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Task 6 - BBC
- 1. Issues and debates that affect the television and video industries By Suela Elezi
- 2. Rating wars Rating wars is when two or more media companies compete with one another in order to attract the highest and largest amount of views to their company. One reason why media companies may compete with other media companies, causing rating wars to happen, is to try to impress and retain audiences, sponsors and advertisers. Therefore, leading to the viewers to keep coming back to watch to the company's programmes and services and receive requests from advertisers to pay the company in order for them to publish the adverts through the company. Another reason is due to the companies wanting to be successful in what they are doing, showing that the programmes and services they are broadcasting are approved and enjoyed by the audiences viewing them. Advertisers will see and purposely pick specific programmes and services with the highest ratings and pay that company to present their adverts. For example, advertisers will find and chose a media company such as BBC or ITV, whichever one has the highest views, will lead to advertisers to want to promote their adverts to the most popular and successful company, which they will then broadcast the adverts during the breaks when the audience are watching a programme, causing to the audiences to also draw their attention towards the adverts, causing them to sell their products and therefore make profit. Rating wars are important because in multi-channel and competitive TV environment as commercial broadcasters need high ratings to attract advertisers, to attract audiences and therefore make profit through choosing a favoured company to publish their adverts in order for these purposes to happen. For instance, if an advertiser has chosen to pay a media company such as BBC or ITV to present its adverts through the breaks during their programmes, it will allow the audience who are already watching the programmes to then see the adverts and cause them to draw their attention to it. In addition, many children services such as, CBBC or Cartoon Network, show products and items such as toys and games for young children, therefore causing children to want to buy the toys, telling their parents or guardians, who also may be watching the advert, to but the product.
- 3. Rating wars - Part 2 Rating wars has primarily occurred between the two common media companies, BBC and ITV. These two companies compete with one another as they are both British- based media companies, presenting primarily British programmes and services to the British public. Also, they both tend to broadcast similar programmes in which refer to the flagship show, Eastenders is presented by BBC One and Coronation Street published by ITV. Both companies broadcast to the public similar shows which fouc around the British values and traditions, but both shows are created with different narratives. BBC and ITV compete with one another in order to assess which company gains the highest views, emphasising that their company is better than the other. Therefore, there is a clash between the two companies as they both have similar programmes and services presented to the public, causing them to compete with one another in order to get the highest views. The main clash that occurs for the two shows is that they were seen to be broadcasted at same times and days. In the past, Eastenders and Coronation Street would both be broadcasted around the same time and day at 8 and every weekday. ITV was seen to be benefiting the most as created first and had already audiences dedicated to watch the show, but then Eastenders was created later on in the years, shown on weekdays at 7:30 or 8:00 pm. Coronation Street had to split up into two parts showing one episode at 8 and then the rest at 8:30. This is because there was a clash between the two programmes as they would both be shown at the same time and then the two companies decided to broadcast their programmes at different times but on the same weekdays. Coronation Street was required to broadcast the programme at 8:00 pm but then a 30 minute break which the rest of the episode would continue to be shown again. This started mainly because when BBC was broadcasting Strictly Come Dancing, on BBC One, the programme X Factor was also being broadcasted to the public at the same time. This caused the ITV Company a decrease in the number of views to the company as more people began to watch the programme presented by BBC One. Later on, ITV decided to broadcast X Factor half an hour later as they realised that their views were dropping and then to not fail completely, decided to present shows at different times.
- 4. Rating wars - Part 3 Moving on, the rating wards have also occurred between BBC’s News and ITV’s News. The BBC News primarily broadcast news that is international, showing situations occurring around the world. Whereas, the ITV News tend to mainly present news focusing in the United Kingdom, seen as monopoly and biased towards events that they are not in favour of, but BBC News are not seen as being biased as they have many chairmen and leaders in charge to present different content, rather than just one leader controlling everything shown to the public such as, ITV. Due to already BBC and ITV competing with one another, other platforms such as, the news in which they both present, are seen at rating wars with one another again. This is because the BBC News are shown at 6:00 until 6:30 pm, but then ITV also, shows the London news at 6:00 pm. Therefore, this causes a clash to happen between the two competing companies. This will then lead to the audiences having to choose which company to watch the news from due to both companies broadcasting the news at the same time, causing the views of the programmes to vary as one company may have the highest views during a certain month but then the other company has the highest views due to people changing their decision in which company they are watching the news from.
