Assimilation and Reassembling in Entertainment and Media Industry

Abstract

Entertainment and Media industry has enriched human life and is indispensable in contemporary society, in which variety shows play an essential role. In terms of contents and types of variety shows, people are constantly exploring and innovating, creating entertaining programs dealing with topical references. Based on the status quo of Chinese variety-show market, this paper provides insight into successful cases of incorporating Chinese unique characteristics into prevailing shows via innovative modes, in pursuit of both commercial and social values. Mixed research methods, including comparative case study, Semi-structured interview and analysis of existing statistics, are employed to explore this topic. We have four interviewees from distinct fields, which helps us to conduct more comprehensive analysis on the innovation modes applied in both cases--- Sisters Who Make Waves and China Poetry Congress, in view of Schumpeter’s classical definition of innovation. We find that new reassembling of traditional components gives the variety shows a cutting edge, reflected in the application of new technology or the destruction of conventional modes. In fact, the essence of both cultural innovation and mode innovation relies on creative assimilation of original elements. Generally, Chinese variety shows are supposed to enhance the production quality and impacts of platforms through content innovation, mode diversification and giving full play to celebrity benefits.