Hey guys and gals, I am doing a study on Television culture from different areas of the globe. I live in the States, so I know how television has effected my way of life... I was wondering though since this site is so diverse, if I could get some help from you? Basically I'm just wondering if television is a "big deal", are there "hit" shows? How does the commercials (advertisements) reach out to your public? Any insights or information would be greatly appreciated. 
Paddy! 12 years ago
In the UK there are a fair amount of 'Reality' shows. Not like the scripted reality stuff in the states, although there are those here, shows like 'the only way is Essex', and 'Geordie shore', we have more shows like 'a day in the life of', and shows of that ilk. some are absolute dross, some can give an interesting insight Into a rather mundane occupation, I saw a programme called 'chicken shop', about a week in the life of a budget chicken take away last week. Not the first thing you'd pick to do a mini doc about, but myself, and many others found it interesting, informative, and pretty humorous.
Reality Contests like Xfactor and Britains got talent are big, although the former has wained slightly, Big Brother has stood the test and had a slight reinvention of late, with a fresh approach, which has helped a fair bit in my opinion. Celeb versions always do well too, as does 'I'm a celeb, get me out of here'. I think over here we love to see an insight into celeb lifestyle and enjoy seeing them warts n all, hence why thus show does well too.
Popular things over here are Soaps. Emmerdale, Eastenders, Coronation St, Hollyoaks, and they send my social media feeds haywire at times. I don't watch them personally, luckily, however I'm not the norm. They tend to affect pop culture a fair bit too, Aussie soaps have wained a lot, and we're huge in the 90's.
A presenting duo called 'Ant n Dec' usually have some game show or reality programme, and to be fair to them anything they touch turns to tv gold. They have a show that has just started again called Saturday Night Take Away, which brings back the age old family vs family, audience participation, game show. Sprinkle some celebs, add some humour and their own inimitable presenting style, and that equals ratings. I like that a lot, as does my entire family, and it's probably the only show we watch together.
Talk shows over here aren't that big, apart from Jeremy Kyle. I know he has released a version of his show in the states, however it seems a much 'watered down' version, and he doesn't appear to be his same sanctimonious, high horse self. Although a refreshing change from the softly softly approach, some people hate it. Personally I don't mind him, his approach is a bit like Steve Wilkos, just more structured, and nobody shouting 'STEEEEEVE' every second, which really annoys me!
Advertisements don't reach me that much, as I tend to hardly ever watch 'live' tv, with PVR and TiVo, I can FF them, plus with the good Ol BBC we don't see adverts on there. BBC programming, in my opinion, is some of the best in the world. Shows like Dr Who, Torchwood and Merlin have been on for ages, and the nature programmes done by them are seriously mindblowing. With the expansion of digital services and extra channels, adding other programmes and diversifying has become easier, with comedy shows that wouldn't of gotten commissioned previously been granted. Shows like pramface, mongrels, worlds greatest fools - with the hilarious Mr T, and the like.
In summation, our tv over here is very diverse, it affects pop culture, gives discussion points over coffee with friends, and brings family's together. From soaps to nature docs, from talk shows to sci if programmes, we have it all. And I fucking love it!
Reality Contests like Xfactor and Britains got talent are big, although the former has wained slightly, Big Brother has stood the test and had a slight reinvention of late, with a fresh approach, which has helped a fair bit in my opinion. Celeb versions always do well too, as does 'I'm a celeb, get me out of here'. I think over here we love to see an insight into celeb lifestyle and enjoy seeing them warts n all, hence why thus show does well too.
Popular things over here are Soaps. Emmerdale, Eastenders, Coronation St, Hollyoaks, and they send my social media feeds haywire at times. I don't watch them personally, luckily, however I'm not the norm. They tend to affect pop culture a fair bit too, Aussie soaps have wained a lot, and we're huge in the 90's.
A presenting duo called 'Ant n Dec' usually have some game show or reality programme, and to be fair to them anything they touch turns to tv gold. They have a show that has just started again called Saturday Night Take Away, which brings back the age old family vs family, audience participation, game show. Sprinkle some celebs, add some humour and their own inimitable presenting style, and that equals ratings. I like that a lot, as does my entire family, and it's probably the only show we watch together.
Talk shows over here aren't that big, apart from Jeremy Kyle. I know he has released a version of his show in the states, however it seems a much 'watered down' version, and he doesn't appear to be his same sanctimonious, high horse self. Although a refreshing change from the softly softly approach, some people hate it. Personally I don't mind him, his approach is a bit like Steve Wilkos, just more structured, and nobody shouting 'STEEEEEVE' every second, which really annoys me!
Advertisements don't reach me that much, as I tend to hardly ever watch 'live' tv, with PVR and TiVo, I can FF them, plus with the good Ol BBC we don't see adverts on there. BBC programming, in my opinion, is some of the best in the world. Shows like Dr Who, Torchwood and Merlin have been on for ages, and the nature programmes done by them are seriously mindblowing. With the expansion of digital services and extra channels, adding other programmes and diversifying has become easier, with comedy shows that wouldn't of gotten commissioned previously been granted. Shows like pramface, mongrels, worlds greatest fools - with the hilarious Mr T, and the like.
In summation, our tv over here is very diverse, it affects pop culture, gives discussion points over coffee with friends, and brings family's together. From soaps to nature docs, from talk shows to sci if programmes, we have it all. And I fucking love it!
* This post has been modified
: 12 years ago
