Defining/Classifying Audiences



1.a)  The Mainstream: These are the people who live in the world of the domestic and the everyday. A daily routine is crucial to the way they live their lives. Their choices are 'we' rather than 'me'. Their main need in life is for security. In relation to this i think that a main media text they would consume are soaps e.g. (Eastenders and Coronation Street) as these shows appear everyday on television and it fits their everyday life routine.

The Succeeder obtains self-confidence, have a strong goal orientation and tend to support the status quo. They are the type of people to seek out only the best as they believe that is what they truly deserve. The Succeeder would be mostly likely to buy very exclusive brands such as Armani and Hugo Boss as these brands represent a sense of organisation/tidiness and wealth, they would buy this so they can show of their success. Their core need in life is control.

The Aspirer is a materialistic people who are driven by others' perceptions of them rather than by their own values. Their core need in life is for status. A aspirer would tend to be seen driving a very expensive car preferably sports such as a Ferrari, they would drive this kind as they are 'driven by others' perceptions' so people will notice them. A types of media text they would use is a 'Broad Sheet' newspaper they would use this because it is enlarged compared to a normal newspapers size so people will notice them reading it but also these newspapers are seen for the 'intelligent' so when people bypass them they will assume they are a smart/intellectual person.

The Explorer's are people driven by a need for discovery, challenge and new frontiers, the explorer are often the first to try out new ideas and experiences. Their core need in life is for discovery. A explorer would be highly suitable to V.R (virtual reality) as it is a whole new experience that has never been created before so this will meet their needs 100%. Also they would tend to try out pre-launched games/betas which allows them to try out a small portion of a video game before the official release, this will meet their needs as it lets them have a new experience and challenge.

b. I think these categories are helpful for defining audiences as it differentiates their needs and how it affects their lives. For example, explorers want something new. But on the other hand the majority of the people fall underneath the Mainstream as majority of the population have routines they follow on a daily bases, In relation to this a the mainstream may have a daily routine but they seek out new things in life and their is so specialised categories for this, so this is also a reason why categories don't fully define audiences.

c. A TV programme which is currently run at the moment is Celebrity Juice, the show was first aired on 24 September 20008 and is still running to this date. The show itself would not appeal to family groups as the show contains vulgar language and constant sexual references through out the show. The age group i would say would be 18-30 years of age as the language used is not suitable for young people and the modern references used may not be understood by over 30's. Category E would be the most suitable class to watch this show, for example, Unemployed, students, casual workers as the language used isn't complex at all and the words used are very easy to understand, in addition to this the show is free on ITV2 which is a free view channel which requires no money to be paid to watch this.

d. In my opinion i would say the people answered in a. and c. would be a mainstream person as the show Celebrity Juice consists of the same games and questions and their is no change present in episodes which suits their needs to a routine and keep their expectations met. Also i would say that the lifestyle category would be a groupie as the individual would be able to discuss their thoughts and feelings about the show and discuss how they enjoyed the comedy so they can be accepted by the people around them.