What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the construction of cult TV? How is new media central to this?

What role does Hills (2004) suggest the fans play in the construction of cult TV? How is new media central to this?

Cult TV can be defined as a group of texts, often hailing from the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Cult TV is constructed through inter-textuality. This is very important point to understand between the relationship of fans and cult TV. In cult TV, secondary texts or inter-texts play a significant role in providing additional information about the cult TV programme. Thus, fans role have occupied more powerful thing in cult TV. Fans play not just watching TV, but they can reflect their own opinion and create own genre for cult TV. In other words, fans are important role in cult TV. That is, cult TV`s fans are not passive people unlike the other genres. They take an active role in cult TV, because through secondary texts that activates the meanings and associations of cult TV for audiences. Cult status also arises through an audience’s passion for cult TV. Thus, cult TV has become centrally significant to cult fans identities and lifestyle.

About the role of fans in the construction of cult TV, Hills (2004) asserts that “'grassroots' phenomenon, assuming that it is created by fans rather than by media producers" (p.510).

It means that cult TV can`t be developed or promoted by only producers, but by the effort and dedication of fans cult TV can evolve in succession. However, being a fans of cult TV doesn`t mean only having devotion and enthusiasm. It means that, at least, “being able to attempt to account for and defend one`s fans passions; being able to analyse and critically appreciate one`s favoured text; and attempting to ward off negative portrayals of fan cultures” (Hiils, 2004, p. 517).    

Moreover, Hills (2004) states that the fans role of cult TV assemble one another for conventions, where they exchange a matter of common interest about their cult TV. This communication creates a communal distinctiveness, working to knit together and sustain a fan culture through these annual events.

References

Hills, M. (2004). Defining Cult TV; Texts, Inter-texts and Fan Audiences, The Television Studies Reader, in R. C. Allen & A. Hill. London and New York: Routledge.