TV in the 2010s

How many channels are there these days? (approximately)
In the 1960s, TV was only broadcast at certain types during the day. Is this still true in 2018?

Define the following phrases and explain their significance when discussing TV in the 2010s: 
channel loyalty
channel surfing
streaming content
‘box sets’
TV stars
production values
narrative
continuity announcements during the end credits

Why are ‘hooks’ at the opening of each programme so important in the 2010s? How do we see this at the start of Cuffs? Is this true for The Avengers too?

Copy this:
Ownership, funding and regulation 
Television in 2010s Britain is provided by a wide range of industries:
• publically-owned PSB television providers (BBC, C4)
• commercially-owned PSB television providers (ITV, C5)
• commercially-owned non-PSB television providers (e.g. Sky, Sony, Viacom, Disney)
• foreign state-owned providers (e.g. those for Russia Today, Al Jazeera)
• commercial streaming-only services (e.g. Amazon, Netflix).

and this:
Much television is provided by international media conglomerates. Cuffs, for example, was produced by Tiger Aspect Productions, a successful ‘independent’ production company which is part of a group (Endemol Shine Productions) currently 50% owned by 21st Century Fox. This media conglomerate owns, wholly or in part:
• 20th Century Fox film studio
• Fox News
• 20th Century Fox television
• Sky UK/Ireland/Deutschland/Italia/Amstrad
• Fox Digital Entertainment
• Fox Music
• Endemol Shine.


TASK:
What do you know about Public Service Broadcasting and why might that effect the portrayal of gay and Muslim people in Cuffs?


Cuffs was shown before the watershed – before 9pm, when programmes containing material unsuitable for children cannot be shown – this includes sexual content, violence, graphic or disturbing imagery and swearing.
How has this affected the content of Cuffs?

Media producers: Tiger Aspect and Cuffs 

Cuffs was produced by Tiger Aspect for the BBC.
Research Tiger Aspect.

• What shows have they produced? Are these similar to Cuffs?
• Julie Greary created the show. What else has she created? How are these shows similar?
• How can you tell Cuffs was primarily designed for British audiences?
• What were the viewing figures for Cuffs and how does this compare to other TV shows?

TV Audiences

Cuffs was broadcast at Wednesday 8pm.

When producing Cuffs, 'the darker content expected of a police drama had to be balanced with lighter, family-friendly fare.'

What examples can you remember from Cuffs that prove this?

Changes in social and cultural contexts mean that television audiences expect diverse representations in their television programmes.
What examples of this can you see in Cuffs?


Uses and gratifications

What uses and gratifications does Cuffs fulfil? Make specific notes under the following subtitles:

• Personal identity - who do audiences relate to?
• Social interaction and integration - what would the show cause people to talk about?
• Entertainment - how does the show entertain?
• Surveillance - what do audiences get to see and learn about?