Media Institutions & Channels.

The three institution's/channels I will be researching for my MEST2 coursework are: E4, CH4 and BBC3. This would be useful in deciding which program my group would want to broadcast our program on.

1. Channel E4

The channel E4 is a British television channel and 'E' stands for entertainment and the channel is mainly targets the age group 15-35 year old. The successful U.S programs which are broadcasted on E4 are: 

• The Cleveland Show
• Desperate Housewives
• How I Met Your Mother
• 90210
• One Tree Hill
• Ugly Betty
• Friends
• The Big Band Theory

 However, the successful British shows which are also broadcasted on E4 are:

• Made In Chelsea
• Hollyoaks
• Misfits
• The Inbetweeners
• Skins
• Shameless

 E4 most successful broadcast was on the 11th of October 2010 when an episode of The Inbetweeners has over 3.7 million viewers. Furthermore, E4 is one of the most original digital channels as it is successful in launching mega hits like Skins, The Inbetweeners and Misfits. Moreover, on the E4 website is is stated "through research we know E4 viewers are predominately young  but they're also fashion conscious, sociable, connected, heavy internet users, they love going out and tend to use advertising as one of their many information sources. They are also likely to be opinion formers and more likely to talk about brands and convince them to try them out"

The channel is owned by Channel Four Television Corporation and below is data which was uploaded from BARB on the 9th of December which shows the top 10 programs on E4 that viewers have been watching. According to the data the most poplar show on E4 is Hollyoaks which could suggest that the program had an interesting narrative which made more viewers tune in to watch it.

The creative director of E4 Neil Gorringe stated "We wanted something that reflected E4's personality - beautifully random, joyously daft and generally not taking things too seriously" This shows that E4 has it own USP as the programs which are broadcasted on the channel are different to other shows which broadcast on other channels. The target audience is 15-35 year olds, which shows the E4 targets teenagers and adults. This means that some of their shows would have aspects of sex/violence/amount of swear words ect which would be associated for adults suggesting that the programs at 9pm and after would include this. According to the audience rating on a article online highlight that the program Misfits debuted with an audience of  1.1million just on their second series. This clearly shows the Misfits is a massive hit to E4 target audience. (Link below to the article)

http://www.brandrepublic.com/go/news/article/1040823/misfits-series-debuts-11-million-e4/

In May 2005, E4 introduced 'First Look' in showing episodes of popular programs such as Come Dine With Me, Hollyoaks, and drama series such as Lost and Invasion in advance of transmission on Channel 4.

2) BBC3 

BBC3 is a television network from the BBC broadcasting and the channel target audience is 16-34 year olds and the program focuses on younger audience, new talent and new technology. The controller of BBC3 Zai Bennett highlighted that BBC3 have three priorities and the channel is a mixed genre for young audience. The three priorities that he stated are:

• "The channel needs to be disciplined about focusing on the young - its centre of gravity will be 16-34 year-olds: people who are young in spirit and mindset"

• "BBC Three is ‘Never Afraid to Try new Stuff’ and that’s why we will continue to innovate with breakthrough comedy, stand-out entertainment, brave documentary and intelligent factual formats. Our content needs to have potential to innovate across platforms."

• BBC Three should provide an environment for the development of new ideas and talent and for existing talent to take risks, becoming a genuine laboratory for BBC One and BBC Two.

 Furthermore, as the channel is targeting 16-34 year olds,  BBC3 programmes has to complete heavily with rivals including ITV2 and E4 for an audience that the BBC is has found difficult to attract. For example, in 2008 it reached 263% of 16-34 year olds in digital homes which has been BBC3 highest result for the channel. Additionally, the important fact is that BBC3 has aired documentaries aimed at challenging beliefs of young people. This includes programmes which bring topics such as addictions and childcare into an entertainment and educational context for instance; 'Freaky Eaters' and 'Spendaholics' . Also, BBC3 has also broadcasted shows which is based around beauty such as 'Snog, Marry, Avoid?' which is one of the channel top show and broadcasts sports primarily for the male audience such as 'Match of the Day'.

3) Channel 4

Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began transmission on 2nd November 1982. The channel transmit across the whole of the UK, excepts some parts of Wales which are covered by the Welsh. Also, channel 4 does not produce its own programmes but commissions them from more than 300 independent production companies across the UK. The programs which are popular on channel 4 are:

• Come Dine With Me
• Alan Carr: Chatty Man
• Hollyoaks
• Big Brother
• Big Fat Gypsy Wedding