In recent years the television industry has been marked by constant revolution, especially with digital transmission increasing the number of channels and ultimately creating competition between the broadcasters.
Two important current issues within broadcasting are convergence and interactivity, which both form an essential part of Reality TV. Reality TV illustrates convergence and interactivity by involving the audience through live events, telephone and online voting. The internet is used as a main platform and helps reach Reality TV’s target audience.
The history of the sector is multi-faceted with the first Reality TV show, arguably Candid Camera, dating back to 1948. Today’s popular reality shows like Big Brother and Pop Idol can be viewed on UK’s terrestrial channels ITV and Channel 4. Zone Reality is the UK’s first and only channel devoted exclusively to Reality TV. Reality TV’s main target group is that of women aged 15 to 34 years of age. Audience figures show 12 % watching reality programmes on terrestrial channels and 16 % watching them on multi-channel pay TV.
Reality TV has high commercial value partly due to it being a key site for “advertainment” – the merging of advertising and entertainment programming.
Two of the most successful formats of Reality TV are Big Brother and Popstars/Pop Idol. Their massive success is demonstrated by their ratings and their market share. Furthermore, some reality shows not only generate money by advertising revenue but also by various other sources such as phone line, internet and sponsorship revenue.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction
3. The Television Industry UK
4. Reality TV
4.1 Definition
4.2 History
4.3 Providers
4.4 Target demographic/Audiences
4.5 Commercial value
4.6 Models
5. Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This report provides a business-oriented analysis of the UK television industry, specifically focusing on the rise and commercial impact of Reality TV. It investigates how the genre leverages media convergence and interactivity to maintain market dominance and generate revenue.
- The evolution of the UK television landscape and the emergence of Reality TV as a dominant genre.
- Business models and commercial strategies, including the concept of "advertainment."
- The role of media convergence (internet, telephone voting, live events) in audience engagement.
- Competitive analysis of the market, including production companies and broadcasters.
- Target demographics and consumer behavior patterns in the reality television sector.
Excerpt from the Book
4.5 Commercial value
Reality TV boasts high commercial value, one of the reasons it being a key site for experiments in “advertainment” or the merging of advertising and entertainment programming. Advertainment is currently working in two directions, with entertainment becoming a form of advertising and advertising a form of entertainment. (Deery, 2004: 1)
As the dominant new TV genre of the 21st century, Reality TV provides a clear example of commercial culture in which mediation is primarily designed to sell (McAllister, 2003). Individuals, experiences, and the medium itself are repeatedly marketed in a genre whose combination of direct and indirect forms of selling is currently a leading element in the fusion of advertising and entertainment. The result is what the industry refers to as “advertainment”, programming designed to sell as it entertains. As “branded content”, the shows themselves act as marketing vehicles in addition to attracting audiences for spot advertisers. (Deery, 2004: 3)
Many producers have regarded Reality TV as an opportunity to experiment rapidly and aggressively with several forms of advertising. In doing so, they have in many instances returned television to its point of origin as a commercial vehicle. (Deery, 2004: 18)
Summary of Chapters
1. Executive Summary: Provides an overview of the television sector's evolution and summarizes the commercial significance of Reality TV within the UK market.
2. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the report, focusing on the business perspective of Reality TV as a model for media convergence.
3. The Television Industry UK: Discusses the historical context of UK broadcasting and current trends like digital transmission, convergence, and audience fragmentation.
4. Reality TV: Analyzes the definition, history, market providers, demographics, commercial value, and specific case study models like Big Brother and Pop Idol.
5. Summary: Concludes that Reality TV remains a highly successful and profitable genre that effectively utilizes interactive media to secure its future.
Keywords
Reality TV, Television Industry, UK Broadcasting, Media Convergence, Interactivity, Advertainment, Commercial Value, Big Brother, Pop Idol, Market Share, Audience Engagement, Digital Transmission, Broadcasters, Production Companies, Factual Entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this report?
The report focuses on the UK television industry, specifically analyzing Reality TV as a business model that successfully utilizes media convergence and interactivity to remain commercially viable.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
Central themes include the commercialization of television, the evolution of factual entertainment, audience demographics, and the strategic integration of advertising into entertainment programming.
What is the main objective of the work?
The objective is to examine Reality TV from a business perspective to understand why it is a successful model for modern media convergence and commercial engagement.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The report utilizes industry market research, audience data analysis (such as CHAID), and Porter's Five Forces model to evaluate the competitive environment of the reality television sector.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers industry history, definitions of the genre, the role of key production companies, specific audience demographics, commercial revenue streams, and successful case studies of shows like Big Brother.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Reality TV, Advertainment, Media Convergence, Audience Fragmentation, and Commercial Value.
How does "advertainment" influence the reality TV business model?
Advertainment merges advertising with entertainment, turning shows into branded content and marketing vehicles, which creates multiple revenue streams beyond traditional spot advertising.
Why is interactivity considered crucial for Reality TV?
Interactivity, through elements like live telephone voting and online engagement, keeps audiences connected and helps the genre maintain its market presence despite competition from other leisure activities.
- Quote paper
- Bachelor of Arts Verena Stickler (Author), 2007, The Music and Media Industry, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/177836
