Reception Theory - X Factor

The X Factor is a reality TV show contested by aspiring singers, the aim of the competition is to find upcoming talent straight from the public. The target audience for the show is teenage - mid thirty year old women or men who have children. This is because they will find the contestants relatable and possibly have family, meaning they have obligations restricting them from having plans on Saturday and Sunday nights - when the show is aired. Therefore, this text may appeal most to the mainstream audience as, each year, the show is the same, offering security and reliability to the audience. More specifically, the show may be targeted at aspiring singers as they will be intrigued to audition next time around, making the production of the show possible. This is due to the fact they can personally identify with the contestants on the show.

Preferred reading:
This show is produced by the encoders with the aim that the audience find the show entertaining. It promotes the ideologies that fame and fortune can be achieved by anyone and everyone - as the contestants are members of the general public. The text celebrates talent and gives individuals with musical aspirations the opportunity to achieve their dreams. Moreover, it promotes that it is never too late to pursue you dreams, despite the general opinion that you have to be young to start a music career, the 'overs' category is a clear indicator of this. Additionally, the show promotes the ideology that fame and fortune is important and the ultimate goal. By the judges all being famous within the music industry, it is promoting that celebrities are more important than members of the general public. Some people enjoy the show because they are able to involve themselves in it by voting; they feel as though they are a part of the show and have an impact.

Oppositional reading:
I understand that the X Factor is possibly fake; by this I mean that the producers arrange the auditions and stage events and script the contestants pre-audition VT's and their auditions to make the show more controversial and interesting. The winner of the show may even be determined at an early stage. Elaborating on this, the show can prove to be rather belittling of contestants as the judges often laugh during their auditions and can be seen to be quite brutal with their feedback. Despite this, the oppositional reading audience still enjoys the show. Even though they view the show to be manipulating and damaging to contestants, they can follow the highs and lows of the contestants lives and enjoy the talent and entertainment showcased. These views are generated through cultural experiences. For instance; as we are a capitalist country, we are used to competition, so the competition of x-factor is familiar to us. Additionally, within society we believe celebrities are something to aspire to be, and as the whole concept of the x-factor is to create a celebrity; we find the show as the perfect, easy way to become famous. Similar to this, we value fame and fortune a lot and this show offers an easy way to access that, even the runners-up of the show end up gaining some form of fame - leading to financial benefits.

Negotiated reading:
The ideologies people who have the negotiated reading have are that the show's purpose is to belittle contestants who are trying to make a name for themselves and achieve their dreams. They believe celebrities have no more importance than them, despite the common view in society that they are to be worshiped. The negotiated reader completely rejects any concept of the show being entertaining; they disagree with the shows morals and the ideologies it represents - especially to younger audience members. For instance; the show represents celebrities as having a high standing in society and that we should aspire to be like them. Furthermore, the show promotes fame and fortune as being of extreme importance and the ultimate goal. The negotiated reader disagrees with this; they are content with their lifestyle and do not compare themselves to celebrities or wish for anything more in life. Cultural experiences have an impact on these views,