Studio Production: Channel 4 research

Channel 4 Research

After a briefing with the show Producer, we were notified that the target channel for the show would be channel 4. I thought it would be a good idea to research the channel's core values and content to give me a greater understanding about what style and tone we will be going for. My current idea of Channel 4 is that it is quite an adult channel with not a lot of content for a younger audience but it became evident that my assumption was very dated and completely the opposite. I went onto the channel's "greenhouse" website where they speak about the channel's core values and main facts about their improvements. 

Channel 4's statement

After seeing this statement I was quite surprised as I had not expected their channel 4 to have a larger share than some of the other channels mentioned.

Here is another image for Channel 4's proof of target audience. As you can see, the channel comes out on top as their viewers are mostly 16-34. Not only are they for a younger audience than I thought, when it comes to their news programmes, the 16-34's still come out on top in comparison to other leading channels. 

This tells me that channel 4 has news conventions that appeals to younger audience. They are applying the right formulas that has been working to engage their target audience. This means that the content we create must be able to do the same.

Not only do they have the higher number of 16-35 year olds, In that ratio they actually have a large number of lesbian and gay viewers, and also users with a disability. Thus meaning Channel 4 is a very diverse channel with viewers from a wide range of backgrounds 

I thought it would be a good idea to have a look at the content they create; 

When looking at their most popular part on their website, it is clear to understand why their target audience is 16-34 as they have a variety of doc-usoap/scripted reality content such as Made in Chelsea and celebs go dating, it is clear that the idea of celebrity culture as well as the notion of young people out in the world doing stuff (Gap Year) are all things that 

has attracted the target audience. 

By researching the channel, I now have a clear perspective on what type of audience our show is directed at. The only issue I have is the idea that our show is aimed at 16-44 which to me is very wide, it is unclear whether the content we produce will fit this brand if we are trying to aim it at 44 year olds too but this has really given me perspective on things and I will use this knowledge to create content to fit this brand.