1. InstitutionsReality TV and the Television Industry Cartoon Benrik Pitch

2. How popular is reality TV?

Annette Hill: media theorist and expert in the rise of reality tv

Reality TV is so popular across the public in Britain that sometimes more than half the population are watching one reality TV show.

3. A Week in Reality TV an overview

In a single week in January 2011:

41 different reality titles were broadcast on Freeview channels alone

at least 12 of these programmes were screened daily

a number were repeated in different time slots throughout the day.

4. Useful website

http://www.tvguide.co.uk/

5. How popular is reality TV? 6.

Can you account for the rise in the popularity of Reality TV?

7. Reality Television is...

A response to changes in technology and economic crisis in the world of broadcasting:

• the arrival of TV for mass audiences in the US and then the UK

• lots of new programmes needed and shows which involve the audience

• new lightweight cameras create new types of documentary: the real people on TV show is born

• daytime TV launches in the UK more programmes needed to fill the schedules!

• strikes and crises in the broadcasting industry lead to less drama, more real people TV, from talk shows to docusoaps

• the digital revolution begins!

• new satellite, cable and digital channels arrive!

• the internet.

8. Why is the Reality genre popular with TV broadcasters? 9. Sub Genre example 1:The Reality Talent Show

Format:

Competition auditions, tension, conflict, skills development

A format recognisable, familiar, same but different

Talent (or not) entertainment and diversion its fun!

Celebrity judges, real-life personal stories or journeys

Inclusiveness anyone can enter

A long-term process building to a mega-event

A vote and a winner resolution!

Examples :The X Factor ,Britains Got Talent

Question:

why is this sub-genre popular with broadcasters?

10. Sub-genre example 2:The Docusoap a hybrid of observational documentary and soap opera

Format and Examples:

Vets in Practice: narratives around vets, suffering pets, and their owners and the drama, highs and lows of the daily life of a veterinary practice.

Traffic Cops:motorway stories, seen from the point of view of the daily work of traffic police.Click for Traffic Cops

The Family :28-camera set-up records the minutiae of everyday family life over 8 months. Massively edited into a highly constructed narrative. Series 1 observational with voiceover, focusing on small moments of family conflict set entirely within the home; Series 2 incorporates talking heads, interview and more continuing story strands, with external footage.Click for The Family (clip 1) ;Click for The Family (clip 2) .

Question:

:Why is this sub-genre popular with broadcasters?

11. Sub-Genre example 3:The Social Experiment Show

Format and examples:

A people experiment where a situation is set up and observed, e.g.Wife Swapconflicting class values and life-styles within the home exploring parenting, social relationships, domestic organisation, gender roles, work, etc.

Blood Sweat and T-shirts assumptions of affluent Western teens challenged through experience of harsh lives of other cultures.

Secret Millionaire a social experiment with positive outcomes.

The Choirencouraging participation; teaching boys to enjoy singing; uniting divided communities; mending Broken Britain through song.

Question:

why is this sub-genre popular with broadcasters?

12. Sub-genre example 1: The Reality Talent Show

Added value for the Broadcasters

long-running occupies many hours of air-time, and builds to climax

endlessly recyclable format, which can be copyrighted

huge audiences, national profile, can generate massive tabloid promotion

• Lots of opportunities for spin-off programmes; The Xtra Factor etc

can use celebrity judges already associated with the broadcasters brand

generates a massive income for the channel via:

• sponsorship from advertisers (Im A Celebrity/Iceland)

• revenue from voting process

• Sales of advertising space/airtime major family brands

• % of sales/profits made after the series is over (The X-Factor Tour, album etc)

13. Sub-genre example 2:The Docusoap a hybrid of observational documentary and soap opera

Added value for Broadcasters

• after initial set-up, relatively cheap to produce

• no costs for screenwriters, actors are free, no need to build sets

• ongoing ready-made drama, with inbuilt storylines, keeps audiences coming back

• information content; opportunities for spin-off shows, viewer interaction, debate .

14. Sub-genre example 3:The Social Experiment Show

Added value for the Broadcasters

• usually a worthwhile socially useful mission

• can be useful in promoting campaigns, charities, raising awareness of social issues

• can change the way people think and behave towards each other

• therefore good for the reputation of the producers/channel

15.

Added value for the Broadcasters

• relatively cheap to produce, no paid actors, no sets or just one set

• long-running occupies many hours of air-time, including spin-offs

• audience loyalty as the series builds to climax

• endlessly recyclable format, which can be copyrighted and franchised globally

• huge audiences, national profile, can generate massive tabloid promotion

• generates a massive income for the channel via:

• • sales of advertising space to major brands at prime-time

• • sponsorship from advertisers

• • revenue from voting process

Summary of benefits to the industry