What is the industries framework in AQA A-Level Media Studies?

Media industries is one of the four areas of the theoretical framework. It studies how media products are owned, funded, produced, distributed and regulated, and how these economic and political contexts shape what is made. Key ideas include conglomerate ownership, vertical and horizontal integration, concentration of ownership, the profit motive, convergence, public service broadcasting and regulation. You apply these to set products and the conditions in which they were created.

Who are the set theorists for media industries?

AQA names Curran and Seaton and David Hesmondhalgh for industries. Curran and Seaton argue that media power is concentrated in a few profit-driven companies, narrowing the range of voices, though new technology may increase diversity. Hesmondhalgh argues that the cultural industries are risky, so companies manage risk through integration, concentration, formatting with stars and franchises, and large catalogues. You must know each by name and apply them to set products.

What is the difference between vertical and horizontal integration?

Vertical integration means owning more than one stage of the supply chain, such as a studio that produces, distributes and exhibits its own films, capturing profit at every stage. Horizontal integration means owning several companies at the same stage or in related markets, such as one company owning several newspapers or studios. Both increase market share and, when combined across the industry, lead to concentration of ownership.

What is public service broadcasting and how is the BBC funded?

Public service broadcasting serves the public interest rather than purely commercial goals, with a remit to inform, educate and entertain. In the UK the BBC is the main public service broadcaster, funded largely by the licence fee rather than advertising, which is intended to keep it independent and universally available. PSB is debated: supporters value its quality and plurality, while critics question the licence fee and PSB's future against global streaming services.

How are media industries regulated in the UK?

Ofcom is the statutory regulator for broadcasting and telecoms, the BBFC classifies films and gives age ratings such as U, PG, 12, 15 and 18, and IPSO handles most press complaints as a form of self-regulation. Statutory regulation is backed by law; self-regulation is run by the industry itself and is often seen as weaker. Regulation balances protecting audiences against freedom of expression, and online and global media make it harder to enforce.

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AQA A-Level Media Studies industries: a complete overview of ownership, regulation, PSB and the set theorists

A deep-dive AQA A-Level Media Studies guide to the industries framework. Covers ownership and integration, the profit motive, the set theorists Curran and Seaton and Hesmondhalgh, public service broadcasting and the BBC, production, distribution and circulation, convergence, and regulation including the BBFC and Ofcom.

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What the industries framework actually demands
Ownership and integration
The set theorists: Curran and Seaton and Hesmondhalgh
Public service broadcasting
Production, distribution and circulation
Regulation
How the industries framework is examined
Check your knowledge

What the industries framework actually demands

Media industries is the third area of the AQA theoretical framework. It studies the economic and political contexts in which products are made: who owns the media, how products are funded and distributed, and how they are regulated. The examiners test precise recall of concepts and named theorists, and the ability to apply them to set products and the conditions of their production.

This guide walks through the five topics of the framework, then sets out the exam patterns AQA repeats. Each topic has a matching dot-point page with practice questions; this overview ties them together.

Ownership and integration

Most large media is owned by a few conglomerates. Vertical integration is owning stages of the supply chain (production, distribution, exhibition); horizontal integration is owning companies at the same stage. These patterns lead to a concentration of ownership, driven by the profit motive, which favours franchises, synergy and proven formats and raises concerns about plurality.

The set theorists: Curran and Seaton and Hesmondhalgh

Curran and Seaton argue that media power is concentrated in a few profit-driven companies, which narrows the range of voices, though they note new technology may open up diversity. Hesmondhalgh argues the cultural industries are risky, so companies manage risk through integration, concentration, formatting (stars, genres, franchises) and large catalogues.

Public service broadcasting

PSB serves the public interest, with a remit to inform, educate and entertain. The BBC is the UK's main public service broadcaster, funded by the licence fee to keep it independent and universal. PSB is debated: supporters value quality and plurality, while critics question the licence fee and PSB's future against commercial streaming.

Production, distribution and circulation

Products move through production, distribution (getting to audiences) and circulation (how they spread). Marketing is central because the industry is risky. Convergence and digital technology have transformed all three stages, with online global distribution and audiences who now share and create content.

Regulation

Ofcom regulates broadcasting, the BBFC classifies film with age ratings (U, PG, 12, 15, 18), and IPSO handles most press complaints. Statutory regulation is backed by law; self-regulation is run by the industry. Regulation balances protecting audiences against freedom of expression, and online media make it harder.

How the industries framework is examined

A typical AQA profile for industries:

Applied questions. Explaining how ownership, funding or regulation shaped a set product.
Set theorist application. Applying Curran and Seaton or Hesmondhalgh by name.
Evaluation. Weighing the arguments for and against the licence fee or regulation.
Extended answers. Discussing how convergence and digital technology have changed industries.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall and application questions covering the industries framework. Attempt them under timed conditions, then check against the solutions.

Distinguish between vertical and horizontal integration. (4 marks)
Give two reasons why media industries are regulated. (2 marks)
Explain Curran and Seaton's argument about ownership and power. (3 marks)
According to Hesmondhalgh, how do companies manage risk? (3 marks)
State the traditional remit of public service broadcasting. (3 marks)
Explain one argument for and one against the BBC licence fee. (4 marks)
Distinguish between distribution and circulation. (3 marks)
Name the UK regulator for broadcasting, film and the press. (3 marks)

Solutions

Q1: Vertical integration is owning more than one stage of the supply chain, such as a studio that produces, distributes and exhibits its own films. Horizontal integration is owning several companies at the same stage, such as one company owning several newspapers, to spread risk and increase market share.
Q2: To protect audiences and maintain standards (such as protecting children or ensuring accuracy), and to limit the power of concentrated ownership and protect plurality.
Q3: Curran and Seaton argue media power is concentrated in a few profit-driven companies, which narrows the range of opinions and limits quality, although new technologies and patterns of ownership may also create opportunities for greater diversity.
Q4: Hesmondhalgh argues companies manage the risk of the cultural industries through vertical and horizontal integration, concentration of ownership, formatting (relying on stars, genres and franchises), and building large catalogues so hits cover the failures.
Q5: The traditional remit is to inform, educate and entertain, serving the whole public interest with universally available, high-quality programming rather than maximising profit.
Q6: For: the licence fee keeps the BBC independent of advertisers and provides universal, high-quality programming. Against: it is a compulsory charge that seems unfair as audiences increasingly use streaming services rather than the BBC.
Q7: Distribution is the set of processes that move a finished product to its audience, including release strategy and platforms. Circulation is how the product then spreads and is consumed, including sharing and word of mouth.
Q8: Broadcasting is regulated by Ofcom, film classification by the BBFC, and most of the press by IPSO as a form of self-regulation.

Sources & how we know this

AQA A-level Media Studies (7572) specification — AQA (2017)