Information Requirements and Information Searches Under the Heading of Crossmedial Use and Converging Offerings

Information is one of the essential basic functions of television and represents a central component of the programming responsibilities of public service broadcasting. In view of the current developments, which can be designated by the keywords crossmedia and convergence, it becomes increasingly important to ask what we understand by “information” and “to inform” and how public service providers can address this.

The aim of the expertise was to use theoretical and empirical work from various academic disciplines and current trends in order to offer a conceptual framework for engaging at a fundamental level with the changes in what information is offered, needed and sought. In this process, the extent of systematisation, the elucidation of the relevant lines of development had priority. In addition, well-founded assessments about the offer and use of information in future years were drafted.

The study followed four steps: the first step clarified the concept of information as it is used in various disciplines and practical applications. The second step discussed current shifts in the area of information offers and their possible consequences. The third step considered the findings on the population’s use of information. The fourth step collated the preceding elements and consolidated them into theses about the further development of information offered by the ZDF.