Lifestyle
Cross-Platform Case Study

From AQA A Level
specification
Lifestyle: candidates should investigate how
lifestyle, ie: make-over, information and advice
products (such as buying and decorating property,
cooking, slimming, bringing up children, improving a
relationship, fashion tips etc), are presented across
the media, for example in (audio-visual) broadcasting,
the internet, newspapers and magazines. They
should study the production and reception of such
texts including the ways in which audiences may
participate and respond to lifestyle products.

consume and respond to the coverage of sport (and
sports products).
This list is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and
centres may wish to select other topics. Advice on
the suitability of a topic can be obtained from AQA.
The media texts in some topics may be
predominantly moving-image, audio, print or digital/
web based and may appear largely on one of the
three media platforms. Nevertheless, candidates
are required to examine the presence, production
and reception of texts within their chosen topic area
across the three media platforms.
For example, a broadcast fiction product such as a
new drama series for TV or radio might be received
on a linear broadcast platform with extracts available

possibly opportunities for interaction and downloads;
newspapers and magazines might promote and
comment on the product, actors, writers etc,
while others involved might appear on other media
platforms.
The texts within the cross-media topic should
be examined by applying the knowledge and
understanding gained through the study of the media
concepts introduced during the investigation of media
platforms. These include:
• audiences and how they receive and respond to
(and create) texts
• institutional contexts including the relationship
with the advertising industry, the level of

platforms.
The texts within the cross-media topic should
be examined by applying the knowledge and
understanding gained through the study of the media
concepts introduced during the investigation of media
platforms. These include:
• audiences and how they receive and respond to
(and create) texts
• institutional contexts including the relationship
with the advertising industry, the level of
independence/corporateness and how these
contexts may influence the production and
content of texts

latforms. These include:
audiences and how they receive and respond t
(and create) texts
institutional contexts including the relationship
with the advertising industry, the level of
independence/corporateness and how these
contexts may influence the production and
content of texts

• representations available within the texts and how
these are constructed and construed
• semiotic, narrative and generic codes and
conventions within the individual texts and
across the topic, accounting for similarities and
differences in codes and conventions across the
media
• features and issues such as synergy,

• representations available within the texts and how
these are constructed and construed
• semiotic, narrative and generic codes and
conventions within the individual texts and
across the topic, accounting for similarities and
differences in codes and conventions across the
media
• features and issues such as synergy,
intertextuality, cross-media promotion, public
service remit and other obligations, censorship
and control, news and entertainment values, the

• semiotic, narrative and generic codes and
conventions within the individual texts and
across the topic, accounting for similarities and
differences in codes and conventions across the
media
• features and issues such as synergy,
intertextuality, cross-media promotion, public
service remit and other obligations, censorship
and control, news and entertainment values, the
technologies used in the production and reception
process – as relevant to the topic chosen.
Candidates will be expected to use appropriate
media terminology in their responses to the
examination questions and this should be taught from
the start of the course.

• features and issues such as synergy,
intertextuality, cross-media promotion, public
service remit and other obligations, censorship
and control, news and entertainment values, the
technologies used in the production and reception
process – as relevant to the topic chosen.
Candidates will be expected to use appropriate
media terminology in their responses to the
examination questions and this should be taught from
the start of the course.
The Examination for Unit 1: Investigating
Media
The examination for Unit 1 will take the form of a two
hour two-part examination paper. It will be marked

 gag
“ Candidates will be rewarded for more
individualised case studies (Level 4 of the mark
scheme looks for ‘engaged’ responses) and it is
hoped that they will use teacher-led case-studies as
a springboard for their own explorations/
investigations. Critical autonomy is as always the
major aim.

amp ows
A brief example follows.
As with all class teaching, you should supplement
these ideas with your own research.
The beauty of the Lifestyle topic is that there are a
vast number of possible ideas on which you could
focus...

Ppy
Especially in the UK, we measure our lifestyles,
our level of success, and our self-esteem with
reference to property.
Television offers a bewildering number of
property shows, some focused on buying and
selling, others on renovating, building and
improving, still others on solving long-term
problems.

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Wh do e  ppy
shows have in common?
Location, Location, Location
Property Ladder
Grand Designs
Country House Rescue
The Great Italian Escape
How Clean is Your House?

Audic
To what extent do these different Channel 4
property shows target different audiences?
How do audiences receive and respond to these
shows?
In what ways can audiences participate in these
shows?

Audic
In answering these questions, you could (for
example) refer to the cross-cultural consumer
characterisations used by advertisers.
You could investigate on-line discussion forums
related to these shows
You could investigate how participants in these
shows are identified and chosen

Inonal Cos
Why does Channel 4 produce so
much property-related programming?
Research Channel 4 as an institution -
when did it start, how is it funded,
how is it structured, how well is it
coping with the impact of multi-
channel broadcasting and new media?

Inonal Cos
How do other television institutions
respond to Channel 4’s property
focus?
What types of advertising surround
these shows?
How does funding and advertising
influence the content of the shows?

psons
Make sure you watch plenty of
examples!
How is property represented in the
texts? Investment? Castle? Machine
for living in?

psons
How are members of the public
represented in the texts?
Sympathetic? Greedy? Obsessive?
Heroic?
In what sense is an ideal lifestyle
being promoted in the text? Of what
does it consist?

MIA s
What are the generic conventions of a
property show? How did they develop?
Explore the history of property TV by
undertaking some independent research.
What is the narrative structure of a
property show? Does it, for example, follow
a similar pattern each time: idea/quest;
hopeful beginning?; disaster/setback;
successful outcome?

mia s
Signs and symbols: how
might the choice of fixtures
and fittings reveal the
character & personality of a
Grand Designs participant,
for example?

