EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF NEW MEDIA PLATFORMS ON THE AUDIENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC PERIOD THROUGH THE CONTAGION AND OUTBREAK MOVIES RELEASED ON NETFLIX

The COVID-19 epidemic, which has affected the world, threatens human health. With the effects of the global pandemic, there is a period in which staying at home has become a responsibility. In this difficult period during the pandemic, there is a strong communication between the audience and digital platforms. The development of today’s technology is bringing out a great transformation in the field of communication. The main factor determining this transformation is the digitalizing world. The concept created by digitalization is new media. “New media” are new digital media environments where the interaction that people have created in the digital world is effective. It is cinema that gives power to digital media environments in the field of culture and art. Cinema, which plays an active role in this field, has the chance to express itself more freely. Digital broadcasting platforms in digital media environments provide the opportunity to reach cinema audiences. One of these digital platforms is Netflix, which has provides a significant increase in the number of subscribers. The cinema audience has the authority to direct the digital space. In this context, the audience is more active on these platforms during the pandemic process. The aim of the study is to discuss the effect of two separate pandemic-themed films, Contagion and Outbreak, which are among the most watched films during the pandemic process, on the cinema audience. In this regard, the Contagion and Outbreak films released on Netflix were examined by considering the content analysis method. Using this method, it was determined that it reduces the feelings of anxiety, fear and curiosity in the audience, provides relief, and creates positive effects