Lesson 3 Audiences
Learning Objectives:
- K: The importance of segmenting audiences.
- U: Why media companies need to categorise audiences to ensure success for their products.
- BAT: Evidence your knowledge of audiences via a practical activity.
- CO: Use media language effectively throughout the lesson - verbally and written.
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KEY INFO 1: COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BLOG POST
Studying and cataloging audiences is one of the most important aspects of media production and media studies.
Every media product is targeted at specific audiences... however there are media products that are aimed at a MASS AUDIENCES - can you think of any products that have mass audience appeal?
Media products that have a much narrower audience appeal are said to have a NICHE audience. Amongst some of these products are HOBBIE magazines, even certain kinds of films and TV programmes.
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Copy these logos onto your blog post and identify whether they are made for mass or niche audiences... Explain your reasons.
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Watch this video.
INDIVIDUALLY
Answer these questions in your blog post.
- Why do you think its important for media industries to study audiences?
- What does the term Demographics mean in terms of studying media?
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TASK 3 - UNDERSTANDING SEGMENTATION OF AUDIENCES
Segmentation: Breaking into pieces/categories - Demographics.
Look at the popplet below:
Lets make links between these popplets.
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In your blog post, can you:
- Write your own definition of the word stereotype.
- Give 3 examples of media products you think young people aged between 15 and 18 stereotypical will consume... make sure to include one example from a print based media (newspaper or magazines), one from a TV programme, and one internet-based product.
- Give 3 examples of media products you think people aged between 30 and 40 stereotypical will consume... make sure to include one example from a print based media (newspaper or magazines), one from a TV programme, and one internet-based product.
- Give 3 examples of media products you think people aged between 50 and above stereotypical will consume... make sure to include one example from a print based media (newspaper or magazines), one from a TV programme, and one internet-based product.
KEY INFO 2: COPY AND PAST IN YOUR BLOG POST
Below is a table that describes ONE way of how audiences are fragmented in the media industry:
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TASK 5 - AUDIENCE Media Theory 1 - Uses and Gratification - Blumler and Katz
KEY INFO 3: The U&G model is a theory that states that audiences consume media products because they have to satisfy needs:
Goals of Media
The goals of media use are:
Goals of Media
The goals of media use are:
- To be informed or educated
- To get entertained
- To develop social interaction
- To feel connected with the situations and characters emotionally
- To escape from real life situations
Examples of Uses and Gratification Theory
In situations like watching movies and listening to the music of your own choice, this theory is applicable. People choose from their own choices and moods. The needs of the particular person are met through the media used.Some people might watch news for information, some for entertainment, and some for self-reassurance. Some watch according to their moods. There are various needs which gets fulfilled by the media.
Similarly, internet and mobile phones have become a source of media that tries to fulfil not only the mass communication needs, but also interpersonal needs like interaction and emotional involvement. People can use internet, text, call, talk with photos or with videos. It is portable and accessible. It has come to be useful for many and serve many purposes.
WHY DO YOU WATCH/READ/LISTEN TO MEDIA PRODUCTS?
This theory also states that audiences consume media products that are connected to their identity... including their sense of actual and desired self.
How many social media apps do you use? Why?
Are you the same person in all of your social media?
Are you the same person in social media that you are in real life?
As a task... write your own definition of the Uses and Gratification theory in your blog post, giving 3 examples to help you evidence your understanding and application of the theory.
E.g. Stereotypically speaking, audiences in the category of men and in the C2 category will consume Britains Got Talent because they see themselves in the spot light and achieving a lot by doing very little.
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AT THE END OF THE LESSON:
- Why do you think its important to study audiences?
- Why is it important to categorise audiences in the media?
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From the spec.
