Uses and Gratifications theory proposes that audiences actively engage with media to fulfill certain needs. Blumer and Katz identified four main needs fulfilled by television viewing: entertainment and escapism, information and surveillance of current events, exploring personal identity, and facilitating social interaction.

1. Uses and Gratifications
The theory that media audiences make active use of the media on
offer to fulfil their needs.
Blumer and Katz (1975) developed the Uses and Gratifications
model to identify four needs that were fulfilled by viewing television.
Escapism/Entertainment Information/Surveillance
A form of escape Information
from everyday about
pressures. A ‘what’s
source of going on’ in
entertainment. the world
Personal Identity
Comparing own life Social Interaction
with characters and
situations portrayed Sociability through
& to explore discussion about TV
individual problems with other people
and perspectives

2. Uses and Gratifications
Personal identity
Information/surveillance
Entertainment/escapism
Social interaction