Acss Pos
How many different tie-in magazines have been
launched by Channel 4 and their partners?
Who were these partners?
How many of these magazines still exist?
Which other property-related magazines are
regularly published?
How many of them tie-in to TV broadcasters?

Brooklands Group Media 10 BBC
www.brooklandsgroup.com www.media-ten.com www.bbcmagazines.com
IPC Media IPC Media BBC Bristol
www.ipcmedia.com/ www.idealhomemagazine.co.uk www.bbcmagazinesbristol.com

Audic
As with all magazines, you can research the
circulation figures at the Audit Bureau of
Circulations (ABC.org.uk)
You can also look at the reader profiles provided by
the publishers in the form of information for
advertisers.
How do these reader profiles relate to your Cross-
cultural Consumer Characterisations?

Inons
The BBC has its own publishing division, BBC
Worldwide
Channel 4 partners with external publishing
companies – why? Why might it be a problem?
Why has there been talk of BBC Worldwide
merging with Channel 4?
How does the advertising in these magazines
relate to the editorial content?

psons
Compare the representations of property and
people in the magazines and on the TV shows
Discuss “the ideal lifestyle” as represented and
promoted in these magazines
What underlying values are behind this lifestyle?
How does this ideal lifestyle relate to the wider
topic of ethical living?

s and Convions
What standard content do property magazines
include?
Discuss the graphic design elements in these
magazines – typography, use of colour, use and
placement of imagery. How do they differ between
contrasting titles?
Provide a semiotic analysis of a typical home
interior as represented in a magazine: signs,
symbols, iconography?

Acss Pos
How do both Channel 4 and the magazine
publishers use the web?
How does the audience interact with broadcasters
and publishers using the web?
Discuss the popularity of the computer game The
Sims, and its various spin-offs and expansion
packs.

e Sims 2

“ Take Your Sims from Cradle to Grave While Fulfilling
Their Dreams

“ The Sims™ 2 is the next generation of The Sims™, the
groundbreaking game that lets players create and control
people.

“ In The Sims™ 2, you direct your Sims over a lifetime
and mix their genes from one generation to the next.
Your Sims have life goals and it’s up to you to fulfil
their dreams.

“ Push your Sims to extremes from
getting busted for sneaking out of
the house to writing a great novel.

Apa 

“ Your Sims are moving into a brand-
new apartment, and their lives will
never be the same!

“ Adventure, fun, and drama await
them as they meet new people and
explore their new neighbourhood.
Will they take their kids to the local
playground, mingle in coffee shops,
or hit the park to learn from the
breakdancers?

“ Close quarters mean new
opportunities, move in with
compatible roomies for a thriving
social life, advance your career with
the right social network, or find true
love just down the hall.

“ Whether they live in artsy converted lofts, the
ultimate studio bachelor pads, or luxury
apartments with their own butler, your Sims
will experience all of the excitement of
apartment life!

IK Home 
“ Give your Sims’ home a makeover with new furniture and
décor items based on stylish designs by IKEA!

“ Design your Sims’ rooms to fit their personalities with all-
new sofas, beds, tables, TV units,shelving, and more in a
variety of colours and patterns for a truly unique look.

“ Whether you want to create a trendy, spacious office, a chic
living room, or a cozy and inviting bedroom, you can make
your Sims’ dream house into something even better a home.

“ Add the finishing touches with
popular IKEA wall art, mirrors,
lighting, and vases. Be your
Sims’ personal interior designer
with inspiring, contemporary
styles from IKEA!

Mansion and Ga

“ Design impressive estates and
meticulous gardens for your Sims
with three all-new styles.

“ With a host of new architectural
and landscaping items to choose
from, your Sims’ mansions will
look more stunning than ever!

H & M shion
“ The popular European fashion retailer that is taking the US
by storm with its trendsetting contemporary fashions is
now coming to The Sims 2!

“ Your Sims can choose from cutting-edge men’s and
women’s clothing including dresses, jeans, and other outfits,
complete with accessories-all inspired by real H&M designs.

Audic
Explain the unique popularity of The Sims
How does the audience interact with the game,
and with each other? (Clues: forums, FaceBook,
YouTube!)
How do these games encourage their users to
think? What kinds of attitudes and behaviours are
rewarded and encouraged?
How do players subvert or rebel against social
conventions in their game play?

Inonal Co
Investigate the Games Industry and the place of EA within
it
What type of game do EA specialise in?
Examine the relationship between EA and retailers like
IKEA and H&M
Why might this be of concern for Channel 4 and magazine
publishers?
Look at IKEA’s TV advertising, discuss its forms and
conventions & representations and compare to their
presence in The Sims.

psons
What types of people are represented in The Sims?
Stereotypes? Positive, negative?
What kind of lifestyles are most popular for Sims
players?
How do these lifestyles relate to those ideal
lifestyles on TV and in magazines?

s and Convions
How do you play The Sims?
Do you win? Lose?
What technologies does The Sims use?
How has technological change influenced the development of
games?
How do Sims players exploit the forms and conventions of
YouTube to entertain themselves and each other?
Investigate the development and consumption of “God games”
like Sim City, The Sims, and Spore

Concsion
Almost any lifestyle topic can be explored in the
same way.
Cookery, health, finance, fashion, motoring,
ethical living...
Don’t forget, also, that the whole topic of lifestyle
can be approached with any of the three platforms
as a starting point.
For example...

e  mia 
Discuss the way that people (young, middle-aged,
older) use new media as an integral part of their
lifestyles.
Discuss the ways in which “old
media” (newspapers, magazines, broadcasters)
have responded to this increasing trend?
What is likely to happen to traditional broadcast
and print media in the future as the “new media”
lifestyle evolves...?