channel 4 textual analysis, A2 media studies

1. Website Textual Analysis
Channel 4

2. Channel 4’s sister
channels include:
• E4
• Film Four
• 4Music
• 4Seven
• More4
• Heat
• Kerrang!
• Kiss
• Magic
• Smash Hits
• The Box
Channel 4

3. Channel 4 Website
Navigation panes
of website to
show several
types of
programming.
Search bar for
easy access to
specific
programmes.
Large image of a
current/previous
programme on
channel 4 to
entice the
audience to
watch it.
Marquee of
programmes
showing on
channel 4 to
entice the
audience to tune
in at these times.
Sign in/register
options to make
the audience feel
more involved.
Shows name of
programme, time
its on and what
the programme is
about..

4. Channel 4 Information
• Launched – 2 November 1982
• Owned by – Channel Four Television Corporation
• Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster
• Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly
owned
• Audience share – 4.5%, 0.8% (+1) (July 2014)

5. Channel 4 Analysis
The channel 4 website has a range of features that
appeal to the audience and this is what makes their
site so successful. Firstly the logo appears in the top left
corner on top of a black banner, the logo is white
which contrasts against the dark colour highlighting it
as an important aspect of the site. This logo stays in
the same place throughout the site for consistency
reasons which is also a positive, as it means that
people will easily know where the logo is situated and
it makes channel 4 look like a professional website
subsequently.

6. Channel 4 Analysis
The navigation pane at the top of the page is an
important element of the site as it allows people to
see all of the features of the site – therefore also
allowing the audience to be able to see the variety
of options that channel 4 offer including the different
sister channels connected with 4. Furthermore, there
is a search bar in the top right corner which allows
the audience to specify their search, making
navigation of the website easier and more user-friendly.
Although, a search bar is still in place for
access for the audience – so giving them a variety of
options is an extremely paramount aspect.

7. Channel 4 Analysis
The main shows on channel 4 are shown with large
images, depicting either the main characters or just
an image from the show in order to entice the
audience towards the programmes. The images are
dominating on the page which is a positive feature
as it means that people can clearly get a good
interpretation of what the show is about before
looking to view it. There is a marquee along the
bottom of the page which shows upcoming
programmes, the marquee includes images from the
programme, the time it is on and the channel it is on
which entices the audience.

8. Channel 4 Analysis
The primary negatives of the channel 4 website are
that the colour scheme is quite bland, although
matching the logo of the channel, the black and
white colour scheme is not appealing and makes the
website look unattractive; a lighter colour scheme
would attract the audience to the shows because
although the images stand out, the site background
itself is not particularly eye catching. There is also a
lack of synopsis/text for each show, this is a poor
feature as it means that the audience are unable to
get an interpretation ab0out what the shows are,
because an image can only support a programme so
far – where as supporting this with a synopsis would
entice the audience towards watching the show.

9. Channel 4 Further Analysis
Channel 4 has to represent the programmes through
images, this therefore means that they are mediated in a
sense to represent something that will engage the
audience and Channel 4 does this successfully. Firstly, a
documentary is shown ‘Jon Richardson Grows up’ with
even the language used showing the nature of the
programme, the slogan used is ‘Adulthood? Bring it on…’
the ‘adulthood’ links in with the programmes
background showing the audience exactly what it is
about which entices them. Also, the ellipsis used gives the
slogan more tension which makes the audience want to
know what the programme is going to show, enticing
them to watch it. This gives a good image upon the
particular type of programme which is vital for the
company.