- 5. Rating wars - BARB BARB is broadcasters’ audience research board. BARB is an organisation which focuses and accumulates information regarding audience measurements television ratings, referring to rating wars, in the United Kingdom. On their website, a video clip states that BARB spends £7 billion annually, invested in the production and distribution of commercial and programming products. The company create a panel in which a sample is taken of 1200 individuals as a representation of the population, using the demographic profile, different people with age, gender, social class, background and ethnicity etc. to cover the wide range of different people within a society, as BARB only takes into account people who watch television, showing statistics for live television. BARB covers these questions that focus on the audiences, who is watching? What are they watching? When are they watching? And which screen are they watching it on? These questions are asked by BARB in order to accumulate information about the public who watch live television. The question, who is watching?, gathers information about the public who are watching programmes, the type of people using the demographic profile which then can allow advertisers to specifically target their product to certain people that they would likely buy. The next question, what are they watching?, suggests that there are different types of programmes watched by different types of people. This question will allow advertisers to present their product, targeted for certain audiences due to different people watching different programmes based on their interests. For example, a company may have designed toys for children which they want to present an advert of the product through the children services such as CBBC or Cbeebies, as they know that the audience that watch the programmes on these services are young children. Therefore, the children will be seen as the correct target audiences to show the advert to whist during the breaks of the programme. When are they watching? Refers to the programmes shown at different times and different days. Which screen are they watching on?, explains that audiences may consume the programmes on different devices such as, a tablet, smartphone, laptop, etc. and not just watching programmes on television BARB is manly helpful for advertisers, as they create audience profiles which advertisers can access and use the data gathered by BARB as they measure the rating of a media company, which then the advertisers can decide which company to choose to present their products through. Which every company has the highest views, is more likely for advertisers to choose them in order to present the products. Advertisers do get a report from BARB what people watch programmes on online, phone and tablet. Also, this organisation primarily focuses specifically on the ratings of the public watching on live television but can some amount of information regarding online viewers as well.
- 6. Rating wars - BARB part 2 This image shows a table form containing all the media companies such as BBC, ITV, Channel 4, sky etc. are all placed in order, starting at the top with the highest and going down to the lowest views. Therefore, the company which has the highest views of audiences will be placed at the top of the table and the company with the least views, as audiences may not watch programmes from that service, will be placed at the bottom of the table. However, the order of the companies vary all the time as the public may change their decision in what service they want to watch their programmes from. The table shows data from in May, 2018. BBC is seen to be at the top of the table, suggesting that most of the public in United Kingdom prefer to watch programmes from BBC. The table shows that the average daily views of BBC are at 23,839. The second most popular company is ITV, these are the two companies that always compete with one another as they both tend to broadcast similar programmes and which are both preferred by the British public. Also, the prime time tends to be at 7:30 to 9:00 pm, in which BARB have found out through their research, that these times are watched the most as the audiences tend to watch programmes mainly during these times. For instance, the most popular shows such as, X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent are shown during these times. Also, because this is when families sit down with one another and watch these programmes. Moving on, as you go down the table, it shows companies such as; Sky is shown to have not that many views, as this service mainly broadcast United States programmes. Therefore, Sky is not a popular service viewed by the public as the British public prefer to watch programmes that primarily focus on the British values, rather than programmes that focus other country's values.
