Here We Go Again

In 2005, Matt Hills posed the question 'What does it mean to be a fan?' introducing the concept of the 'cyclical fan' – and individual who masters something new, then moves to another fan object. As technological advancements, such as streaming services, continue to reshape tel...

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Main Author: Kate Ngai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Deakin University 2025-01-01
Series:Persona Studies
Online Access:https://ojs.deakin.edu.au/index.php/ps/article/view/2065
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author Kate Ngai
author_facet Kate Ngai
author_sort Kate Ngai
collection DOAJ
description In 2005, Matt Hills posed the question 'What does it mean to be a fan?' introducing the concept of the 'cyclical fan' – and individual who masters something new, then moves to another fan object. As technological advancements, such as streaming services, continue to reshape television, research on television viewing culture must adapt accordingly. This article examines how individuals engage with scripted television programmes, focusing on fan behaviours associated with their fan objects. It explores the habits of long-term, cyclical, and moderate fans, analysing their identity formation and behaviour intensity. The study proposes a shift from the concept of 'cyclical fan' to the more encompassing 'cyclical fan behaviours'. Through surveys and focus groups, this research bridges fan studies and persona studies by examining television viewing habits and fan behaviours within the framework of persona studies. Key findings include the impact evolving technology has on cyclical fan behaviours and the dichotomy of fan identification. This interdisciplinary approach offers new insights into both cyclical and persona studies contributing to our understanding of contemporary fan practices in the evolving media landscape.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Deakin University
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series Persona Studies
spelling doaj-art-a98871ea317445e5856ade41f11ab7cf2025-02-02T06:01:34ZengDeakin UniversityPersona Studies2205-52582025-01-0110210.21153/psj2024vol10no2art2065Here We Go AgainKate Ngai0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5962-8594Glasgow Caledonian University In 2005, Matt Hills posed the question 'What does it mean to be a fan?' introducing the concept of the 'cyclical fan' – and individual who masters something new, then moves to another fan object. As technological advancements, such as streaming services, continue to reshape television, research on television viewing culture must adapt accordingly. This article examines how individuals engage with scripted television programmes, focusing on fan behaviours associated with their fan objects. It explores the habits of long-term, cyclical, and moderate fans, analysing their identity formation and behaviour intensity. The study proposes a shift from the concept of 'cyclical fan' to the more encompassing 'cyclical fan behaviours'. Through surveys and focus groups, this research bridges fan studies and persona studies by examining television viewing habits and fan behaviours within the framework of persona studies. Key findings include the impact evolving technology has on cyclical fan behaviours and the dichotomy of fan identification. This interdisciplinary approach offers new insights into both cyclical and persona studies contributing to our understanding of contemporary fan practices in the evolving media landscape. https://ojs.deakin.edu.au/index.php/ps/article/view/2065
spellingShingle Kate Ngai
Here We Go Again
Persona Studies
title Here We Go Again
title_full Here We Go Again
title_fullStr Here We Go Again
title_full_unstemmed Here We Go Again
title_short Here We Go Again
title_sort here we go again
url https://ojs.deakin.edu.au/index.php/ps/article/view/2065
work_keys_str_mv AT katengai herewegoagain