Doctor Who: Industry and Audience

 Audience

1) Who is the target audience for Doctor Who? Has it changed since 1963?

Originally i think the target audience for Doctor Who was male young adults but since 1963 i think this has changed to a different variety of ages and also targeted to both genders as since 1963 Doctor Who now has a female doctor instead of male.

2) What audience psychographic groups might particularly enjoy Doctor Who?

I think that the mainstreamers would particularly enjoy Doctor Who as it is a mainstream and widely popular show. The resigned may also enjoy this show as Doctor Who is a long running show which gives it a sense of familiarity. 

3) What audience pleasures are offered by An Unearthly Child? Apply Blumler and Katz's Uses and Gratifications theory to the episode. Make sure you provide specific examples from the episode to support your ideas.

Personal Identity: The characters in this episode are of all ages and there are both women and men, allowing a vast majority of their audience to relate to the characters.

Personal Relationships: The majority if characters in this episode are likeable, and since the episode ends on a cliffhanger, the audience is left to wonder what will happen next to their characters.

Diversion (Escapism): The show includes fictional and unique situations that wouldn't happen in real life, but are entertaining and could be seen as an escape to another world.

Surveillance (Information / Facts): The show does include some historical knowledge but not much therefore the audience may not learn a lot information from this show.

4) What additional Uses and Gratifications would this episode provide to a modern 2020 audience?

To a more modern 2020 audience An Unearthly Child would be partially information and entertainment.

5) Thinking of the 3 Vs audience pleasures (Visceral, Vicarious and Voyeuristic pleasures), which of these can be applied to An Unearthly Child?

In An Unearthly Child, the main audience pleasure that can be gained is Vicarious Pleasures, as the audience can easily relate to and experience things through the characters of the show.

Industries

 1) What was the television industry like in 1963? How many channels were there?

The television industry in 1963 was very minimal, with only 3 different channels available.

2) Why is Doctor Who such an important franchise for the BBC?

It generates some of the most income for the BBC, and it is one of the most iconic British shows ever produced.

3) How does Doctor Who meet the BBC's mission statement to 'inform, educate and entertain'?

The show is entertaining to their audience as it provides drama and action throughout it's episodes. The show could also be argued as being educational as it does sometimes use science based in reality. Part of the BBC's statement is also to reflect the United Kingdom, and the Doctor is exceptionally british therefore completes the statement.

4) How is the BBC funded?

The BBC is a public service organisation and people must sign up to a TV licence to watch the channels.

5) Who regulates the BBC and what is the watershed?

Since 2017 the BBC is regulated by OfCOM, The Office Of Communications. The watershed is 9pm and it is there to ensure any inappropriate shows is shown before then, to avoid younger audiences being exposed to those shows.