- 7. Technologies The experience of watching television is rapidly changing with the development of technology. Official statistics, in 2017, show that all adults aged 16 to 34 years were using the internet (99%), with 41% of adults aged 75 years and over using the internet as well. Young children also shown to be using technologies, with more than 7.5% of children in the United States have been addicted to some form of technology, as technologies are seen to be made primarily in the USA. A reason for the high statistics in so many people using technologies could be because of most technologies are mostly used in public areas where people spend mainly their time at such as, at school/educational places and workplaces. Therefore, people are becoming more aware and knowledgeable on the operation of modern technologies used in their everyday lives. People are no longer restricted to a limited number of channels on the television, but viewers are now able to watch exactly what they want to watch and when they want to watch it. New advanced and non-television delivery systems such as the Internet, enables viewers to download traditional television programmes, which are primarily broadcasted live on televisions, onto a computer, laptop, or smartphone. Thus, changing the way people watch television, as people can now watch online and keep programmes downloaded onto their devices, then watch anywhere and at any time. For instance, technologies such as smartphones, smart TVs and laptops have allowed people to get access, watch on their own wherever they are and no matter the time, to services such as BBC iPlayer to watch their favourite programmes that may be like Eastenders, then watch on those devices than how people use to watch Eastenders through the television with everyone sitting around watch together in a room where the television is.
- 8. Technologies Technologies have developed rapidly and widely, with new types of electronic devices created that function in different ways, giving people the chance to use different objects in their everyday lives to make it more convenient for them. For instance, the development of smartphones have been beneficial for people to have as this device has given people the chance to communicate with other people more effectively and faster as the object has many modern features installed such as, video calls which enable people to speak to others in a face-to-face conversation by just talking through a phone rather than having to meet one another as they may not have time to meet or are in different locations. In addition, people are seeing the creation of technologies in a positive way as the devices are being created in order to help people live their lives in a better and faster way. Due to a wide range of technologies developing, this has given everyone the chance to buy any modern technology device ranging from any any price. Therefore, this will encourage more people to buy modern devices as there are a variety of devices to choose from and available with many prices, from cheap to expensive, allowing people to then buy a device which they can afford. Furthermore, society is becoming more modern as it has become socially acceptable for everyone to have access to the new technologies, regardless the age, young and old. This is due to as people are being bale to create new creations that can help benefit people in their lives, making it more easier for them by the use of a device and most technology devices have been designed to be operated easily and not that difficult therefore people can use them and used in almost everywhere in the world. The creation of technologies have also lead to media companies such as, BBC creating BBC iPlayer and ITV for ITV iPlayer, making websites where all the programmes which are shown on television, then to be shown on the websites, for people to watch if they missed it and not shown after the days have gone. Watch more than once, anytime and anywhere, as long they have internet connected. Lead to people keep coming back to the website and keep watching programmes therefore causing the company to increase their profit. Also, apps on a smaller scale, deliver same product as online but on a smaller size, available for phones therefore people can watch on the go. This will cause the company to become more popular as it provides the programmes available on different platform, accessible for everyone, referring to smartphones.
- 9. Pros of technologies An advantage of technology is that it is linked to the internet which is seen as a positive object because, it has given people the ease of access and choice of what they want to watch and when they want to watch programmes on different devices they have purchased. The diversity of technologies created, vary with different screen sizes which has allowed companies to create new platforms to present their products in which people can access through the devices. Also, due to technologies developed as portable devices, this has allowed people to travel with the device easily and effortless. Therefore, people are able to watch programmes on at anytime and anywhere. Also, another advantage of technology is that broadcasters can attract a wide range audiences. This is because people can access programmes on different devices, not limited to watching on just one device like the TV. This will help to increase profit for companies as advertisers can promote their adverts through online as well, shown during the breaks of a programme on the devices. Organisations like the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) for example, help parents understand more about what their children are doing online. Restrictions and blocking certain websites or prammes can be imposed, as may not be appropriate for young children to have access to. Therefore, parents more likely to buy technology devices for children if they want as there can install safety and control locks on certain platforms.
- 10. Cons of technologies Although, a disadvantage of technology is that companies are required to start developing new platforms such as making websites and selling channels to other companies in order to increase the number of viewers and give audiences a range of platforms they can watch programmes on. Although, this point can also be seen as an advantage as if companies create new platforms spreading however, in the long term it will help. Another disadvantage of technologies has lead to the creation of pirated shows. Piracy has lead to people pirating shows that have been originally developed by an eatabled media company. and when to try shut them down it will cost a lot of money. There have been a variety of illegal websites created which give people the free access to watch and download shows that may not be presented yet to the public and which have been stolen from the original provider and presented on new platform. This will then cause the company to reduce their profit as need to take a large of money to shut down the illegal websites delivering the operated shows. Also, the conusers of the technology devices will cause them to spend their money in order to purchase a technological device amd these devices are sold at a mainly at high prices in order to receive the best quality. Therefore, this has lead to some people not want to buy devices and rather stick to watching the programmes on their television which they have bought previously.
