Which of the following best describes the term 'media convergence'?

The term 'media convergence' best describes the integration of multiple media platforms and formats. This concept emphasizes how different types of media—such as television, radio, print, and digital—can combine and interact with each other. With advances in technology, particularly the internet, media convergence allows for content to be shared across various platforms, enabling users to access information in multiple ways and from different devices.

This dynamic illustrates not just a blending of formats, but also a merging of audiences and distribution channels, facilitating a more integrated media experience. This integration has reshaped industries, changed consumption habits, and fostered new forms of storytelling that leverage the strengths of each medium. The other options do not capture the essence of media convergence in terms of blending and interactivity between formats; they focus instead on different aspects like collaboration, distinctions among media types, and the rise of independent outlets, which do not encompass the full scope of convergence.