NEW CINEPHILIA TASTE: A STUDY ON ACADEMICS’ TASTE IN THE CASE OF NETFLIX TÜRKİYE AND MUBI TÜRKİYE

This study examines the views of cinema academics, which can be called ‘new cinephiles’ and ‘masters of symbolic taste,’ on MUBI and Netflix streaming platforms. In the theoretical part of the study, the boundaries of taste are first emphasized in cultural consumption. Then, the views on the formation of boundaries formed by the consumption of cultural products were emphasized. Categorical boundaries play an important role in cultural consumption, dividing art as popular or elite and individuals as high or low culture. Bourdieu’s cultural capital theory emphasizes how individuals with high cultural capital create class distinctions. Previous studies have shown that upper-middle-class individuals or ‘cultural omnivores’ tend to appreciate high and popular culture. With the emergence of digital platforms, these boundaries are being reconsidered. Research suggests that algorithmic recommendation systems on these platforms shape users’ tastes and potentially reinforce existing social and cultural divisions. This study used qualitative research methods and a phenomenological design to investigate the impact of viewing preferences and digital platforms on class divisions. The findings reveal that while these platforms increase access to a wide range of content, they reinforce class-based viewing practices. Characteristics of new cinephiles: Participants show a deep attachment to films and use various digital devices to watch them, suggesting a nuanced interplay between technology, cultural consumption, and social stratification.