- 11. Smartphones Smartphones have been the biggest creation of all technology devices created, as shown to be used by a large number of people. Smartphones were developed as normal phones with text and calls but modifying it, lead to modernise the phone as featuring more modern elements within the phone such sas video calls, emails and a store built into the phone able for people to buy more apps from any design. Shown by official statistics in 2014, 80% of england’s population have access to smartphones. Smartphone have allowed nearly everyone, covering nearly all ages, to have access to different stuff, smartphone allowing people to watch stuff on the their phone, on the go, portable. People using smartphone everywhere. Smartphones have been created as modern phones, with featuring elements that have meda it easier and available for people to watch programmes on their phones with touch screen what programmes on the go. Due to the phone being touch screen, it has provided HD (high definition) quality, making people want to buy the phone even more as then they can watch programmes on it too as well as using it as a normal phone to call and text. People can now download apps of programs then keep on the phone and use the app all the time when want to keep watching programmes. Most apps for free therefore everyone can have them, but some pay if people really want it then make more money for the companies. Just like the websites, accessible for the phone, therefore download the app and watch the programmes as they would have online or on television. Increase even more profit, as website and apps getting more views and downloaded and used all the time by audiences.
- 12. Pros of smartphones One advantage of the development of smartphones is that they are portable, allowing people to use this device on the go at anytime and anywhere. Smartphones have been primarily designed as a small size, which don't require much strength to carry and fit in many places to keep safe for example, in a pocket or bag. This device is light and small which is convenient for people to take anywhere whilst travelling, with they can then watch programmes on as it only requires people to hold the device or place somewhere that the person can view the video from. Another advantage of smartphones is that the use of the internet has now become available and accessible for people to use their devices in most public areas. Most public areas and/or shops tend to have free wifi available within the area, which will then allow people to use when they are in that area, giving them then the chance to watch programmes whilst at the place providing the internet for them. An additional advantage is that smartphones have been designed to allow people to download and purchase programmes to keep and watch whenever they want. There are apps (applications) such as, iPlayer(s) from media companies like BBC or ITV that can be downloaded which present their programmes on. Therefore, the app will have all the programmes available that are normally broadcasted on the television, but now are able to be presented and viewed from the this device. This smartphone is the iPhone, which is a popular device used by many people around the world. The ‘App Store’ which has already been featured on the device, allows people to download other applications they want to keep on the device, with many apps designed with many purposes. The app ‘BBC iPlayer’ has been downloaded onto the device, which enables the person of the phone to watch programmes presented by BBC.
- 13. Cons of smartphones However, on the other hand, there are also disadvantages about smartphones. A disadvantage of having a smartphone is that it may have a sufficient battery life causing the phone to die quickly as the battery is easily drained from the apps used on the phone. The iPhone which the common smartphone used by everyone, has shown to have poor battery life as the phone runs out of it quickly. Therefore, people would need to constantly need to charge their phone and not watch everything as their battery is gone. Smartphones may have a limit amount of storage and memory which will cause people to buy more storage or memory once the certain amount is filled up. This may occur as people may want to keep a large amount of pictures, emails, texts or apps on the device, but certain phones may have a limit of how much a person can keep. Therefore, this will cause people to buy more storage which will cost them more money in order to keep buying space to store content on the device that they want to keep. Also, the constant use of smartphones by people could cause disruption within public areas. This is because some people may have already started to watch a programme and want to keep watching the video whilst being in areas such as, in a school or workplace. Therefore, the programme watched by the person may disrupt other people within the area as they may hear the video as well and the person may not want to stop watching the programme. In addition, the cinema which is a popular public place, have made sure to always display a sign in order to inform people to turn off their phone whilst in the building as numerous people tend to use their phones while watching the movie, which will then cause distraction and disruption to the movie for other. Also, this has lead to piracy to occur due to some people may record the film and then publish it onto the illegal websites for others to
- 14. Regulations Ofcom is the Office of Communication. Ofcom is a government approved company that has legitimate rules in which the television and film industry must abide from to make sure that the programmes shown to the public are suitable and approved otherwise it would be taken down from not applying to the rules. Ofcom’s number one priority is to promote competition. This means that programmes and services which are shown to the public, has to have a balance, with no use of monopoly. By providing balance, this will show that there are different owners which promote different content, showing no use of monopoly. But if there was only one main leader, who was in charge of all the programmes and services shown to the public, then it would present monopoly through the programs and services as that one person would just show the same content. Therefore, Ofcom uses a range of different organisations to make sure that there is diversity presented through the media contents. Ofcom covers many media companies that the most of the population watch on live television such as the two popular British-based media companies, BBC and ITV. Furthermore, Ofcom ensure that these companies are broadcasting approved and appropriate content, not bringing any harm to the public and allowing them to watch different channel covering different content, different shows covering different stuff such as entertainment, education, informative.
- 15. Pros of regulations The pros of Ofcom is a safeguard for public when watching programmes through media services. This means that Ofcom acts a safeguard for the audiences, making sure that the appropriate programmes are presented to the right and required target audiences. For examples, certain programmes such as, Horrible Histories and The Sarah Jane Adventures which are broadcasted by CBBC are targeted for younger audiences, people from ages of 9 to 13 year olds. Whereas, programmes such as, Eastenders and Coronation Street are targeted for older audiences, form ages of 13 to 65. Therefore, different programmes are created by a certain service which specialise in creating similar other programmes, with diversity of services producing programs that are designed for different people, allowing people to favour a service in which they can watch programmes that are created to satisfy their needs. Another advantage of regulations is that Ofcom make sure appropriate shows are on at the right times for specific audiences, Watershed is the example of this. Ofcom created the watershed system, in order to ensure that different programmes targeted for different age groups were to be shown on television at different times. The TV guide helps show the public when certain programmes will be broadcasted, at different times, due to some young people may be awake, therefore not put bad adult programmes when they are awake watching television. Make seprate later times for adult audicnes to watch their programmes, as know young audience not awake at that time, give adult audience their chance to watch their programmes later on.
- 16. Cons of regulations Even though, Ofcom is primarily seen in a positive way, there are a few disadvantages towards the company. For instance, there are limited options when different programmes are broadcasted due to the strict rules imposed. Some people who may be at an older age may not even gain access to certain programmes that they want to watch as they may need to provide evidence that they the correct age to watch the show. For instance, services such as BBC and Sky require the audience to provide a pin in order to watch the adult shows. But this is seen in a negative way as some people may forget the pin to access the show and if they forget the pin then they can't watch and end up missing the show. Another disadvantage of regulations is that some companies, that are under the control of Ofcom, have argued they impose strict rules that they would have to follow. companies under the control of Ofcom such as BBC, themselves see as Ofcom has made them follow the strict rules, making sure that programmes and services shown to the public have to follow the rules set out by Ofcom, otherwise the companies will face warning and if they get too many warnings this will cause the company not to be controlled by Ofcom anymore. Also, certain programmes may not be shown as they may not be approved by Ofcom which will then cost the company to spend money as they would have already created the
- 17. Audience effect theories The audience effect theories include theories such as, moral panics, encoding and decoding and uses and gratifications. These theories suggests different meanings directed to the audiences watching the programmes and services presented by media companies. For instance, the moral panics theory covers the fears and issues in everyday lives which is shown through the programmes and services. Encoding and decoding theory explains that programmes create messages within the programmes and services which the audience will then decode, perceive. The uses and gratification theory suggests why people choose to watch a certain programme and/or service. Therefore, television companies and many more other media companies, will use these theories in order to make there programmes and services seem interesting and bring something new to the audience, making the audience interact with the programme or service, not just using one, then not having a real big effect on the audience. In addition, these theories are important for media companies to use throughout the programmes and services in order to make them interested and draw the audience into the show more. This will cause the audience to have different feeling, joyful or scared, due to different programmes created to bring out certain feeling if people watch it, and make the programmes seem more interesting then rather not using any elements to engage people into the show and then lead to people to talk about the show, which will increase the population and views of the programme.
