The convergence of Maltese celebrity TV and social media : a case study on the reality show ‘Benjamin’

Abstract

This research aims to examine how Maltese celebrity TV is making use of social media, as well as the outcomes arising from the convergence of television and social media. This is analysed by taking the Maltese reality show, Benjamin, as a case study. The research brings to attention how celebrity culture is taking shape within Maltese society, and how the general public is reacting to it. The methods used to answer my research questions are qualitative, through in-depth interviews, and quantitative, by mainly using an online minisurvey, amongst other quantitative methods. There were, mainly, four uses of social media during Benjamin, namely the uploading of mini clips on Facebook from the show, asking for and responding to audience feedback on Facebook, and determining viewership numbers and the viewers’ types of reactions. One of the outcomes of the convergence of the two platforms, namely traditional and new media, was the presentation of the self in the reality show. However, Ben Camille, the protagonist of the show, refused to be influenced by the audience’s comments on social media. The results of the study suggest that the viewers’ expectation for more controversy, might have been one of the reasons leading to the end of the show. Furthermore, the assessment of the audience’s reaction towards the show, suggested that the majority disliked it due to the presentation of a distorted reality. Both the reality show and social media have blurred the distinction between the protagonist’s private and public life, which sometimes led to adverse consequences, such as hate speech.