Why are Cultural Adaptations such a Prevalent Strategy in the Media Business?

Abstract

With the technological background of media convergence, industry convergence has gradually become closer, and cultural adaptation strategies have progressively prospered. Phenomenon can be embodied as best-selling novels being adapted for the “big screen,” films being turned into video games and international TV formats for national audiences. For example, of the top ten movies in 2016, seven of the movies are prequels or sequels related to existing movies, and/or are based on novels and comics [1]. This situation is not limited to movies and dramas, other forms (such as drama) have also begun to undergo cultural adaptation [2]. This essay will first define the cultural adaptation strategy based on various perspectives, analyze the characteristics of the media industry, and finally explain why cultural adaptations are such a prevalent strategy in the media business. Cultural adaptations