FINANCIAL WORRIES:
In the UK, television is funded by TV licenses of citizens. This fully funds main television channels such as BBC and ITV. Between 2012-2017, studies have shown that Netflix has been continuously surpassing TV viewers, whilst the number of Television viewers have steadily been going down. The Covid-19 pandemic has likely added to this trend, as people are now stuck at home with more free time on their hands, more shows, movies and series have been made available on Netflix and other streaming services, and discounts have also been made to encourage more viewers. This evidently may cause a problem, as with less TV viewers, less people will be worried about their TV licenses as more focus will be shifted towards online options, and with time this may eventually correlate to major TV establishments running out of viewers and possible shut down. In addition, the TV industry has been forced to compete with streaming services and online platforms, in which the TV industry most commonly has a financial disadvantage. It is known that in the streaming world, major film companies like marvel have exceptionally high budgets for movies, and smaller companies like the CW, who have created shows such as Riverdale, also have high filming budgets. These high budgets allow for more casting, more sophisticated equipment, increased location options etc, which often will produce a high quality engaging show/ movie. The TV industry is less likely to have these advantages, making it more challenging to compete with the growing industry of film and streaming services.
PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING ISSUES:
In order to ensure that the audience is informed on what they’re about to watch, age ratings and disclaimers are illustrated, usually at the top corner of the screen for the viewer to see. Disclaimers for strong language nudity and other elements of that sort are clearly shown before the show begins. Age ratings are important, especially for children safety, as some films and shows are not suitable for children under a certain age, and parents must be informed of the regulations to ensure they consent to what their child may be seeing or hearing. These regulations, in the UK, are made by the BBFC, British Board of Film Classification. Their censorship rules are shown below.
U - Universal
"A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for pre-school children, this will be indicated in the BBFC insight."
PG - Parental Guidance
"General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children."
12A/12 - Only suitable for persons of 12 years and older
"Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the BBFC insight for that film in advance. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work."
15 - Only suitable for persons of 15 years and older
"No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work."
18 - Only suitable for persons of 18 years and older.
"No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video work. Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment."
R18 - Supplied only in licensed shops.
"The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18 video works may not be supplied by mail order."
U - Universal
"A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child. U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for pre-school children, this will be indicated in the BBFC insight."
PG - Parental Guidance
"General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. A PG film should not unsettle a child aged around eight or older. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch, but parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger, or more sensitive, children."
12A/12 - Only suitable for persons of 12 years and older
"Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the BBFC insight for that film in advance. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work."
15 - Only suitable for persons of 15 years and older
"No one younger than 15 may see a 15 film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a 15 rated video work."
18 - Only suitable for persons of 18 years and older.
"No one younger than 18 may see an 18 film in a cinema. No one younger than 18 may rent or buy an 18 rated video work. Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment."
R18 - Supplied only in licensed shops.
"The R18 category is a special and legally-restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may only be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops. R18 video works may not be supplied by mail order."
TASTE AND DECENCY:
Some shows in the UK are classed as unsuitable for all young audiences, under the rules and regulations of the BBFC, which means that some of these shows must be shown after the watershed. The watershed is a period of time in which shows with explicit nature can be shown on TV between 9:00pm and 5:30am. There is no watershed on PIN protected channels such as Sky Cinema, on that type of channel, trying to view adult material before 9:00pm requires a PIN. This is a good way to ensure there is content for all audiences, with specific times for each channel. For example Cbeebies, a children's channel under BBC, ends at 7pm, ensuring that children can go to sleep early and they have watched at a suitable time, which would be after school; leaving the more adult aimed content till a later hour, which again is more suitable. This window of time allows for all sorts of content to be shown, ranging from 15-18+ rated films, horror channels, and vulgar or explicit reality shows. One example of a show shown after the watershed was the show Chewing Gum(2015-2017) a sitcom based on elements of relationships, sex and religion. Due to the nature of the show and the language and imagery shown, this had to be shown after the watershed, and was advised for viewers to be minimum 16 years of age.
THEORIES:
Two step flow theory:
The Two Step Flow Theory suggests that opinion leaders pay close attention to the mass media and pass on their interpretation of media messages to others. Unlike the Hypodermic Needle Theory, The Two Step Flow Theory maintains that audiences are active participants in the communication process. This theory is commonly applicable to those who watch news channels and other channels of that sort.
Gratifications theory:
In 1970, a theory was created which stated how there are four main reasons why audience members consume certain texts produced by the media, them being to identify, educate, entertain and interact with the audience. Uses and Gratifications theory is important when it comes to determining which audience member applies to what specific category in television. In addition to the four reasons stated above, the uses and gratifications theory also considers surveillance, identification, diversion and entertainment.
The Two Step Flow Theory suggests that opinion leaders pay close attention to the mass media and pass on their interpretation of media messages to others. Unlike the Hypodermic Needle Theory, The Two Step Flow Theory maintains that audiences are active participants in the communication process. This theory is commonly applicable to those who watch news channels and other channels of that sort.
Gratifications theory:
In 1970, a theory was created which stated how there are four main reasons why audience members consume certain texts produced by the media, them being to identify, educate, entertain and interact with the audience. Uses and Gratifications theory is important when it comes to determining which audience member applies to what specific category in television. In addition to the four reasons stated above, the uses and gratifications theory also considers surveillance, identification, diversion and entertainment.