Television fiction series on their websites: analysis of transmedia strategies and active audience participation

Abstract

This paper performs a comparative analysis of the websites of the television series Cuéntame cómo pasó, by RTVE, and Amar es para siempre, broadcast by Antena 3. Both fictions stand out for their historical background, an enriching documentary contribution to their themes and the impact that their broadcast has produced on the audience. By applying a case study methodology and content analysis, the aim is to answer the question about whether these series have been created taking into account the basic principles of transmedia narratives or if they only spread extra content through different formats and screens. One of the objectives is to delve into the importance of audience participation when defining a series as transmedia or not. The results obtained allow us to verify the change that has occurred in the audience of the fiction series, since the fact of resorting to second and third screens after viewing the chapter is causing television networks to produce their television fictions based on strategies transmedia, with different forms of participation by the audience as the narrative universe of each series expands. Among other findings, it can be concluded that the way in which a series manages to expand its narrative universe is through its social networks and through the participation of an active and creative user.