Abstract
This study examines how the media use of non-Anglo American fans of the Backstreet Boys played a role in maintaining their long-term fandom. It does this by exploring how Dutch fans of the group negotiated its global reach and impact. The findings indicate that in the early days of the band’s fame, fans could rely on frequent (translated) coverage of this cultural text in the Dutch media. However, when the group disappeared off the Dutch media’s radar, the fans had to themselves become gate-openers and gatekeepers; they felt responsible for (continuing) circulating news, created their own Dutch fan-sites and fan-forums and befriended other (Dutch and international) fans online to sustain their fandom. Consequently, this study exposes how transcultural practices feature in this Dutch fandom, as well as how adapting and implementing new forms of media use helps to uphold long-term fandom in general.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 180-196 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Participations, Journal of Audience and Reception Studies (online) |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |