Purpose

This study aims to examine the motivations of a group of music fans of the Eurovision Song Contest to seek information about the competition and to participate in a virtual community of fans.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws from the uses and gratifications framework to understand the needs that a particular mass medium fulfills for its users. Fifteen Eurovision fans were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Interviewees were asked to talk about how they seek information about the competition, to relate their engagement and participation with the virtual community and to reflect on the role that the community of fans and the Eurovision have in their lives.

Findings

Content analysis revealed four themes that reflect the motivations that shape many aspects of participants lives, relating to seeking information about the Eurovision Song Contest, fulfilling the need for serious leisure, making social connections, finding a sense of belonging and forming an identity.

Social implications

The study examines the motivations of a group of people who share a common interest that shaped the ways the seek information, related to others, view themselves and construct their identity and make social connections, all to satisfy their love and admiration for the competition, and this regardless of the societal stigma that the competition might carry.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature on serious leisure information seeking by exploring the role that information and social media play in different aspects serious leisure activities.

中文翻译：

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在虚拟社区中寻求休闲娱乐的音乐信息的动机：探索Eurovision粉丝俱乐部

目的

这项研究旨在检验欧洲歌唱大赛音乐迷群体的动机，以寻求有关比赛的信息并参加虚拟的粉丝社区。

设计/方法/方法

该研究从使用和满足的框架中汲取了知识，以了解特定大众媒体为其用户满足的需求。使用半结构化的访谈时间表对15名Eurovision粉丝进行了访谈。受访者被要求谈论他们如何寻找有关比赛的信息，将他们的参与和参与与虚拟社区联系起来，并反思球迷社区和欧洲电视网在他们的生活中所扮演的角色。

发现

内容分析揭示了四个主题，这些主题反映了影响参与者生活许多方面的动机，这些主题与寻求有关欧洲歌唱大赛的信息，满足严重的休闲需求，建立社交联系，寻找归属感并形成一种身份有关。

社会影响

这项研究考察了一群具有共同兴趣的人的动机，这些人塑造了寻求信息的方式，与他人相关，看待自己，建立自己的身份并建立社会联系的方式，这些都是为了满足他们对比赛的热爱和钦佩，以及这与竞争可能带来的社会污名化无关。

创意/价值

本研究通过探索信息和社交媒体在严肃休闲活动的各个方面所扮演的角色，扩展了关于严肃休闲信息寻找的文献。