Remits

Remits and Audience - TV Channels

Remit: For ITV, the remit is high quality programmes across a variety of genres such as drama, current affairs and entertainment. ITV1 offer all different types of shows that will cater for all the audience. It is a mainstream public service channel funded by advertising revenue. Examples of drama shows that are broadcast on ITV1 include Downton Abbey and Law & Order: UK.

Audience: ITV1 aims to attract the widest possible audience. Although the channel is primarily targeted at mass audiences, ITV1 also shows programmes aimed at particular sections of the audience, such as children and people watching TV during the day. In order to appeal to such a wide target audience, ITV1 has certain shows broadcast at different times. These times are split into daytime, primetime, weekend and nighttime programming.

Remit for ITV 1, BBC 3 and E4

Remit: The remit for this channel is to bring younger audiences to high quality programmes through a mixed-genre schedule of UK content featuring new UK talent. In addition, the channel should use the full range of digital platforms to deliver its content and build an interactive relationship with the audience. The programming of BBC Three consists of comedy, drama and spin off series. The main programmes that are broadcast on this channel include Doctor Who and EastEnders.

Audience: The channel’s target audience is 16-34 year olds. It appeals to the target audience as it is something new and age appropriate. On average, nine million people watch BBC Three every week, and the channel only broadcasts in the evening. The channel is on-air from 7pm to 4am each night.

Remit: The remit makes up a core part of Channel 4’s DNA.  It states that the channel should foster the new and experimental in television and it should also appeal to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society. In short, the channel offers innovation and experimentation for the audience in the shows they broadcast.

Some examples of programmes that are broadcast on this channel include The Big Bang Theory, Glue and Youngers. Channel Four produces some of the most provocative and thought provoking TV available via mainstream channels.

Audience: The channel is mainly aimed at people of 15-35 years of age. Therefore, the channel has to present a wide variety of programmes that satisfy the whole of the audience. Programmes aimed at a younger audience would be shown earlier, and shows aimed at an adult audience are shown after the 9PM mark.

Choice of TV channel

I have chosen to broadcast using BBC Three. The reason for this is that it already broadcasts drama programmes, which would give it an audience that would be interested in a new drama series. Another reason for my choice of channel is that the age of the target audience of the channel is suitable for the genre of horror that I've chosen.

Press Releases

Marcella (Crime)

This is an upcoming crime drama series that is set in contemporary London. The main character is a detective in her late 30's.

Features of the press release:

• There is heavy emphasis on the names of the actors taking part.
• Organised into several paragraphs with varied length
• Includes the date in which it will be filmed and where the filming is going to take place
• The simple and short headline describes the name of the series and lets the audience know which channel it's going to be broadcast on
• The name of the series' writer is shown and it features interviews from people to present information about the series
• However, the writers of the press release have also given it a formal mode of address.
• In addition, the press release also includes an interview:

This part of the press release focuses on the aspects of the main character and some of the other characters as well. Additionally, the description of the narrative as "unpredictable" keeps the reader interested.
http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv-commissions-drama-series-marcella 

Humans (Sci-fi)

This is a science fiction TV series which explores the emotional impact of the blurring of the lines between humans and machines.

Features of the press release:

• It shows the date when the series is going to be filmed. 
• There is a variety of sentence lengths and the press release is split into several paragraphs.
• The language that is used is both formal and understandable to appeal to a wide audience.
• Additionally, the press release features the names of the executive producers and other people involved in the production of the series. 
• The mode of address of this press release is formal and it grips the attention of the audience.

This is a description of the plot of the series. It explains where the series is set, and gives some information about the characters without giving away too much to the audience. It also involves an aspect which would cause conflict or confrontation in the series.

http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-and-xbox-entertainment-studios-partner-on-humans

American Horror Story: Hotel 

Features of this press release:

• It uses several questions at the end in order to get the audience talking about the series and thinking about what the plot will be. 
• The mode of address of this press release is quite direct and it keeps the audience interested. It engages with the audience.
• The press release ends with a short sentence that grips the audience's attention.
• It also features links for people to access that will give them additional information

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/26/american-horror-story-hotel-season-1-connection-murder-house

Structure and Style of a press release

Press releases share their structure with a standard newspaper article. Information is presented from the most important to the least.

http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/page.cfm?pageid=1503&guideid=75

What features do these press releases have in common?
All three of the press releases involve the names of the actors who are taking part, especially if they're a well-known person. In addition, they include details of when and where the series is going to be filmed and some ideas about the plot. Finally, the three press releases are organized into paragraphs of varied length and they feature language that is simple for the reader to understand.

What will you need to include to produce a convincing press release of your own?
I will need to include a paragraph structure and ensure that there are details in the press release about when and where the series is going to be produced. In addition, I will need to include ideas about the plot and the characters, but I need to make sure that I don't give too much away. I will also need to ensure that I engage the reader by adding interviews and also include a bit of information about the channel that it's going to be broadcast on.

How would you describe the mode of address of these press releases?

The mode of address of these press releases is very direct and it gets information across to the audience in a clear way.