Audience HW

Audience Questions

The Mainstream is a subgroup of the audience which has a need for security, this means everybody who fits into this category will consume certain media types for the sense of acceptance within their group. As this is the largest subgroup of the audience it means that the majority of people base their media consuming habits on a need for 'fitting in'. Mainstreamers will watch shows such as 'Britains Got Talent' because it will give them a chance to converse with other mainstreamers and will not leave them feeling outcast. As the core of a mainstreamers media consuming habits is based on a sense of security they will often talk as 'we' instead of 'me'. They will stick to well trusted brands and rarely try new options, following trends is a mainstreamers primary concern.

The Succeeder is the most focused and goal orientated subgroup of the audience. They have a strong need for control and would therefore watch shows with more fact than fiction, an example of this would be 'The Apprentice'. They have a business-like attitude and would admire successful entrepreneurs such as Alan Sugar. They would tend to seek the most upper class brands as they feel they deserve it after their hard work has paid off. These people will often occupy positions of power in society

The Aspirer is considered the most materialistic subgroup of the audience, image is everything to them. Others perceptions of them are most important in their lives. The aspirer cares more for an attractive package than a useful one. As they care more for appearance we are led to believe they desire expensive brands because this would add to their huge ego. The aspirers need for status suggests they will consume media texts such as fashion shows so they can learn from other aspirers on what to wear in order to add to their appearance.

The Explorer is the most outgoing subgroup, they seek discovery and will often try new brands and ideas. These are the pioneers of society and are vital to the audience, without explorers news and opinions on new media texts would be a lot slower without explorers trying them out and spreading the word for the mainstreamers to follow. Explorers will often watch new shows of any kind, they are open minded and could watch all genres of media texts.

Personally I think these categories of people are correct as such, however I think that most people will vary through different categories in their lives, I would categorize myself as a mainstreamer however, a year ago I would definitely have fallen under the explorer title. Therefore keeping track of which groups are larger would be a lot harder with peoples core values ever changing.

The Only Way Is Essex is a reality television programme currently popular for the mainstreamers. The show is uneventful and appeals to me in no way whatsoever. The stereoptypical consumer for this text would be anybody not in employment-part time employment, students mostly consume this text. They would most likely be female as one of the key characteristics (ironic because the show has no character) of this programme is relationships. I think this programme appeals mostly for those under the age of 20, it will be of little interest to the middle aged and older generation.

I think cowboys would most likely consume media texts such as Flog It because they like the idea of making money quick and easy. Cynics would stereo-typically enjoy review shows because they enjoy a solid criticism. Drifters and drop outs would most likely watch shows such as Two And a Half Men because there is no need to keep track of the whole series in order to enjoy one episode, rarely do episodes cross reference and there is something in it for everyone. Egoists would most likely watch fashion shows because they have a need to feel better than everyone else in a materialistic sense. Groupies would consume mainstream shows such as The Chase because the vast majority of people have seen it and they would feel more accepted for watching it. Innovators would watch shows such as Dragons Den because entrepreneurship would appeal to them. I have absolutely no idea what a puritan would want to watch, possibly some long endless television series which they would watch from start to finish to feel like they have done their duty and persevered through an endless show such as Lost. Rebels would enjoy a good dosage of Jeremy Kyle because they could relate to those who frequent the show and there 'issues'. Traditionalists would most likely refuse to watch television and would rather sit outside with the radio on some dusty forgotten radio station, possibly BBC radio three. Trendies will watch anything their friends consume, hard to pinpoint what that would be. Utopians enjoy endless hours of the God channel.