Studying the reception of transmedia TV fiction: an online TV diary research design

The convergence of television and the Internet requires an expanded notion of the modern TV text. This implicates that a broader approach to map audience engagement is needed. In order to do an in-depth study of contemporary TV fiction viewing practices we developed a research design with online TV diaries combined with online follow up and in-depth interviews. Respondents log on to their diary and answer questions about which show they watched, how they watched, which extras they accessed, whether they talked about the show, etc. Using this "pattern TV diary" we can reconstruct respondents' TV series behaviour across platforms and delivery channels. With online follow up and in-depth interviews we get insight in how viewers develop a relationship with a programme through their use, or non-use, of the various initiatives that allow them to deepen or expand their interaction with it.