Transmedia storytelling, or the expansion of narratives across multiple media, has found success in cult and niche genres. Can the concept be more broadly applied? This project explores television-based transmedia storytelling and its failure to date when applied to non-cult programs.
It also examines some of the unique features of primetime television dramas, particularly those shows that exhibit complex realism. Using the example of NBC's Friday Night Lights, the project proposes a model for applying transmedia storytelling to such television texts.
Franchising Friday Night Lights was created by Jonelle Lonergan in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Media Arts at Emerson College, August 2008.