"At once brilliant and accessible, it is without peer when it comes to detailing the big picture and complex nuances of how cultural industries work. Every student of the media should have this book on their shelf"

- Jennifer Holt, University of California



"Sometimes provocative, always insightful and refreshingly direct. No-one could study the culture industries without engaging with its vision and argumentation"

- Sonia Livingstone, LSE



"Comprehensive and critical, authoritative and analytical, this is a wonderful book that will absorb, stimulate and educate students of media and cultural studies for years to come"

- Des Freedman, Goldsmiths, University of London



"An exceptional achievement - for its scale, for its comprehensiveness, and for the level-headed intelligence that is the hallmark of Hesmondhalgh's writing"

- Graeme Turner, University of Queensland




Undisputedly a classic, the third edition of this essential media studies text scrutinizes the changes in creative economy and cultural production in the global media. This book gives you:

• Guided further reading that takes you directly to the must-read research articles and online resources


• Brand new examples covering social media, digital publishing, reality TV and talent shows


• Examples spotlighting the emerging markets in China, India, Asia and Africa


• Analysis of the economic crisis and its impact on media structures and industries


• Insight into new products and the influence on consumer electronics and IT companies, including Apple, Facebook and Google.

As one of the most read, most studied and most cited media studies texts, this new edition is a must for any student of media and communication studies, the creative industries, cultural studies and the sociology of the media.