Microsoft abandons Yahoo bid
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/may/04/microsoft.yahoo
Microsoft's attempt to buy internet company Yahoo has collapsed after the software firm refused to meet Yahoo's asking price.
Announcing he was pulling out of the purchase, Microsoft's chief executive, Steve Ballmer, said in a letter to his Yahoo counterpart,Jerry Yang, that Microsoft had raised its offer to $47.5bn or $33 per share but was unprepared to meet the $53bn Yahoo wanted. That would have been nearly double Yahoo's share price of $19.18 at the time Microsoft declared its interest three months ago.
Microsoft wanted to buy Yahoo to enable it to compete with Google in the lucrative market for Internet advertising, worth $40bn in 2007 and predicted to double in value by 2010.
The software giant hoped the latest move would offer greater choice to advertisers, increased research and development spending and a route to removing overhead costs.
Yang said: "With the distraction of Microsoft's unsolicited proposal now behind us, we will be able to focus all of our energies on executing the most important transition in our history so that we can maximise our potential to the benefit of our shareholders, employees, partners and users."
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Microsoft to get tough with Yahoo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/29/microsoft.yahootakeover
Wall Street expects Microsoft to enter a protracted period of "trench warfare" in its attempt to buy Yahoo after the failure of its three-month-long attempt to bring the online company's board to the negotiating table. It is expected to launch a proxy battle and try to oust the Yahoo executive team while encouraging investors to accept its original $31-a-share offer, with the first shot fired possibly as early as this week. With the passing, on Saturday, of the deadline that Microsoft had set Yahoo to enter into negotiations without any comment from either side, shares in both companies declined yesterday, valuing Microsoft's bid at about $42.7bn.
Disappointing earnings figures from Microsoft last week prompted questions about whether the Windows software firm is in sufficiently hearty health to succeed with a hostile bid. But conversely Kessler said Microsoft's sluggish performance made the takeover all the more crucial.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/apr/29/microsoft.yahootakeover
Wall Street expects Microsoft to enter a protracted period of "trench warfare" in its attempt to buy Yahoo after the failure of its three-month-long attempt to bring the online company's board to the negotiating table. It is expected to launch a proxy battle and try to oust the Yahoo executive team while encouraging investors to accept its original $31-a-share offer, with the first shot fired possibly as early as this week. With the passing, on Saturday, of the deadline that Microsoft had set Yahoo to enter into negotiations without any comment from either side, shares in both companies declined yesterday, valuing Microsoft's bid at about $42.7bn.
Disappointing earnings figures from Microsoft last week prompted questions about whether the Windows software firm is in sufficiently hearty health to succeed with a hostile bid. But conversely Kessler said Microsoft's sluggish performance made the takeover all the more crucial.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
CondéNet UK overhauls Vogue.com
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/22/condenast.digitalmedia
CondéNet UK is preparing to roll out an overhauled version of Vogue.com on May 7, expanding its editorial coverage, harmonising international editions and unveiling high-profile fashion celebrities for its blogs and video reports. The Vogue TV video section is being expanded to include more behind-the-scenes footage and reports presented by personalities including model Agyness Deyn and designers Henry Holland and Manolo Blahnik. Vogue.com's popular Street Chic section, a significant traffic driver to the site, will become a daily feature. Image galleries will include a magnifier tool, allowing users to see clothes close enough to see stitching and zip details. The site, which claims around 1.2 million unique users each month, has been designed with a universal template across all 140-language versions, which means ad campaigns can easily be run across different territories.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/22/condenast.digitalmedia
CondéNet UK is preparing to roll out an overhauled version of Vogue.com on May 7, expanding its editorial coverage, harmonising international editions and unveiling high-profile fashion celebrities for its blogs and video reports. The Vogue TV video section is being expanded to include more behind-the-scenes footage and reports presented by personalities including model Agyness Deyn and designers Henry Holland and Manolo Blahnik. Vogue.com's popular Street Chic section, a significant traffic driver to the site, will become a daily feature. Image galleries will include a magnifier tool, allowing users to see clothes close enough to see stitching and zip details. The site, which claims around 1.2 million unique users each month, has been designed with a universal template across all 140-language versions, which means ad campaigns can easily be run across different territories.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
MySpace launches Korean service
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/15/myspace.web20
MySpace today moved in on one of the world's most competitive social networking markets, rolling out a localised version for South Korea. The News Corporation-owned site has, like the rest of MySpace's 28 other regional versions, been customised to appeal to the Korean market with a simplified design, local TV and music content and a new "minilogs" feature - diary notes that can be customised with animations and colours.
However, the site faces stiff competition in South Korea, where local site Cyworld is reportedly used by as much as 90% of the country's under-20s.
The Korean-language version of MySpace follows the launch of a Spanish version for north America's Latino audience
This article shows MySpaces's popularity and also they want to carry on being successful, which would mean breaking into competitive markets. In South Korea the competitor for News Corporation is Cyworld, as South Koreans are the worlds most regular users of social networking websites. In addition to most of the country having a fast Internet connection
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/15/myspace.web20
MySpace today moved in on one of the world's most competitive social networking markets, rolling out a localised version for South Korea. The News Corporation-owned site has, like the rest of MySpace's 28 other regional versions, been customised to appeal to the Korean market with a simplified design, local TV and music content and a new "minilogs" feature - diary notes that can be customised with animations and colours.
However, the site faces stiff competition in South Korea, where local site Cyworld is reportedly used by as much as 90% of the country's under-20s.
The Korean-language version of MySpace follows the launch of a Spanish version for north America's Latino audience
This article shows MySpaces's popularity and also they want to carry on being successful, which would mean breaking into competitive markets. In South Korea the competitor for News Corporation is Cyworld, as South Koreans are the worlds most regular users of social networking websites. In addition to most of the country having a fast Internet connection
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Text one is ‘The Sun Online’ homepage (02/04/08), the purpose of this text is to inform audiences of the day’s top stories. Text two is the’ BBC News report about the Tiananmen Square massacre’ (04/06/89), the purpose of this text is to inform audiences about what has happened.
The main headline on The Sun homepage is ‘Transatlantic Terror on Trial’ and with the caption ‘to use liquid explosives to blow up passenger jets’, the pictures used appear to be mug shots. Also this could create a moral panic (Cohen) amongst readers and also make some readers doubt flying. This article also appears to be sensationalised an aspect which is used in most tabloid (red top) newspapers.
The majority of the homepage consists of soft news (Galtung and Ruge) this would include celebrity gossip such as ‘Naomi Campbell arrested’ or ‘Becks tops porn poll’. This indicates what The Sun readers want to read, as the newspaper is targeted at C1, C2 and below and uses more informal language. In comparison to other newspaper websites such as The Guardian, The Sun has a more visual approach as the webpage features more pictures than writing.
The BBC news report is both informative and educational as it provides information on the events that happened in Tiananmen Square, but also establishes the BBC as a global institution providing coverage on events happening around the world, as this news report is likely to have interested those who keep up to date with world politics (hard news), therefore target audiences for the BBC would have been middle and upper class.
The report highlights the corrupt Chinese government and the fear that citizens live in as the reporter states that people were shot sitting in their own homes. At present news reports of government corruption have increased, which would have resulted in more people taking an interest in these issues.
Also the reporter is a white female who may be represented the hegemonic view of the BBC as she is injecting audiences (hypodermic needle model) with ‘white ideologies’, which the BBC has been criticized for.
But since the 1980s audiences have been able to gather information from a variety of news sources such as the internet or other news channels and are able to form their own opinion about the event being reported.
But the female reporter is represented as being educated and professional as many women may not have wanted to report from a country where civilians were being killed in front of them. In contrast to The Sun homepage where there is a picture of a Page 3 girl and another of Cameron Diaz in a bikini, these women have been featured on the page for the male gaze (Laura Mulvey) and are being sexually objectified; an aspect which is common in The Sun newspaper which features a Page 3 girl, reinforcing audiences with male ideologies as she has been placed there just for pleasure.
