Exam Sec B: TV comedy

2 Questions worth 15 marks each4a

Compare how and why your chosen programme was scheduled on a particular channel. State the day, time and channel.

or

Compare how and why two programmes were scheduled on different channels. State the day, time and channel.

4bDiscuss in detail how one programme offers audience pleasures. Give examples from the programme

orDiscuss in detail how two programmes offer audience pleasures. Give examples from the programmes

4a

Compare how and why two programmes were scheduled on different channels. State the day, time and channel.

• Time• What comes before• What comes after• Scheduling tricks

used

• Type of channel (ethos)• Target audience• Type of programme

Title: TV comedy- target audiences

In your tables, define the following terms:

MASS AUDIENCE

NICHE AUDIENCE

You have 2 minutes

Definitions

Mass audienceA wide range of people who may be

young and old, men and women, rich and poor, and interested in main stream entertainment

Niche audienceA narrow range of people who share

similar interests and attitudes

TASK 2

In pairs, complete the worksheet.

You must decide whether the channels target a mass audience or a niche audience and give examples of specific programmes.

You have 5 minutesTV channel Audience (be specific) Example of programmes

BBC1   

   

CBBC   

 Niche- Children/ young people 10-16

 

BBC3   

   

BBC Wales   

   

We can usually tell immediately what audience a television channel is targeting through a number of ways

Channel identity Scheduling Content of programmesWatch the following video and discuss the questions

below with the people on your table1. Who is the target audience for E4?2. How does the type of programmes shown reflect

the identity of the channel and the target audience?

3. How does the channel target the audience?

http://www.tv-ark.org.uk/mivana/mediaplayer.php?id=589476fb541817b89ecf4f21248bb641&media=e4_launch1&type=mp4

Title Case study 1: E4

Task

Read the information sheet. Highlight any key sections that you think characterises the channel.

Summary• Targets a young audience• Focuses on entertainment• Focuses on edgy programmes• Regularly shows repeats• Shows imported television programmes more

than UK ones

Title Case study 2: BBC One

BBC One is a very different channel from E4

Based on your existing knowledge, list ways in which they are different?

The BBC is the world’s largest and most well known public service broadcaster

It was formed on 14th November 1922 by a group of British radio manufacturers so that they could produce programmes to be heard on their radios.

John Reith(1971-1989)Reith was the founder of the BBC

He was the first general manager when it was set up as the British Broadcasting Company and he was the first Director General when it became a public corporation in 1927

He created the template for public service broadcasting in Britain. He wanted to offer British

people programmes which would educate, inform and entertain

Glossary word:Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)

Public service broadcasting refers to TV programmes that are broadcast for the public benefit rather than for purely commercial purposes.

These programmes include local news coverage, arts programmes and religious broadcasts

Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)

The BBC is a public service broadcaster. In order to be allowed to broadcast programmes, it has to follow certain rules. These rules do not apply to other channels such as E4. It DOES apply to Channel 4 and ITV.

Question

What type of programmes did John Reith want to make?

The rules You must make quality programmes You must have a large proportion of

British made programmes You must reflect the diversity of Britain A proportion of programmes must be

made outside the M25 You must have a variety of genres and

programmes (such as news, and other informative genres )

You must show a balanced mix of genres (so no stripped scheduling)

How is this different to E4’s character?

The rules You must make quality programmes

You must have a large proportion of British made programmes

You must reflect the diversity of Britain

A proportion of programmes must be made outside the M25

You must have a variety of genres and programmes (such as news, and other informative genres )

You must show a balanced mix of genres (so no stripped scheduling)

How is this different to E4?

E4 do not make their own programmes

E4 shows mainly US programmes

E4 do not make their own programmes

E4 does not show prgrammes that are diverse. Ege. US shows with all white characters

E4 does not show news programmes or factual programmes

E4 uses stripped scheduling (showing programmes every day at the same time)

Title: Citizen Khan

Watch the following clip

How does the programme fit BBC One’s character and the BBC’s PSB requirements?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sd2LYdzd78

Citizen Khan• Entertains• Targets a wide

audience 16 +• Made outside of

the M25• Reflects the

diversity of Britain• Comedy shown

along side news and other genres

Task

Explain why The Big Bang Theory is shown on E4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv_MbEGkblM

Explain why Citizen Khan is shown on BBC One Key words

PSBEntertainment

RemitMass/ niche

audience

• Niche audience channel

• Entertainment channel

• Imported from US• Stripped schedule

The ‘how’ part

TV channels use scheduling to attract as large audience numbers as possible.

Look at the TV schedule for series 1 and 2 of Citizen Khan. Using the key terminology sheet, identify the scheduling strategies used by BBC One

Extension- describe how they attract the audience

The ‘how’ part

TV channels use scheduling to attract as large audience numbers as possible.

Look at the TV schedule for TBBT. Using the key terminology sheet, identify the scheduling strategies used by E4. Write your answers on the schedule sheets

TaskCompare how and why two programmes were scheduled on different channels. State the day, time and channel.

Programme How Why

Citizen Khan • On BBC1• Mass audience• Watershed (after 9.00)• Prime time• Inheritance• Hammocking• Zoning

TBBT • On E4• Stripped schedule• Prime time• Zoning• Pairing

TaskCompare how and why two programmes were scheduled on different channels. State the day, time and channel.

Programme How Why

Citizen Khan On BBC1Mass audienceWatershed (after 9.00)Prime time

Inheritance

Hammocking

Zoning

PSB rules & BBC remit to entertainTargeted at adult mass audienceAdult contentPlace reserved for popular programmesAfter 10 oclock news- people will say tunedPeople are encouraged to stay tuned to watch Gavin and StaceyComedy zone on Friday night. People relax and want entertainment and relief from long week at work

TBBT

TaskCompare how and why two programmes were scheduled on different channels. State the day, time and channel.

Programme How Why

TBBT On E4

Stripped schedule

Prime time

Zoning

Pairing

US programme to entertain niche audienceOn at the same time every week day so people will be in the habit of watching itPlace reserved for popular programmesPlaced next to another comedy programmePaired with a similar show so people are less likely to switch over