- 18. Moral panics The moral panic theory, developed by Stan Cohen in 1972, suggests why moral panic is used throughout media products. This theory argues that in the past, during the 1960s, the media helped to create two opposing youth groups - the Mods and the Rockers. It was argued that these two groups were involved in some minor acts of vandalism and a few scuffles between some of mods and rockers members. However, the media carried hugely exaggerated reports of what happened with front-page headlines, giving the misleading impression of the groups which then generated a moral panic to the public which then became in fear of and hostility towards the mod and rockers, seen as “folk devils” posing major threats to the public. The police were informed to focus and observe these groups in response to the alleged deviant behaviour, as exaggerated by the media. Furthermore, moral panic is decided by companies to use this theory to be shown throughout programmes ands services in order to get the audience's attention and raise awareness to a situation. For example, the news may tend to exaggerate and/or be bias towards a situation occurring. Also, some programmes may choose to create fearful scenes, causing the audience to panic and feel nervousness as it would see to cause the audience to feel in some way and bring the attention more of the programme, raising the views. Therefore, some programmes and services may be created with exaggeration presented, not giving the full valid and reliable information, causing the audience to feel in some fear way, changing their views towards something as exaggerated by the producers, also help gain more views as people will show other people and talk about it.
- 19. Encoding and Decoding Stuart Hall (1973) developed a theory called, ‘encoding and decoding’. This theory is an approach of how media messages are produced, disseminated, and interpreted. Encoding is the process of creating a message from one person to others (audience). The sender uses verbal (words, signs, images and video) and non-verbal (body language, hand gestures and facial expressions) which he/she thinks the receiver will understand. Whereas, decoding is the process of interpreting a message sent by one person to others (audience) and how audience are able to understand and interpret the message in a comprehensible form. Most programmes, films or movies created are seen to have a message shown throughout the video. This will cause the audience to try to understand and interpret the the message. For instance, many programmes tend to create messages shown through the video in order to gain people's attention and get their minds working rather than just watching a show without thinking. Programmes such as, the news primarily are seen to create messages in the videos when broadcasted, in order to raise and aware the public of a situation occurring. Therefore, this will causing people to talk to one another about the situation and try to understand what is going on in the world. This theory emphasises the way that people are not just passive consumers of media, but rather people can think and understand what the media is really trying to show. Also, people are able to choose any media platforms which will give them gratification from viewing it. Therefore, different media companies will compete with one another in order to make sure that the content they have produced will bring satisfaction for people consuming it, understanding that different media products give different feeling to people and the audience being able to understand which content to use at different times in their life.
- 20. Uses and Gratification (1974) Blumler and Katz proposed the uses and gratification theory. This theory suggests that the audiences are attracted to media texts that are useful or which gives them gratification (pleasure). The main features of the theory include education, entertainment, personal Identity and social interaction (and integration). These features provide different meanings, emphasising that people will watch a variety of programmes for different reasons. The information and education feature suggests the audiences want to acquire information, knowledge and understanding by watching programmes such as, the news or documentaries. Entertainment emphasises that viewers watch programmes for enjoyment. For instance, programmes such as Eastenders, Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor have been created, targeted for everyone, with unique content which produced by producers which they think that the audience would find enjoyable to watch and which everyone can watch with friends and families as well. Personal Identity means that viewers can recognise a person or product, role models that reflect similar values to themselves and mimic or copy some of their characteristics. In addition, some audiences are amused by a show, then may become fans of a certain actor in the show, causing them to keep watch the show and demand more content from the programme with the character. Also, some people may watch a movie or show then bond a relationship, as they may see a character as a brother or sister and/or as a friend. Lastly, the social interaction element means the ability for media products to produce a topic of conversation between people. For instance, programmes or films in which are watched by a lot of people, situation may have happened in a episode then cause people to talk to other people, friends or workers, in the area, about the video they would’ve seen, causing conversation to occur.