Vox, a general interest news site, has created a video that is sure to attract a lot of eyeballs: Shark Week Debunked. Launched back in 1988, this week of shark information has never been more popular. Yet Shark Week Debunked shows that the educational program has morphed into more of a series of reality television shows instead of the original documentaries that were aired.
Sensationalizing the information and dramatizing the truths, Shark Week Debunked brings awareness to the fact that the producers behind the shows have opted to make them more entertaining than educational. A slave to numbers like many other televised productions, it is not surprising that this is the case. Yet it is disappointing for those who are looking to understand these creatures on a deeper level and not the superficial one being presented today.
Exposed Educational Shows
Shark Week Debunked by Vox Reveals a Series of Dramatized Truths
Trend Themes
1. Entertainment-focused Education - Educational content is now being tailored towards an entertaining model instead of a traditional one.
2. Factual Dramatization - Factual content is being dramatized to be more engaging to viewers.
3. Alternative Documentary - Alternative documentaries which focus on the actual data are becoming popular.
Industry Implications
1. Media and Broadcast - Media companies could focus on educational television without dramatic or exaggerated content.
2. Online Learning - Online learning platforms can focus on a direct education model with zero sensationalism.
3. Video Content Providers - Video content providers could increase their market share by providing educational content consisting of alternative documentaries.