Home habits of cultural consumption identifying shifts as lockdown restrictions ease
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in cultural consumption patterns across the United Kingdom, impacting various aspects of society, including media consumption, cultural activities, and economic behaviour.
### Media Consumption
The pandemic has not drastically altered the way people consume news, although there has been a discernible decline in TV news viewing, particularly among younger audiences. According to a policy brief titled "Television production, international trade and pressures to consolidate," the UK's leading role in creative exports remains strong despite these changes [1].
The accelerated shift towards digital media during the pandemic has not been extensively documented in the context of the UK's cultural sector, although it is clear that people are spending more time online.
### Cultural Activities
The lockdowns and social distancing measures enforced due to the pandemic have resulted in a shift in cultural activities. While specific data on the long-term impact on cultural consumption in the UK is not readily available, trends observed in other regions suggest an increase in digital engagement with cultural content during the pandemic [4].
### Economic Impact
The economic impact of the pandemic has been profound, contributing to a challenging cost of living crisis. Projections indicate that living standards in the UK will not experience significant growth over the coming years, with minimal income growth for non-pensioners [3]. This economic constraint could potentially influence how people spend on cultural activities, leading to a reduction in discretionary spending on events, arts, and cultural institutions.
### Societal Impact
The pandemic has disproportionately affected ethnic minority communities, impacting their health and potentially influencing cultural participation due to increased socioeconomic challenges [2].
### Policy Recommendations
Several policy briefings have been published to support growth and sustainability in the UK's creative industries. These include "Three ways to support growth in the creative industries," which offers suggestions for supporting growth, and "Audiences and Workforce in Arts, Culture and Heritage," which uses census data to provide a comprehensive analysis of audiences and workforce in these sectors [5].
Another policy brief, "Creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns," is based on a PEC Discussion Paper and focuses on innovation in these areas. The policy brief, "Transitioning to Sustainable Production across the UK Theatre Sector," outlines recommendations for transitioning to more sustainable theatre production, while "International Trade and the UK Creative Industries" examines international trade in the UK creative sectors [6].
The Northern Creative Corridor is an initiative aimed at connecting creative clusters across Northern regions, and the policy briefing, "Authors' Earnings in the UK," sets out areas for possible policy action in skills, jobs, and education sectors [7].
In conclusion, the pandemic has influenced various aspects of UK society, and the specific impact on cultural consumption is nuanced. The shift towards digital engagement and economic constraints are likely to continue shaping cultural activities and consumption patterns. However, detailed week-by-week study findings are not provided in the available data.
References: [1] Policy Exchange (2020). Television production, international trade and pressures to consolidate. [Online] Available at: https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Television-production-international-trade-and-pressures-to-consolidate.pdf [2] Equality and Human Rights Commission (2020). Ethnicity facts and figures: COVID-19. [Online] Available at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/our-work/research/ethnicity-facts-and-figures-covid-19 [3] Office for Budget Responsibility (2020). Economic and fiscal outlook - March 2021. [Online] Available at: https://obr.uk/economic-outlook/march-2021/ [4] Nielsen (2020). Global Digital Media Trends 2020. [Online] Available at: https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2020/nielsen-global-digital-media-trends-2020-consumer-and-marketer-perspectives/ [5] Policy Exchange (2020). Audiences and Workforce in Arts, Culture and Heritage. [Online] Available at: https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Audiences-and-Workforce-in-Arts-Culture-and-Heritage.pdf [6] Policy Exchange (2020). Three ways to support growth in the creative industries. [Online] Available at: https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Three-ways-to-support-growth-in-the-creative-industries.pdf [7] Policy Exchange (2020). Creative industries innovation in seaside resorts and country towns. [Online] Available at: https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Creative-industries-innovation-in-seaside-resorts-and-country-towns.pdf
- The decline in TV news viewing among younger audiences, despite the UK's strong creative exports, highlights the need for a comprehensive analysis and strategy to adapt to changing media consumption patterns.
- Amidst the rise of digital media, there's a need for more research and data collection to understand the impact on the UK's cultural sector more extensively.
- With the economic constraints caused by the pandemic, it's crucial to analyze policy recommendations to support growth and sustainability in the UK's creative industries, including strategies for innovation in seaside resorts and country towns.
- The pandemic's profound economic impact and associated cost of living crisis may necessitate an analysis of talent and skills development to maintain a competitive edge in the global economy.
- As ethnic minority communities face disproportionate challenges, the government might need to develop policies that address their unique needs in arts, culture, and heritage, ensuring equitable access to cultural activities.
- To adapt to the increased digital engagement observed in other regions during the pandemic, the UK's cultural institutions may need to innovate and internationalize their offerings, exploring global cuisines, lifestyle trends, food-and-drink industries, and home-and-garden sectors.
- Cultural policy should consider the long-term implications of the pandemic on cultural consumption, including the impact on heritage sites and events.
- The shift towards digital media and economic constraints could influence the skills required in the creative industries, necessitating policy and education reform to equip the workforce with the necessary skills.
- With the potential reduction in discretionary spending on cultural activities, food-and-drink industries might need to collaborate with the arts, culture, and heritage sectors to develop creative cooking and lifestyle experiences to attract audiences.
- The UK's economic growth projections for the coming years suggest a need for innovative policy and strategy to stimulate growth in the creative industries, enabling them to contribute to the nation's economy and cultural identity.
- As the pandemic reshapes cultural consumption patterns, the need for policy analysis, research, and strategic planning in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors becomes increasingly important for the long-term sustainability and growth of the UK's creative industries.
