day. The authors employed factor analysis on longitudinal data gathered from 495 users tracked continuously for 24 hours. Four distinct repertoires were identified, strongly linked to daily life rhythms and explained by factors including audience availability and individual demographics.

Abstract

New media have made available a wide range of platforms and content choices. However, audiences cope with abundant choices by using more narrowly defined repertoires. Unfortunately, we know little of how users create repertoires across media platforms. This study uses factor analysis to identify user-defined repertoires from data obtained by following 495 users throughout an entire day. Results indicate the presence of four repertoires that are powerfully tied to the rhythms of people’s daily lives. These were in turn explained by a combination of factors such as audience availability and individual demographics.