TV Listings

2. Great British Bake Off

This double age spread doesn’t use the program title
in order to promote the show, instead it uses a quote
from one of the presenters. This immediately
focuses the attention onto the main photo feature
making them the ‘face’ of the show. The writing is
also used to represent the show. The standard font
is used for words that are of less importance
however a more cursive font is used for ‘sabotage’
this juxtaposes the word meaning portraying the
quote as humorous as opposed to serious.
Secondary pictures are also used in this double page
spread. This is done in order to show snapshots of
the program itself. These pops emphasise that the
show its self is ultimately just about baking therefore
gaining interest from their female middle aged target
audience, mothers are a main target within the
baking industry therefore the show will want to
target this specific group as much as possible
The article is broken up in smaller
columns over the double page, this
makes it look more accessible to any
kind of reader due it being perceived as
less writing therefore they are more
likely to read it. As well as this it means
smaller minor images can be placed in
between in order to break up the
writing further, this again makes the
page more inviting and persuades
people to carry on reading.

3. Small features

Again this magazine has features such as
drop capitals. This is used in order to
make it easier for the reader to navigate
around the page, they do not have to think
about what they are doing therefore they
can gain more enjoyment out of it.
Pull quotes are a key convention in a TV
listing magazine, they are used to create
interest and potentially persuade
someone to read the article. Usually
they contain something shocking or a
key piece of information so the reader
will find out the rest of the story
through reading the article.
By-lines are used to credit the
photographer, however they are
shrunk down to an almost un
readable size and placed on the
side of a column as they are of
little importance to the reader

4. Article

This article uses a different narrative structure, TV times follows a scripted style combines with the interview
style. This allows the reader to feel like they have a deeper insight into what the presenters actually think of the
show. It removes the idea that the producers have edited or manipulated the answers given in the interview
therefore the reader is getting a true portrayal of the conversations that took place. As well as this there is a
clear layout, questions are separated from answers through the use of a different colour as well as bold writing,
this allows the reader to navigate around the page and pick out specific sections the want to read depending on
their interests in certain answers. Also it is highlighted in red which speak is answering the question therefore
allowing the reader a further understanding into the interview and again reducing the idea that answers have
been edited before production .
The language in this article is formal however has some informal influence, due to its interview style the
language used is transcribed as it would have been said, this therefore means that some language is formal
however most of the language used in the introductory paragraphs and questions is formal creating a more
sophisticated read and therefore aiming at the preferences of their target audience.
Daniel Chandlers theory of ‘reading position’ is also incorporated into this article. Chandler states that ‘each
written text provides a ‘reading position’ for reader, a position constructed by the writer for the ‘ideal reader’ of
the text. This article does this through it narrative style, by having an interview style of narration the reader is
ale to position themselves as a direct audience of this conversation. The ideal reader is someone who will be
watching the show therefore by having the two main presenter giving their ideas about the show there reader
gains a closer insight and positions themselves as a member of the audience community as opposed to being
singularly on their own.

5. Representation

The Great British Bake Off double page spread follows a very stereotypical theme in its
representation of the show. The main pictures uses a variety of props in the background
however all of these work together to emphasise that baking is associated with people
from the British countryside. The setting is a marque in a field with British flag bunting
surrounding the outer edge emphasising the British association, however there are also
flowers in draws and polka dot kettles which stereotypically people from the countryside
would do/own. As well as this the outfits worn by the two main presenters in the large
image are very stereotypical of that worn by ‘country’ people therefore reinforcing the
image that the page is trying to portray.
As well as this the small features around the pages emphasise this representation. A
plate of fruit cake is shown in the corner. This is traditionally English/British therefore
causing the reader to assume the show is representing England in a very stereotypical
way. However the small cupcake on the opposite page also offers the idea that there will
be some variety in the baking which potentially suggests a less stereotypical
representation. Although a minor feature it does create a slight change in representation
offering the idea that the show itself may subvert in some ways.