Genre of TV -- Documentaries

The format of Documentaries varies on what subject the show is featured. Most run continuously, others are one off which most feature social issues or events that are, or have happened. These one off documentaries are usually scheduled within a month's period while the subject is still fresh in people's mind. Documentary series that are continuous,are ran weekly on a certain day at a certain time. For example, every week on Tuesday nights at 22:00 a new episode will be aired. Typically for this genre the TV shows will either reveal the truth behind a story or provide information for people on subjects that they like such as Animal Planet, the channel features shows that are based around the animal kingdom and cover subjects of all animals.
Documentaries can also revolve around reality. This in this sub-genre, stories are told through a series of aired shows that commonly start negative and end with a positive out for the featured individual such as 'Hoarders: buried alive'.

There are many reasons why people are appealed to the genre of documentaries and this can be described through the Uses and gratifications of this genre. Audiences watch these shows because they provide information. This information provides the decoder with what's going on in the world at the moment. This can be through interviews, personal experiences or commentary. This information can vary from facts about life, wildlife and events that the media have not yet revealed. though like the news, documentaries are more popular, they provide statistics in detail and bizarre subjects that audiences may find strange but interesting such as 'Monsters inside me'. The sole purpose of the whole genre of Documentaries is that to provide facts and information at is not misleading.

Another use and gratification is Personal identification. to enhance the experience of a documentary especially within the sub-genre of reality. The reality genre includes real life experiences whether they're positive or negative, or a look into the lifestyle of someone who owns a business. . This genre is the most popular subgenre with a wide variety of shows that include; 'Deadly women', 'Ghost hunters' and 'air crash investigation' . These shows provide real life experiences and manipulate the way they are shown through POV shots, voice overs and close ups. These camera and editing techniques allow the audience to experience these TV shows like never before. For example the documentary 'Deadly women' reveal the stories behind the most brutal deaths committed by women. Point of view shots used allow the decoders to witness the event of the documentary through the eyes of commentator whether that be the 'victim' or the presenter. This leaves a greater impact on the audience, engaging them further into the show. Close ups allow the decoder to personally connect with the Victim whether that be through empathy or closure as this may have happened to one of the audience members.

Audiences who enjoy Documentaries have certain expectations for the shows. This means most sub genres of documentaries have conventional aspects that audience expect to see. This means for the sub genre of Esposurtry