Datacasting: TikTok’s Algorithmic Flow as Televisual Experience

Recommendation algorithms have acquired a central role in the suggestion of content within both subscription video on demand (SVOD) and advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) services and media-sharing platforms. In this article, we suggest the introduction of the datacasting paradigm, which takes...

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Main Authors: Ellenrose Firth, Alberto Marinelli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cogitatio 2025-02-01
Series:Media and Communication
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Online Access:https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/9392
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author Ellenrose Firth
Alberto Marinelli
author_facet Ellenrose Firth
Alberto Marinelli
author_sort Ellenrose Firth
collection DOAJ
description Recommendation algorithms have acquired a central role in the suggestion of content within both subscription video on demand (SVOD) and advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) services and media-sharing platforms. In this article, we suggest the introduction of the datacasting paradigm, which takes into account the increasing relevance algorithms have in selection processes on audiovisual platforms. We use TikTok as a case study as it is an entirely algorithmic platform, and therefore embodies the heart of our discussion, and analyse how the algorithmic flow within the platform influences user experience, the impact it has on the enjoyment of content, and whether the platform can be considered televisual. We have opted to frame TikTok within debates on flow, as we believe that is what is at the core of the platform experience. Through the analysis of in-depth interviews, we extracted two main categories of responses: TV on TikTok and TikTok as TV. The former includes all responses related to the consumption of traditional televisual material on the platform, while the latter looks at all potential connections between the platform and television viewing habits.
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spelling doaj-art-3d7ee2feb38a4592998c976fef342d8e2025-08-20T03:10:40ZengCogitatioMedia and Communication2183-24392025-02-0113010.17645/mac.93924046Datacasting: TikTok’s Algorithmic Flow as Televisual ExperienceEllenrose Firth0Alberto Marinelli1Department of Communication and Social Research, Sapienza University of Rome, ItalyDepartment of Communication and Social Research, Sapienza University of Rome, ItalyRecommendation algorithms have acquired a central role in the suggestion of content within both subscription video on demand (SVOD) and advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) services and media-sharing platforms. In this article, we suggest the introduction of the datacasting paradigm, which takes into account the increasing relevance algorithms have in selection processes on audiovisual platforms. We use TikTok as a case study as it is an entirely algorithmic platform, and therefore embodies the heart of our discussion, and analyse how the algorithmic flow within the platform influences user experience, the impact it has on the enjoyment of content, and whether the platform can be considered televisual. We have opted to frame TikTok within debates on flow, as we believe that is what is at the core of the platform experience. Through the analysis of in-depth interviews, we extracted two main categories of responses: TV on TikTok and TikTok as TV. The former includes all responses related to the consumption of traditional televisual material on the platform, while the latter looks at all potential connections between the platform and television viewing habits.https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/9392algorithmic flowdatacastingmedia-sharing platformson-demand platformstelevisualitytiktok
spellingShingle Ellenrose Firth
Alberto Marinelli
Datacasting: TikTok’s Algorithmic Flow as Televisual Experience
Media and Communication
algorithmic flow
datacasting
media-sharing platforms
on-demand platforms
televisuality
tiktok
title Datacasting: TikTok’s Algorithmic Flow as Televisual Experience
title_full Datacasting: TikTok’s Algorithmic Flow as Televisual Experience
title_fullStr Datacasting: TikTok’s Algorithmic Flow as Televisual Experience
title_full_unstemmed Datacasting: TikTok’s Algorithmic Flow as Televisual Experience
title_short Datacasting: TikTok’s Algorithmic Flow as Televisual Experience
title_sort datacasting tiktok s algorithmic flow as televisual experience
topic algorithmic flow
datacasting
media-sharing platforms
on-demand platforms
televisuality
tiktok
url https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/9392
work_keys_str_mv AT ellenrosefirth datacastingtiktoksalgorithmicflowastelevisualexperience
AT albertomarinelli datacastingtiktoksalgorithmicflowastelevisualexperience