The Sun represents owner Rupert Murdoch who could be seen as a gatekeeper, he decides which stories make headlines and which do not, as information may have been mediated so that it is suitable for the target audience.
Since the majority of newspapers have gone online it has proved to be more effective as on the internet news can be updated throughout the day whereas a news report may only be shown once on the news. The Sun also proves that it caters for all audiences by providing news via ‘paper, online, mobile’. The BBC also has a website and offers a similar service to readers such as alerts sent to mobiles, emails and podcasts. This shows that institutions are trying to cater for the needs of different audiences by offering different forms of receiving news.
The BBC is known for bringing global issues to the attention of readers and listeners, whether it is protests or foreign elections. However the news featured in The Sun tends to be from either Britain or America, as many American celebrities are making headlines in the U.K. For example Jennifer Aniston is featured on the Sun homepage – for smuggling smarties on a film set she is working on.
The main headline on The Sun homepage is ‘Transatlantic Terror on Trial’ and with the caption ‘to use liquid explosives to blow up passenger jets’, the pictures used appear to be mug shots. Also this could create a moral panic (Cohen) amongst readers and also make some readers doubt flying. This article also appears to be sensationalised an aspect which is used in most tabloid (red top) newspapers.
The majority of the homepage consists of soft news (Galtung and Ruge) this would include celebrity gossip such as ‘Naomi Campbell arrested’ or ‘Becks tops porn poll’. This indicates what The Sun readers want to read, as the newspaper is targeted at C1, C2 and below and uses more informal language. In comparison to other newspaper websites such as The Guardian, The Sun has a more visual approach as the webpage features more pictures than writing.
The BBC news report is both informative and educational as it provides information on the events that happened in Tiananmen Square, but also establishes the BBC as a global institution providing coverage on events happening around the world, as this news report is likely to have interested those who keep up to date with world politics (hard news), therefore target audiences for the BBC would have been middle and upper class.
The report highlights the corrupt Chinese government and the fear that citizens live in as the reporter states that people were shot sitting in their own homes. At present news reports of government corruption have increased, which would have resulted in more people taking an interest in these issues.
Also the reporter is a white female who may be represented the hegemonic view of the BBC as she is injecting audiences (hypodermic needle model) with ‘white ideologies’, which the BBC has been criticized for.
But since the 1980s audiences have been able to gather information from a variety of news sources such as the internet or other news channels and are able to form their own opinion about the event being reported.
But the female reporter is represented as being educated and professional as many women may not have wanted to report from a country where civilians were being killed in front of them. In contrast to The Sun homepage where there is a picture of a Page 3 girl and another of Cameron Diaz in a bikini, these women have been featured on the page for the male gaze (Laura Mulvey) and are being sexually objectified; an aspect which is common in The Sun newspaper which features a Page 3 girl, reinforcing audiences with male ideologies as she has been placed there just for pleasure.
The Sun represents owner Rupert Murdoch who could be seen as a gatekeeper, he decides which stories make headlines and which do not, as information may have been mediated so that it is suitable for the target audience.
Since the majority of newspapers have gone online it has proved to be more effective as on the internet news can be updated throughout the day whereas a news report may only be shown once on the news. The Sun also proves that it caters for all audiences by providing news via ‘paper, online, mobile’. The BBC also has a website and offers a similar service to readers such as alerts sent to mobiles, emails and podcasts. This shows that institutions are trying to cater for the needs of different audiences by offering different forms of receiving news.
The BBC is known for bringing global issues to the attention of readers and listeners, whether it is protests or foreign elections. However the news featured in The Sun tends to be from either Britain or America, as many American celebrities are making headlines in the U.K. For example Jennifer Aniston is featured on the Sun homepage – for smuggling smarties on a film set she is working on.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
2000s
2000
- DVD players become world’s fastest selling home electronics device.
- George W Bush declared president
- Launch of Big Brother
- Launch of ITN News Channel
2001
- US terror attacks. Two planes crash into the World Trade Centre Towers and the Pentagon
- In response to the terror attacks, US and British forces launch a bombing campaign on the Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorist camps in Afghanistan
- Race riots in Cincinnati continue for several days following a shooting of an unarmed black man by a white police officer
2002
- Live autopsy on Channel 4
- Launch of BBC Four
- India's worst Hindu-Muslim violence in a decade rocked the state of Gujarat after a Muslim mob fire-bombed a train, killing Hindu activists
- MTV reportedly reaches 250 million homes worldwide
2003
- Space shuttle Columbia explodes, killing all 7 astronauts
- The Recording Industry Association of America cracked down on people who illegally swapped more than 1,000 songs over the Internet, filing lawsuits against hundreds of people. Apple Computer, however, made downloading both affordable and easy with its iTune Music Store
- Saddam Hussein is captured by American troops
- Leni Riefenstahl dies (Triumph of the Will)
2004
- Asian tsunami
- Hutton report published
- Spain is rocked by terrorist attacks, killing more than 200
- Michael Moore - Fahrenheit 9/11
- Mel Gibson – Passion of the Christ – angered Jews
- The secret policemen (BBC) – documentary which uncovered institutionalised racism within the police force.
- Crash
2005
- Desperate Housewives
- Tony Blair becomes first Labour Party prime minister to win three successive terms, but his party loses a large number of seats in the elections
- London hit by Islamic terrorist bombings, killing 52 and wounding about 700
- Youtube Is launched
- Worldwide aid pours in to help the eleven Asian countries devastated by the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami
2006
- The Walt Disney Co. pays $7.4 billion for Pixar Animation Studios
- A Danish newspaper challenges taboos against illustrations of Muhammad by printing several negative cartoons depicting him
- Series of bombs explode on commuter trains in Mumbai, India during the evening rush hour
- Saddam Hussein is convicted of crimes against humanity by an Iraqi court
2007
- Benazir Bhutto assassinated
- Launch of the iphone
- Increase in fuel prices
- Al Gore – an inconvenient truth
2000
- DVD players become world’s fastest selling home electronics device.
- George W Bush declared president
- Launch of Big Brother
- Launch of ITN News Channel
2001
- US terror attacks. Two planes crash into the World Trade Centre Towers and the Pentagon
- In response to the terror attacks, US and British forces launch a bombing campaign on the Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorist camps in Afghanistan
- Race riots in Cincinnati continue for several days following a shooting of an unarmed black man by a white police officer
2002
- Live autopsy on Channel 4
- Launch of BBC Four
- India's worst Hindu-Muslim violence in a decade rocked the state of Gujarat after a Muslim mob fire-bombed a train, killing Hindu activists
- MTV reportedly reaches 250 million homes worldwide
2003
- Space shuttle Columbia explodes, killing all 7 astronauts
- The Recording Industry Association of America cracked down on people who illegally swapped more than 1,000 songs over the Internet, filing lawsuits against hundreds of people. Apple Computer, however, made downloading both affordable and easy with its iTune Music Store
- Saddam Hussein is captured by American troops
- Leni Riefenstahl dies (Triumph of the Will)
2004
- Asian tsunami
- Hutton report published
- Spain is rocked by terrorist attacks, killing more than 200
- Michael Moore - Fahrenheit 9/11
- Mel Gibson – Passion of the Christ – angered Jews
- The secret policemen (BBC) – documentary which uncovered institutionalised racism within the police force.
- Crash
2005
- Desperate Housewives
- Tony Blair becomes first Labour Party prime minister to win three successive terms, but his party loses a large number of seats in the elections
- London hit by Islamic terrorist bombings, killing 52 and wounding about 700
- Youtube Is launched
- Worldwide aid pours in to help the eleven Asian countries devastated by the Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami
2006
- The Walt Disney Co. pays $7.4 billion for Pixar Animation Studios
- A Danish newspaper challenges taboos against illustrations of Muhammad by printing several negative cartoons depicting him
- Series of bombs explode on commuter trains in Mumbai, India during the evening rush hour
- Saddam Hussein is convicted of crimes against humanity by an Iraqi court
2007
- Benazir Bhutto assassinated
- Launch of the iphone
- Increase in fuel prices
- Al Gore – an inconvenient truth
1990s
1990
- Margaret Thatcher steps down as prime minister
- GoodFellas
- South Africa frees Nelson Mandela
- Communist Party relinquish sole power in Soviet government
1991
- End of Persian Gulf War
- The Broadcasting Standards Council is set up to monitor sex, violence and bad language on radio and TV.
- In Europe, Internet sites more than triple in one year pass 100,000
1992
- Bill Clinton elected president
- 172 nations various address issues of environmental protection and sustainable development at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
- ‘The Big Breakfast’ begins on Channel 4
- US lift trade sanctions against China
1993
- Launch of GMTV
- Britain’s first home shopping channel QVC
- Five arrested, sixth sought in bombing of World Trade Centre in New York
- Clinton agrees to compromise on military's ban on homosexuals
- South Africa adopts majority rule constitution
1994
- Start of Yahoo search engine
- Time Warner creates WB television network
- IRA declare ceasefire in Northern Ireland
- ER and Friends debut on NBC
- South Africa holds first interracial national election (April 29); Nelson Mandela elected President.
- Thousands dead in Rwanda massacre
1995
- Amazon.com starts selling books online
- Terrorist’s car bomb blows up block-long Oklahoma City federal building
1996
- Hotmail.com – web based email service
- Clinton appoints Madeleine Albright as first female US secretary of state
- Pressured by the Federal Communications Commission, television broadcasters agree to include three hours a week of educational children's programming into their schedule.
- The Simpsons arrive at the BBC
- Britain alarmed by an outbreak of "mad cow" disease
1997
- Channel 5 launches
- News 24 launches
- US shuttle joins Russian space station
- European Union plans to admit six nations
- Tony Blair leads Labour to its greatest victory
1998
- ITV launches its first new channel ITV2
- Europeans agree on single currency, the euro
- President accused in White House sex scandal; denies allegations of affair with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky
- US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania bombed
- Viagra goes on sale
- Sex and the city
1999
- Channel 4 airs Mafia drama The Sopranos, sparking a debate on whether American television is better than British.
- Last transmission of ITV’s News at Ten
- Nelson Mandela, first black president of South Africa, steps down (June 16), and Thabo Mbeki takes over
- Total Eclipse
- Television cameras are allowed into the House of Commons for the first time on an experimental basis
- Pakistani government is overthrown in the midst of economic strife and intensified fighting with India over Kashmir
1990
- Margaret Thatcher steps down as prime minister
- GoodFellas
- South Africa frees Nelson Mandela
- Communist Party relinquish sole power in Soviet government
1991
- End of Persian Gulf War
- The Broadcasting Standards Council is set up to monitor sex, violence and bad language on radio and TV.
- In Europe, Internet sites more than triple in one year pass 100,000
1992
- Bill Clinton elected president
- 172 nations various address issues of environmental protection and sustainable development at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro
- ‘The Big Breakfast’ begins on Channel 4
- US lift trade sanctions against China
1993
- Launch of GMTV
- Britain’s first home shopping channel QVC
- Five arrested, sixth sought in bombing of World Trade Centre in New York
- Clinton agrees to compromise on military's ban on homosexuals
- South Africa adopts majority rule constitution
1994
- Start of Yahoo search engine
- Time Warner creates WB television network
- IRA declare ceasefire in Northern Ireland
- ER and Friends debut on NBC
- South Africa holds first interracial national election (April 29); Nelson Mandela elected President.
- Thousands dead in Rwanda massacre
1995
- Amazon.com starts selling books online
- Terrorist’s car bomb blows up block-long Oklahoma City federal building
1996
- Hotmail.com – web based email service
- Clinton appoints Madeleine Albright as first female US secretary of state
- Pressured by the Federal Communications Commission, television broadcasters agree to include three hours a week of educational children's programming into their schedule.
- The Simpsons arrive at the BBC
- Britain alarmed by an outbreak of "mad cow" disease
1997
- Channel 5 launches
- News 24 launches
- US shuttle joins Russian space station
- European Union plans to admit six nations
- Tony Blair leads Labour to its greatest victory
1998
- ITV launches its first new channel ITV2
- Europeans agree on single currency, the euro
- President accused in White House sex scandal; denies allegations of affair with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky
- US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania bombed
- Viagra goes on sale
- Sex and the city
1999
- Channel 4 airs Mafia drama The Sopranos, sparking a debate on whether American television is better than British.
- Last transmission of ITV’s News at Ten
- Nelson Mandela, first black president of South Africa, steps down (June 16), and Thabo Mbeki takes over
- Total Eclipse
- Television cameras are allowed into the House of Commons for the first time on an experimental basis
- Pakistani government is overthrown in the midst of economic strife and intensified fighting with India over Kashmir
1980s
1980
- Children in Need
- CNN is launched by Ted Turner
- US break diplomatic ties with Iran
- BBC drama featuring women cops
- Ronald Reagan elected president in Republican sweep
- ‘Who shot JR?’ prompted a national obsession over who the killer was. Dallas was a popular primetime soap which led to the spin offs Knots Landing and Dynasty.
1981
- MTV is launched on air 24/7
- First woman on US supreme court - Sandra Day O'Connor
- Air controllers strike
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Supreme Court allows television cameras in the court room
- Introduction of the Police Complaints Authority, aimed at improving trust between ethnic minority communities and the police force
1982
- Falklands war
- Launch of Channel 4
- E.T
- MRI diagnostic machines introduced in Britain
- Brookside aired on Channel 4
1983
- Breakfast TV on BBC
- CD’s go on sale
-US Supreme Court declares many local abortion restrictions unconstitutional
1984
- Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards.
- Apple introduces the user-friendly Macintosh personal computer
- Michael Buerk reports about the famine in Ethiopia which prompts a public response
- Italy and Vatican agree to end Roman Catholicism as state religion
- The Supreme Court rules that taping television shows at home on VCRs does not violate copyright law
1985
- Coca-Cola attempts to change its 99-year-old formula in an effort to attract younger drinkers. "New" Coke is poorly received, and the company soon reintroduces the original, "Classic" beverage
- 50 newspapers now offer online access to news texts.
- First episode of eastenders aired on BBC1, seen as a response to ITV’s Coronation Street
- Mikhail Gorbachev becomes soviet leader. He is described as ‘an orthodox Marxist’
1986
- ‘Don’t die of ignorance’ AIDS campaign
- Major nuclear accident at Soviet Union's Chernobyl power station alarms world
- US Supreme Court bars racial bias in trial jury selection
- FOX television network created
- Supreme Court affirms abortion rights
1987
- Women Priests in Church of England
- Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wins a rare third term
- Supreme Court rules that rotary clubs must admit women
- Fatal Attraction
1988
- The British government tries to get extracts from Peter Wright’s book ‘Spycatcher’ banned – as it included some controversial revelations.
- Benazir Bhutto, first Islamic woman prime minister, chosen to lead Pakistan
- The government fails to prevent an investigative documentary on British Special Forces controversial killing of 3 IRA gunmen.
1989
- Fall of the Berlin Wall
- SKY launches the UK’s first satellite television service
- Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini declares author Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses offensive and sentences him to death
- Tiananmen Square massacre
- First World Wide Web server and browser developed
- The Simpsons makes debut on FOX TV
1980
- Children in Need
- CNN is launched by Ted Turner
- US break diplomatic ties with Iran
- BBC drama featuring women cops
- Ronald Reagan elected president in Republican sweep
- ‘Who shot JR?’ prompted a national obsession over who the killer was. Dallas was a popular primetime soap which led to the spin offs Knots Landing and Dynasty.
1981
- MTV is launched on air 24/7
- First woman on US supreme court - Sandra Day O'Connor
- Air controllers strike
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Supreme Court allows television cameras in the court room
- Introduction of the Police Complaints Authority, aimed at improving trust between ethnic minority communities and the police force
1982
- Falklands war
- Launch of Channel 4
- E.T
- MRI diagnostic machines introduced in Britain
- Brookside aired on Channel 4
1983
- Breakfast TV on BBC
- CD’s go on sale
-US Supreme Court declares many local abortion restrictions unconstitutional
1984
- Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards.
- Apple introduces the user-friendly Macintosh personal computer
- Michael Buerk reports about the famine in Ethiopia which prompts a public response
- Italy and Vatican agree to end Roman Catholicism as state religion
- The Supreme Court rules that taping television shows at home on VCRs does not violate copyright law
1985
- Coca-Cola attempts to change its 99-year-old formula in an effort to attract younger drinkers. "New" Coke is poorly received, and the company soon reintroduces the original, "Classic" beverage
- 50 newspapers now offer online access to news texts.
- First episode of eastenders aired on BBC1, seen as a response to ITV’s Coronation Street
- Mikhail Gorbachev becomes soviet leader. He is described as ‘an orthodox Marxist’
1986
- ‘Don’t die of ignorance’ AIDS campaign
- Major nuclear accident at Soviet Union's Chernobyl power station alarms world
- US Supreme Court bars racial bias in trial jury selection
- FOX television network created
- Supreme Court affirms abortion rights
1987
- Women Priests in Church of England
- Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher wins a rare third term
- Supreme Court rules that rotary clubs must admit women
- Fatal Attraction
1988
- The British government tries to get extracts from Peter Wright’s book ‘Spycatcher’ banned – as it included some controversial revelations.
- Benazir Bhutto, first Islamic woman prime minister, chosen to lead Pakistan
- The government fails to prevent an investigative documentary on British Special Forces controversial killing of 3 IRA gunmen.
1989
- Fall of the Berlin Wall
- SKY launches the UK’s first satellite television service
- Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini declares author Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses offensive and sentences him to death
- Tiananmen Square massacre
- First World Wide Web server and browser developed
- The Simpsons makes debut on FOX TV
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
1970s
1970
- IBM introduces the floppy disc
- Bar codes are introduced for retail and industrial use (UK)
1971
- UK is not using shillings
1972
- Newsround – news programme for kids
- Eleven Israeli athletes are killed at the Olympic Games in Munich
- Supreme Court rules that death penalty is unconstitutional
- HBO – the first pay cable network
- Bloody Sunday – peaceful civil rights march in Derry descends into chaos, British paratroopers open fire
- The Godfather
1973
- First teletext system is devised by BBC technicians
- Watergate trial involving President Nixon
- Cell phone invented
- Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark enter the European Economic Community
1974
- Nixon Resigns
- Debut of People Magazine
- The Godfather II
- U.S. newspapers start to replace reporters’ typewriters with terminals.
1975
- Jaws
- US networks ABC, CBS, NBC create a ‘family hour’ an early evening time slot that is free of violence and sex.
- VCR’s are developed in Japan by Sony
- Equal Pay Act
1976
- The Steadicam is used for the first time in Rocky
- British Airways begins scheduled commercial flights
- Supreme Court rules that blacks and other minorities are entitled to retroactive job seniority
1977
- Star Wars
- Queen Elizabeth II celebrates silver jubilee
- Supreme Court rules that states are not required to spend Medicaid funds on elective abortions
1978
- Jonestown Massacre - 900 members of reverend Jim Jones’ cult after a mass suicide/murder
- Delia Smith runs a basic TV cookery course to revive enthusiasm for cooking at home.
- Hewlett-Packard begins development of inkjet printer
1979
- Margaret Thatcher wins general election
- BBC’s Ceefax service offers subtitling for programmes
- Rap music goes beyond the streets of New York
- Soviet invasion of Afghanistan stirs world protest
1970
- IBM introduces the floppy disc
- Bar codes are introduced for retail and industrial use (UK)
1971
- UK is not using shillings
1972
- Newsround – news programme for kids
- Eleven Israeli athletes are killed at the Olympic Games in Munich
- Supreme Court rules that death penalty is unconstitutional
- HBO – the first pay cable network
- Bloody Sunday – peaceful civil rights march in Derry descends into chaos, British paratroopers open fire
- The Godfather
1973
- First teletext system is devised by BBC technicians
- Watergate trial involving President Nixon
- Cell phone invented
- Great Britain, Ireland and Denmark enter the European Economic Community
1974
- Nixon Resigns
- Debut of People Magazine
- The Godfather II
- U.S. newspapers start to replace reporters’ typewriters with terminals.
1975
- Jaws
- US networks ABC, CBS, NBC create a ‘family hour’ an early evening time slot that is free of violence and sex.
- VCR’s are developed in Japan by Sony
- Equal Pay Act
1976
- The Steadicam is used for the first time in Rocky
- British Airways begins scheduled commercial flights
- Supreme Court rules that blacks and other minorities are entitled to retroactive job seniority
1977
- Star Wars
- Queen Elizabeth II celebrates silver jubilee
- Supreme Court rules that states are not required to spend Medicaid funds on elective abortions
1978
- Jonestown Massacre - 900 members of reverend Jim Jones’ cult after a mass suicide/murder
- Delia Smith runs a basic TV cookery course to revive enthusiasm for cooking at home.
- Hewlett-Packard begins development of inkjet printer
1979
- Margaret Thatcher wins general election
- BBC’s Ceefax service offers subtitling for programmes
- Rap music goes beyond the streets of New York
- Soviet invasion of Afghanistan stirs world protest
1960s
1960
- Kennedy elected president
- Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho becomes one of the year’s most successful films
- NASA launches the first weather satellite
- The Pill goes on sale
- Communist China and Soviet Union split in conflict over Communist ideology
1961
- U.S. breaks diplomatic relations with Cub
- First episode of Songs Of praise
- Anti Castro exiles invade Cuba; they were either killed or captured.
1962
- Dr No begins the James Bong series
- First University Challenge aired on Granada TV
- Marilyn Monroe dies
- The first transatlantic television transmission occurs via the Telstar Satellite, making worldwide television and cable networks a reality
- Government regulations force studios out of the talent agency business
1963
- John F Kennedy assassinated
- Civil rights march – 200,000 blacks and whites held on Washington D.C
- Kenya achieves independence
1964
- Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment
- BBC2 Launch
- Launch of Top of the Pops
- Pirate” ships broadcast off English coast, challenge BBC monopoly
1965
- Vietnam War becomes first war to be televised
- British ban televised cigarette advertising
- Bill Cosby – first African American to headline a show
- Malcolm X shot
- Riots in Watts, LA
- Tomorrow’s world (BBC) – showcase on new inventions and technologies
1966
- England wins the world cup
- Psycho (1960) was deemed to violent for home viewing
- Insulin is first synthesized
- Xerox sells fax machine
1967
- Rolling Stone and New York Magazine debut
- News at ten – first extended news programme on ITV
- Congress creates PBS
- First heart transplant
1968
- Martin Luther King assassinated
- First issue of Time Out
- Students riot in Paris – objecting to the apparent closure of a university
- Hollywood adopts an age based rating system
1969
- BBC1 and ITV begin broadcasting in colour
- Man lands on the moon
- Sesame Street
- beginning of Gay Rights movement
- US president is Nixon
1960
- Kennedy elected president
- Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho becomes one of the year’s most successful films
- NASA launches the first weather satellite
- The Pill goes on sale
- Communist China and Soviet Union split in conflict over Communist ideology
1961
- U.S. breaks diplomatic relations with Cub
- First episode of Songs Of praise
- Anti Castro exiles invade Cuba; they were either killed or captured.
1962
- Dr No begins the James Bong series
- First University Challenge aired on Granada TV
- Marilyn Monroe dies
- The first transatlantic television transmission occurs via the Telstar Satellite, making worldwide television and cable networks a reality
- Government regulations force studios out of the talent agency business
1963
- John F Kennedy assassinated
- Civil rights march – 200,000 blacks and whites held on Washington D.C
- Kenya achieves independence
1964
- Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment
- BBC2 Launch
- Launch of Top of the Pops
- Pirate” ships broadcast off English coast, challenge BBC monopoly
1965
- Vietnam War becomes first war to be televised
- British ban televised cigarette advertising
- Bill Cosby – first African American to headline a show
- Malcolm X shot
- Riots in Watts, LA
- Tomorrow’s world (BBC) – showcase on new inventions and technologies
1966
- England wins the world cup
- Psycho (1960) was deemed to violent for home viewing
- Insulin is first synthesized
- Xerox sells fax machine
1967
- Rolling Stone and New York Magazine debut
- News at ten – first extended news programme on ITV
- Congress creates PBS
- First heart transplant
1968
- Martin Luther King assassinated
- First issue of Time Out
- Students riot in Paris – objecting to the apparent closure of a university
- Hollywood adopts an age based rating system
1969
- BBC1 and ITV begin broadcasting in colour
- Man lands on the moon
- Sesame Street
- beginning of Gay Rights movement
- US president is Nixon
1950s
1950
- Saturday morning children’s programming begins
- Phone Vision, the first pay per view service begins
- The first Xerox machine is produced
- Assassination attempt on President Truman
- Korean War begins
- First broadcast from the House of Commons
1951
- Colour television introduced in the US and sets go on sale
- Japanese peace treaty signed
- First nuclear power plant built
- TV cameras allowed in 10 Downing Street
- British film censors add an X rating (indicates strong adult content)
1952
- Television's first magazine-format program, the Today show, debuts on NBC
- King George the VI dies, daughter becomes Elizabeth the II
- 3D movies
- Programme for deaf children (BBC)
- Identity cards abolished
1953
- Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
- First issue of the TV Guide magazine
- Panorama has a more cultural view (BBC)
- East Berliners rise against communist rule
- First successful open-heart surgery
- Julius and Ethel Rosenberg executed – for treason
- Hollywood develops wide screen processes i.e. CinemaScope
1954
- First in-vision weatherman
- Supreme Court rules against separate education for blacks and whites
- In U.S., television revenue surpasses radio revenue
- Disney ends Hollywood freeze, leads studios in producing television programs
- NBC broadcasts the World Series in colour for the first time.
- Television Act 1954 becomes Law
- Algerian War of Independence against France begins
1955
- Churchill resigns (April 5)
- Rosa Parks refuses to sit at the back of the bus, breaking segregated seating law. Martin Luther King, Jr, leads black boycott of Montgomery bus system.
- Gunsmoke debuts on CBS, and will go on to be television's longest-running western
- BBC’s monopoly on British television is over. ITV begins broadcasting as is allowed to host commercial adverts
1956
- The Wizard of Oz has its first airing on TV.
- First European cup final
- Morocco gains independence from France
1957
- Russia launches Sputnik I, first earth-orbiting satellite
- Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS, ushering in an era of television shows that depict the ideal American family.
1958
- Cinema verité (also called “direct cinema”) documentary technique
- Blue Peter airs on BBC
- The first CND protests (campaign for nuclear disarmament)
1959
- Dalai Lama escapes to India.
- Xerox manufactures a plain paper copier
- Fidel Castro assumes power of Cuba
- Public is shocked to learn that most big-money TV quiz shows are fixed
- M1 motorway opens
- Number of television licences reaches 10million (UK)
1950
- Saturday morning children’s programming begins
- Phone Vision, the first pay per view service begins
- The first Xerox machine is produced
- Assassination attempt on President Truman
- Korean War begins
- First broadcast from the House of Commons
1951
- Colour television introduced in the US and sets go on sale
- Japanese peace treaty signed
- First nuclear power plant built
- TV cameras allowed in 10 Downing Street
- British film censors add an X rating (indicates strong adult content)
1952
- Television's first magazine-format program, the Today show, debuts on NBC
- King George the VI dies, daughter becomes Elizabeth the II
- 3D movies
- Programme for deaf children (BBC)
- Identity cards abolished
1953
- Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
- First issue of the TV Guide magazine
- Panorama has a more cultural view (BBC)
- East Berliners rise against communist rule
- First successful open-heart surgery
- Julius and Ethel Rosenberg executed – for treason
- Hollywood develops wide screen processes i.e. CinemaScope
1954
- First in-vision weatherman
- Supreme Court rules against separate education for blacks and whites
- In U.S., television revenue surpasses radio revenue
- Disney ends Hollywood freeze, leads studios in producing television programs
- NBC broadcasts the World Series in colour for the first time.
- Television Act 1954 becomes Law
- Algerian War of Independence against France begins
1955
- Churchill resigns (April 5)
- Rosa Parks refuses to sit at the back of the bus, breaking segregated seating law. Martin Luther King, Jr, leads black boycott of Montgomery bus system.
- Gunsmoke debuts on CBS, and will go on to be television's longest-running western
- BBC’s monopoly on British television is over. ITV begins broadcasting as is allowed to host commercial adverts
1956
- The Wizard of Oz has its first airing on TV.
- First European cup final
- Morocco gains independence from France
1957
- Russia launches Sputnik I, first earth-orbiting satellite
- Leave It to Beaver premieres on CBS, ushering in an era of television shows that depict the ideal American family.
1958
- Cinema verité (also called “direct cinema”) documentary technique
- Blue Peter airs on BBC
- The first CND protests (campaign for nuclear disarmament)
1959
- Dalai Lama escapes to India.
- Xerox manufactures a plain paper copier
- Fidel Castro assumes power of Cuba
- Public is shocked to learn that most big-money TV quiz shows are fixed
- M1 motorway opens
- Number of television licences reaches 10million (UK)
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
GQ to launch Indian edition
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/07/condenast.pressandpublishing
GQ will launch in India later this year, following in the footsteps of its Condé Nast stablemate Vogue. The upmarket men's magazine will launch an Indian edition following the "overwhelming success" of Vogue India, said Jonathan Newhouse, the Condé Nast International chairman. GQ India will mix international and Indian content. The new Condé Nast title will be edited by Sanjiv Bhattacharya, a former features and contributing editor of the British GQ.
During 2008, Condé Nast will also launch Vanity Fair in Spain, Tatler in Russia and Condé Nast Traveller in Greece.
GQ was launched in America in 1957 as Gentleman's Quarterly, a fashion spin-off from Esquire, which it now outsells in Britain. Condé Nast took over the magazine in 1983 and launched it in the UK in September 1989. There are 13 international editions of the magazine
This article highlights the success Condé Nast has had with its other magazines and is convinced that GQ will be a success in India, following the success of Vogue India. The publisher has identified that their is possibly a gap in the market and that the demand for this magazine would be high.
The article also states how the publisher plans to expand more titles in other countries i.e. Condé Nast Traveller in Greece
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/07/condenast.pressandpublishing
GQ will launch in India later this year, following in the footsteps of its Condé Nast stablemate Vogue. The upmarket men's magazine will launch an Indian edition following the "overwhelming success" of Vogue India, said Jonathan Newhouse, the Condé Nast International chairman. GQ India will mix international and Indian content. The new Condé Nast title will be edited by Sanjiv Bhattacharya, a former features and contributing editor of the British GQ.
During 2008, Condé Nast will also launch Vanity Fair in Spain, Tatler in Russia and Condé Nast Traveller in Greece.
GQ was launched in America in 1957 as Gentleman's Quarterly, a fashion spin-off from Esquire, which it now outsells in Britain. Condé Nast took over the magazine in 1983 and launched it in the UK in September 1989. There are 13 international editions of the magazine
This article highlights the success Condé Nast has had with its other magazines and is convinced that GQ will be a success in India, following the success of Vogue India. The publisher has identified that their is possibly a gap in the market and that the demand for this magazine would be high.
The article also states how the publisher plans to expand more titles in other countries i.e. Condé Nast Traveller in Greece
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Byron may write follow-up web report
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/01/googlethemedia.digitalmedia1
Clinical psychologist and TV presenter Dr Tanya Byron is weighing up an offer from prime minister Gordon Brown to compile a follow up report to assess the impact of her recent study of online child safety. Byron told the Commons culture, media and sport select committee today that Brown had asked her to compile a report in four years' time to assess whether her recommendations on child Internet safety have successfully been introduced or not.
Her recent report took six months to compile and was commissioned by Gordon Brown.
Byron admitted that she "had no idea" how much her policies would cost to implement but said that it would require "lots of money" and "proper resourcing".
This report highlights the recent dangers of social networking, with sites such as MySpace and Facebook becoming popular, safety measures may have to be put into place.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/01/googlethemedia.digitalmedia1
Clinical psychologist and TV presenter Dr Tanya Byron is weighing up an offer from prime minister Gordon Brown to compile a follow up report to assess the impact of her recent study of online child safety. Byron told the Commons culture, media and sport select committee today that Brown had asked her to compile a report in four years' time to assess whether her recommendations on child Internet safety have successfully been introduced or not.
Her recent report took six months to compile and was commissioned by Gordon Brown.
Byron admitted that she "had no idea" how much her policies would cost to implement but said that it would require "lots of money" and "proper resourcing".
This report highlights the recent dangers of social networking, with sites such as MySpace and Facebook becoming popular, safety measures may have to be put into place.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
China 'unblocks' BBC News site
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/25/digitalmedia.chinathemedia
Chinese authorities appear to have stopped blocking the BBC News website, making the English-language version of the site fully accessible throughout the country. The Chinese government has never officially confirmed that it blocked traffic to the site, but for years web users in China have been served an error message when attempting to access the BBC and other western news sites. BBC staff in China have reported for several days that they can access stories on the corporation's news website which would previously have been blocked, including stories on the unrest in Tibet.
However, the Chinese-language site still appears to be blocked. Users are served a page that says "the connection has been reset" when attempting to access pages, giving the appearance of a technical error with the BBC's site
The BBC has said that some Chinese web users flout web blockades with routing tools that hide their location, but for most of China's 210 million citizens with Internet access the site remains inaccessible.
China is coming under increasing scrutiny as it prepares to host the Olympic Games in Beijing this August. The country's web population is about to overtake the US to become the world's largest Internet market.
This article highlights the censorship of Internet sites that are controlled by the government, as Chinese citizens currently not able to access most western news sites, in addition to sites such as Youtube. This is partly because the Chinese government may not want citizens to read news that goes against the current political party's interests or questions their judgements.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/25/digitalmedia.chinathemedia
Chinese authorities appear to have stopped blocking the BBC News website, making the English-language version of the site fully accessible throughout the country. The Chinese government has never officially confirmed that it blocked traffic to the site, but for years web users in China have been served an error message when attempting to access the BBC and other western news sites. BBC staff in China have reported for several days that they can access stories on the corporation's news website which would previously have been blocked, including stories on the unrest in Tibet.
However, the Chinese-language site still appears to be blocked. Users are served a page that says "the connection has been reset" when attempting to access pages, giving the appearance of a technical error with the BBC's site
The BBC has said that some Chinese web users flout web blockades with routing tools that hide their location, but for most of China's 210 million citizens with Internet access the site remains inaccessible.
China is coming under increasing scrutiny as it prepares to host the Olympic Games in Beijing this August. The country's web population is about to overtake the US to become the world's largest Internet market.
This article highlights the censorship of Internet sites that are controlled by the government, as Chinese citizens currently not able to access most western news sites, in addition to sites such as Youtube. This is partly because the Chinese government may not want citizens to read news that goes against the current political party's interests or questions their judgements.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
ER clip - season 13 opening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9G1l8Viw4I
M – Use of green and black, ER - is an abbreviation for emergency room (term is mainly used in the USA) hence in the UK we use A&E. music is parallel and goes with the fast pace environment. Aims to show doctors lives
Uses a more contemporary font
I -NBC is a well established commercial broadcaster and will therefore have a big budget. Also successful
G – medical/hospital drama
R – Shows a busy hospital, doctors and nurses running down the corridor, helping a patient
A – Young adults and over, those who enjoy watching medical dramas or American dramas in general
I – could represent a patriarchal society as the majority of the cast are male, however there are female doctors shown in the opening which could suggest that women can be equally successful. Multicultural – the cast features ethnic minorities.
N – Chronological order
Essay
In this essay I will be analysing two texts from different decades. The first text is the opening credits to ER, which is a long running hospital drama based in America. The second text is the front page of The Radio Times magazine (1978) and is an established magazine published by the BBC.
The magazine cover aims to attract more readers party because of the institution, which is the BBC and their policy is to inform, educate and entertain. Though both institutions are broadcasters, the BBC is not commercial – the price of the magazine is 10p, the cheaper price reflects society and the poverty that may have occurred during this period of time.
Unlike NBC which relies on successful shows such as ER to generate revenue made through advertising.
The typography used for the masthead is a traditional font which highlights that this is a trusted and established magazine. But it could also mean that the magazine could stand for traditional values, hence the cover picture which is of stereotypical white female nurses, who appear to be dressed in a similar way to nuns, as they are showing little flesh (conservative dress sense). This can be seen as a stereotypical representation as there are no males (doctors) featured in the cover picture, but also nurses had a lower status in hospitals – which would suggest society’s attitudes, that women would not be in a higher position than men.
But their facial expressions indicate that they are happy to be doing this job as this can also be recognised as a positive representation because women are not being sexually objectified, but as educated women in work and during the 1970s many women would have been confined to the role of a housewife.
But the opening credits to ER feature a mixed cast, though predominantly male, the audience can assume that the few women being shown are in fact doctors. This shows that in the 21st century society we live in women can be just as successful as men. The font used is contemporary and not as traditional as the BBC magazine, which could suggest that NBC are trying to reach out to new and younger audiences.
Unlike the radio time’s front cover the cast of ER also consists of ethnic minorities, the broadcaster is conveying a multicultural ideology (lack of diversity on the magazine cover) by featuring a black actor and an Asian actress amongst the line up, which again encourages new audiences to watch the show. Whilst characters are introduced, the opening credits also give audiences an insight into the fast pace hospital drama. The fast pace is built up throughout the sequence by using parallel music in which the rhythm would connote a heart beat, also the use of quick edits and the flashing images of x-rays only add to the drama of hospital life.
The ironic captions on the Radio Times cover questions the accuracy of the representation of nurses in the television drama ‘Angels’, as it could imply good nurses that have gone bad and that nurses may not necessarily have clean image and probably do get up to mischief. Therefore both Angels and ER could have been created for the purpose of diversion, where audiences would be able to escape from everyday problems and routines even though what may be shown may not necessarily depict the lives of doctors and nurses living in the UK or America.
Both have elements of soap opera, the issues and debates remain similar to as they were a few decades ago. For example it highlights the difference in the healthcare system, free healthcare in the United Kingdom whereas Americans have to pay for health care and the NHS is considered to be an important institution in British culture.
The feminist movement would have been popular in both America and the UK as women were fighting for equal rights, both texts draw attention to the differences that have been implemented, from stereotypical white nurses to female doctors. But it most importantly highlights the progress women have made over the years.
The caption featured on the cover creates a narrative enigma, which is used as used as a tool to persuade audiences to buy the magazine. One of the binary oppositions that are created is of the nurses being characterised as heroes and the villain would be the illness – as the hero will do everything in their power to prevent the villain from succeeding, in this case killing the patient. In relation to the picture the oppositions created would be actresses vs. real life nurses, as what is portrayed in a drama cannot be directly compared to real life situations.
M – Use of green and black, ER - is an abbreviation for emergency room (term is mainly used in the USA) hence in the UK we use A&E. music is parallel and goes with the fast pace environment. Aims to show doctors lives
Uses a more contemporary font
I -NBC is a well established commercial broadcaster and will therefore have a big budget. Also successful
G – medical/hospital drama
R – Shows a busy hospital, doctors and nurses running down the corridor, helping a patient
A – Young adults and over, those who enjoy watching medical dramas or American dramas in general
I – could represent a patriarchal society as the majority of the cast are male, however there are female doctors shown in the opening which could suggest that women can be equally successful. Multicultural – the cast features ethnic minorities.
N – Chronological order
Essay
In this essay I will be analysing two texts from different decades. The first text is the opening credits to ER, which is a long running hospital drama based in America. The second text is the front page of The Radio Times magazine (1978) and is an established magazine published by the BBC.
The magazine cover aims to attract more readers party because of the institution, which is the BBC and their policy is to inform, educate and entertain. Though both institutions are broadcasters, the BBC is not commercial – the price of the magazine is 10p, the cheaper price reflects society and the poverty that may have occurred during this period of time.
Unlike NBC which relies on successful shows such as ER to generate revenue made through advertising.
The typography used for the masthead is a traditional font which highlights that this is a trusted and established magazine. But it could also mean that the magazine could stand for traditional values, hence the cover picture which is of stereotypical white female nurses, who appear to be dressed in a similar way to nuns, as they are showing little flesh (conservative dress sense). This can be seen as a stereotypical representation as there are no males (doctors) featured in the cover picture, but also nurses had a lower status in hospitals – which would suggest society’s attitudes, that women would not be in a higher position than men.
But their facial expressions indicate that they are happy to be doing this job as this can also be recognised as a positive representation because women are not being sexually objectified, but as educated women in work and during the 1970s many women would have been confined to the role of a housewife.
But the opening credits to ER feature a mixed cast, though predominantly male, the audience can assume that the few women being shown are in fact doctors. This shows that in the 21st century society we live in women can be just as successful as men. The font used is contemporary and not as traditional as the BBC magazine, which could suggest that NBC are trying to reach out to new and younger audiences.
Unlike the radio time’s front cover the cast of ER also consists of ethnic minorities, the broadcaster is conveying a multicultural ideology (lack of diversity on the magazine cover) by featuring a black actor and an Asian actress amongst the line up, which again encourages new audiences to watch the show. Whilst characters are introduced, the opening credits also give audiences an insight into the fast pace hospital drama. The fast pace is built up throughout the sequence by using parallel music in which the rhythm would connote a heart beat, also the use of quick edits and the flashing images of x-rays only add to the drama of hospital life.
The ironic captions on the Radio Times cover questions the accuracy of the representation of nurses in the television drama ‘Angels’, as it could imply good nurses that have gone bad and that nurses may not necessarily have clean image and probably do get up to mischief. Therefore both Angels and ER could have been created for the purpose of diversion, where audiences would be able to escape from everyday problems and routines even though what may be shown may not necessarily depict the lives of doctors and nurses living in the UK or America.
Both have elements of soap opera, the issues and debates remain similar to as they were a few decades ago. For example it highlights the difference in the healthcare system, free healthcare in the United Kingdom whereas Americans have to pay for health care and the NHS is considered to be an important institution in British culture.
The feminist movement would have been popular in both America and the UK as women were fighting for equal rights, both texts draw attention to the differences that have been implemented, from stereotypical white nurses to female doctors. But it most importantly highlights the progress women have made over the years.
The caption featured on the cover creates a narrative enigma, which is used as used as a tool to persuade audiences to buy the magazine. One of the binary oppositions that are created is of the nurses being characterised as heroes and the villain would be the illness – as the hero will do everything in their power to prevent the villain from succeeding, in this case killing the patient. In relation to the picture the oppositions created would be actresses vs. real life nurses, as what is portrayed in a drama cannot be directly compared to real life situations.
Sugar moots junior Apprentice show http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/18/bbc.realitytv
The BBC is in discussions with Sir Alan Sugar about creating a teen version of hit business reality show The Apprentice.
Sugar, speaking at the launch of the fourth series of The Apprentice today, said he wanted to make a programme for young people as they were some of the shows biggest fans. have put the idea forward for a special for teenagers," Sugar added. "I have even gone to the extent of saying you don't need to fire the person. God knows what people would be calling me for firing an 11-year-old child
Format tweaks for the fourth series include the first international challenge for the 16 wannabe entrepreneurs with a buying trip to Morocco.
Four special programmes will also air alongside the main Apprentice series, including a candidate profile show; Why I Fired Them, which will look back on previous candidates who were on the receiving end of Sugar's wrath; The Apprentice: Worst Decisions Ever, featuring candidate cock-ups; and The Apprentice: Motor Mouths, looking back at the best stand-offs
By making a similar programme for teenagers, the show would attract new audiences. But this is also apart of the BBC's policy which is to inform, educate and entertain. This is a new idea as teenagers hoping to be successful in the world of business will have a idea about what it is really like as they would be able to look at different job prospects.
The BBC is in discussions with Sir Alan Sugar about creating a teen version of hit business reality show The Apprentice.
Sugar, speaking at the launch of the fourth series of The Apprentice today, said he wanted to make a programme for young people as they were some of the shows biggest fans. have put the idea forward for a special for teenagers," Sugar added. "I have even gone to the extent of saying you don't need to fire the person. God knows what people would be calling me for firing an 11-year-old child
Format tweaks for the fourth series include the first international challenge for the 16 wannabe entrepreneurs with a buying trip to Morocco.
Four special programmes will also air alongside the main Apprentice series, including a candidate profile show; Why I Fired Them, which will look back on previous candidates who were on the receiving end of Sugar's wrath; The Apprentice: Worst Decisions Ever, featuring candidate cock-ups; and The Apprentice: Motor Mouths, looking back at the best stand-offs
By making a similar programme for teenagers, the show would attract new audiences. But this is also apart of the BBC's policy which is to inform, educate and entertain. This is a new idea as teenagers hoping to be successful in the world of business will have a idea about what it is really like as they would be able to look at different job prospects.
Psycho (1960) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6YLm--bgaI
M – Use of a voiceover, black and white, location (house on top of the hill), and use of low key lighting used to make shadows. Music used can be described as discordant (but also creates suspense) and the final part of the trailer consists of the woman’s screams. Formal clothing – what would have been worn in the 1960s. Mixture of shots, both medium and close ups. Remote setting – motel off the main road, ‘house on top of the hill’
I – Universal, Alfred Hitchcock – auteur known for his directing style
G – slasher – use of the knife which is used to stab the woman
Horror – the atmosphere that is created using different shots
R – Could represent the woman as being vulnerable
A – Older audiences who may enjoy watching Hitchcock films. Also as the genre is slasher/horror, the target audience would be primarily males.
I –Men being dominant – hence the killer is male, the knife being used as a phallic symbol. The voiceover is also male – patriarchal society
N – The narrative is in chronological order. The use of binary oppositions such as good and evil
Halloween (2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kww5KSqzV9U
M – Using dark colours, also the use of green creates a spooky atmosphere. Fast cuts and low key lighting (used to create shadows). The voiceover adds to the suspense that is being created as it makes the trailer scarier as the killer is wearing a mask.
I – Rob Zombie
G – Horror/ Slasher – audience can assume the genre by the various conventions used i.e. music, lighting, scary atmosphere that is created etc.
R - Women being presented as vulnerable as she is being attacked – most probably because she has committed a sin i.e. pre martial sex
A – Primarily males who prefer the horror genre more than women.
I – dominant ideology (audience can assume that the killer is male), patriarchal - male voice over.
N – Chronological order?, use of binary oppositions i.e. Natural and supernatural & good and evil.
Both are similar as the killers use a knife. Also the use of a male voiceover, killer can be seen to have a disguises. In Psycho, a wig and gown and in Halloween a mask. Disguises are used to create suspense amongst audiences which only encourages them to go and watch the film.
