Week 12 Reality TV.

Why is reality TV so popular for both programme makers and TV viewers?

"Reality TV was the successful replacement of programmes with declining audiences, so they had the ability to increase ratings at peak television viewing times" (Hall, 2005).

In regards to programme makers;

As cited in Hall 2005, by Kilborn, 2003, Reality TV can continually reshape its formats and can appeal to a broad audience (Hall, 2005), an example of this from Hall 2005 is Temptation Island which brought in people aged 18-49.

"The size of the prize money is a clue to the scale of the show" (Hall, 2005).

Reality TV can be made locally and have been financially successful, even on a world-wide basis (Hall, 2005).

Now the viewers;

Viewers are generally interested in watching others in difficult situations to see what happens (Hall, 2005).

Viewers are interested in the human drama an example of this is, the "big fights, big tears, big tasks emotional tensions and psychological machinations of contestants who compete to win” (Hall, 2005).

"The shows can either incorporate ordinary people that the viewers can relate to, or celebrities, or a combination of the two, and cover a wide range of topics" (Hall, 2005). example of this ordinary people "The biggest loser", celebrities like when NZ had "Treasure Island" which had celebs on it, and the Australian Xfactor incorporates both as they are spilt into groups and the celeb is their "trainer" so they work together.


"Reality TV can give an audience suspenseful moments, rather than being boring" (Hall, 2005).

"viewer response to reality TV programmes can differ from country to country", (Hall, 2005) for example, programmes which we may watch in New Zealand may not have any interest to say people in Australia"

Viewers may not be subjected to watching the same programme continuously as reality programmes, for example, reality game-shows, “do not lend themselves to repeat viewing” (Hall, 2005, p. 38) which means that viewers can anticipate seeing something new.


How have game shows influenced reality TV?



“Interaction between non-professional actors and celebrities” (Hall, 2005) may occur. Programme example: The apprentice where the host is Donald Trump, he is a Millionaire and successful celebrity and the 'non professional actors' are working for him, as they want to be like him .


Having the audience participation can help to make decisions in regards to the programme and its participants An example of this is Big brother, as cited in Hall by Costera Meijer and Reesink 2000;10 said that "the voluntary locking up nine people during a hundred days in a house, watched continuously by 24 television cameras, to which the viewers at the intercession of the inmates, once in two weeks vote against one of the inmates who has to leave the house, until the last person to stay can be the winner" (Hall, 2005). Because this was a success it only made the television marketplace stronger.


“The reveal which is on the emotional reactions, for example, the programme participants or family members when the results of the show are displayed (Hall, 2005). These reveal can include a life changing experience, Like Idol, Next top Model and against he Apprentice.



REFERENCES

Hill, A. (2005). The rise of reality TV. In A. Hill, Reality TV: audiences and popular factual television. (pp. 15-40). Oxon: Routledge.