Taking a break from NFL playoff articles and such, I’m taking a step back and bringing some personal touches back to First & Jenn. As you may know, I’m currently in graduate school. But for those who don’t know me, allow me to give a brief introduction.
What is This?
My name is Jenn McGraw. I’m currently studying for my Masters in Television Studies and am in my final semester of my degree. This semester, I’ll be taking a thesis course where I’ll spend 15 weeks researching and putting together a thesis on television studies. This will be 10,000 words and the idea is 100% up to me. So, in true Jenn fashion, I’ll be doing my thesis on NFL media.
My thesis will be called “From Primetime to Screen Time: The Evolution of NFL Media Through Generational Lenses and the Impact of Television’s Evolution on Fan Engagement.”
This thesis will explore how NFL media has evolved to meet the demands of generational shifts in television consumption and fan engagement. Through analyzing key programs, tech innovations and audience-targeted strategies, this study will examine how the NFL balances traditional broadcasting formats with emerging platforms to attract diverse demographics, focusing on television’s evolving role in shaping the cultural narrative of the league. The analysis will include discussions of gender representation, the treatment of cheerleaders, health issues, and how these themes interact with marketing efforts and audience segmentation.
Research Questions
- How has the evolution of television shaped the way the NFL engages with generational audiences?
- In what ways does NFL media reflect or challenge American cultural shifts?
- How do emerging television technologies and streaming platforms complement or compete with traditional NFL broadcasts?
- How has NFL programming evolved to cater to generational preferences?
- What role does gender representation play in NFL media, and how has it evolved?
- How does the NFL balance traditional television with new media?
- How do NFL programs reflect or resist broader cultural change?
Research Significance
This research is crucial for understanding television’s efficacy and relevancy in the digital age. Looking at the intersection of sports, media, and generational marketing allows us to see how the NFL shapes societal values, making it a valuable case study for analyzing media evolution. My research combines theories from media representation, cultural studies, and audience engagement. This fills a gap in scholarly work by focusing on NFL programming as a tool for storytelling and cultural engagement. It explores how NFL programming evolves to appeal to changing generational and societal demands. Having a unique focus on the NFL’s adaptation to technological, cultural, and generational shifts is interesting to learn about how second-screen experiences can fit into traditional media. On a broader scale, this research offers insights into trends in sports media and audience behavior. This provides a framework for analyzing other entertainment industries’ responses to technological and cultural changes. The research contributes to the understanding of the media’s role in shaping and reflecting society.
Goals
I hope to get a lot out of working on this project. First, I want to challenge myself to make this a memorable thesis. I don’t care to make it the best, most well-written thing in the world (although I want a good grade of course) but I do want it to be remembered. I also want to use what I learn throughout this process for when I apply for jobs. I think it’s very important for me as a sports journalist to know how to sell my media outlet, and part of knowing how to sell is knowing your audience. Through my research, I feel like I’ll be learning a little bit more about each generation in terms of NFL viewership and fan engagement.
Follow along with my thesis journey with two blog posts a month on my progress.
First & Jenn 
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