Essay
The form and function of a trailer is to encourage the audience to go and watch the film. I have analysed two different trailers from the same genre but different decades, the first trailer is Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock (1960) and the second trailer is Halloween directed by Rob Zombie (2007).
However producers many produce more than one trailer in order to market the film at different audiences.
The opening to Psycho can be seen an introduction to the narrative as we see both the main characters. Also the use of the voiceover helps to move the story along. However it is a male voiceover which could connote the patriarchal society we live in, as the majority of films tend to have a male voiceover as opposed to a female one. But as the horror and slasher genre is most appealing to males, movies within this genre are less likely to use a female voiceover. We are also shown the setting in Psycho, which is the house on top of the hill - a location which has been used many times in forthcoming slasher and horror films.
In contrast, the opening to Halloween creates the spooky atmosphere which audiences expect when watching a film from this genre, but the trailer also uses text which could place emphasis on events that are about to happen (within the trailer), as the first set of moving images we see are flashbacks, most probably from childhood. Like Psycho we are then shown the setting which appears to be in the suburbs. The common misconception about living in the suburbs is that it may be safer, however this may not necessarily be true as in the media today we still hear about crimes which occur just as much in inner city areas.
Though both films use different locations, nevertheless they still create suspense as Halloween creates the idea that the killer could be your next door neighbour whilst in Psycho the audience is anticipating the consequences at stopping off at a spooky motel.
In both trailers we see the killers use a knife to kill their victims, this can also be interpreted as a phallic symbol which ultimately gives males the power over women (at the same time portraying women as being vulnerable, but also the competition that women currently face in society with men) .As an audience we can assume that the victims may have committed sins which resulted in their murders.
Halloween uses more fast cuts towards the end of the trailer which builds up to a climax where the killer jumps out, this makes the film seem scarier as it is unexpected.
Both films can have a visceral effect on audiences, however I think that Halloween is more visceral partly because of the fast paced cuts that have been used which almost feels like a ‘rollercoaster ride’. Whereas Psycho features less cuts and the trailer is rather slow pace. By this also highlights how much technology has advanced over a few decades, as producers are able to do more special effects which enhance the film in an attempt to gain more audiences.
Also they can also be seen as an intellectual puzzle, as audiences will be trying to piece together the mystery of the attacker and looking for clues as to why he may kill his victims as the pleasure is derived by being surprised by the unexpected. As many new films within this genre do expect audiences to follow the narrative closely, as well as collating information on the psychopath.
A common feature used throughout the trailer is of the women screaming, which would add to the terror of being attacked but also includes the element of horror.
In Psycho, whilst the character is screaming at the prospect of being killed, high pitched music is being played which sounds discordant (strings). Halloween also features female characters screaming but does not use similar music but a softer instrumental is used, but at the same time creates a similar effect to Psycho.
Whilst Psycho relies on the voiceover to create suspense, Halloween used both voiceover and written text to create suspense, “there exists a dark side in everybody” and the audience is then shown the murderer putting on a mask. The idea of a mask is used in many horror or slasher films, for example in Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), the killer’s face is disguised using a mask, this can add to the suspense of the film, by keeping the audience guessing about who is behind the mask.
M – Use of a voiceover, black and white, location (house on top of the hill), and use of low key lighting used to make shadows. Music used can be described as discordant (but also creates suspense) and the final part of the trailer consists of the woman’s screams. Formal clothing – what would have been worn in the 1960s. Mixture of shots, both medium and close ups. Remote setting – motel off the main road, ‘house on top of the hill’
I – Universal, Alfred Hitchcock – auteur known for his directing style
G – slasher – use of the knife which is used to stab the woman
Horror – the atmosphere that is created using different shots
R – Could represent the woman as being vulnerable
A – Older audiences who may enjoy watching Hitchcock films. Also as the genre is slasher/horror, the target audience would be primarily males.
I –Men being dominant – hence the killer is male, the knife being used as a phallic symbol. The voiceover is also male – patriarchal society
N – The narrative is in chronological order. The use of binary oppositions such as good and evil
Halloween (2007) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kww5KSqzV9U
M – Using dark colours, also the use of green creates a spooky atmosphere. Fast cuts and low key lighting (used to create shadows). The voiceover adds to the suspense that is being created as it makes the trailer scarier as the killer is wearing a mask.
I – Rob Zombie
G – Horror/ Slasher – audience can assume the genre by the various conventions used i.e. music, lighting, scary atmosphere that is created etc.
R - Women being presented as vulnerable as she is being attacked – most probably because she has committed a sin i.e. pre martial sex
A – Primarily males who prefer the horror genre more than women.
I – dominant ideology (audience can assume that the killer is male), patriarchal - male voice over.
N – Chronological order?, use of binary oppositions i.e. Natural and supernatural & good and evil.
Both are similar as the killers use a knife. Also the use of a male voiceover, killer can be seen to have a disguises. In Psycho, a wig and gown and in Halloween a mask. Disguises are used to create suspense amongst audiences which only encourages them to go and watch the film.
Essay
The form and function of a trailer is to encourage the audience to go and watch the film. I have analysed two different trailers from the same genre but different decades, the first trailer is Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock (1960) and the second trailer is Halloween directed by Rob Zombie (2007).
However producers many produce more than one trailer in order to market the film at different audiences.
The opening to Psycho can be seen an introduction to the narrative as we see both the main characters. Also the use of the voiceover helps to move the story along. However it is a male voiceover which could connote the patriarchal society we live in, as the majority of films tend to have a male voiceover as opposed to a female one. But as the horror and slasher genre is most appealing to males, movies within this genre are less likely to use a female voiceover. We are also shown the setting in Psycho, which is the house on top of the hill - a location which has been used many times in forthcoming slasher and horror films.
In contrast, the opening to Halloween creates the spooky atmosphere which audiences expect when watching a film from this genre, but the trailer also uses text which could place emphasis on events that are about to happen (within the trailer), as the first set of moving images we see are flashbacks, most probably from childhood. Like Psycho we are then shown the setting which appears to be in the suburbs. The common misconception about living in the suburbs is that it may be safer, however this may not necessarily be true as in the media today we still hear about crimes which occur just as much in inner city areas.
Though both films use different locations, nevertheless they still create suspense as Halloween creates the idea that the killer could be your next door neighbour whilst in Psycho the audience is anticipating the consequences at stopping off at a spooky motel.
In both trailers we see the killers use a knife to kill their victims, this can also be interpreted as a phallic symbol which ultimately gives males the power over women (at the same time portraying women as being vulnerable, but also the competition that women currently face in society with men) .As an audience we can assume that the victims may have committed sins which resulted in their murders.
Halloween uses more fast cuts towards the end of the trailer which builds up to a climax where the killer jumps out, this makes the film seem scarier as it is unexpected.
Both films can have a visceral effect on audiences, however I think that Halloween is more visceral partly because of the fast paced cuts that have been used which almost feels like a ‘rollercoaster ride’. Whereas Psycho features less cuts and the trailer is rather slow pace. By this also highlights how much technology has advanced over a few decades, as producers are able to do more special effects which enhance the film in an attempt to gain more audiences.
Also they can also be seen as an intellectual puzzle, as audiences will be trying to piece together the mystery of the attacker and looking for clues as to why he may kill his victims as the pleasure is derived by being surprised by the unexpected. As many new films within this genre do expect audiences to follow the narrative closely, as well as collating information on the psychopath.
A common feature used throughout the trailer is of the women screaming, which would add to the terror of being attacked but also includes the element of horror.
In Psycho, whilst the character is screaming at the prospect of being killed, high pitched music is being played which sounds discordant (strings). Halloween also features female characters screaming but does not use similar music but a softer instrumental is used, but at the same time creates a similar effect to Psycho.
Whilst Psycho relies on the voiceover to create suspense, Halloween used both voiceover and written text to create suspense, “there exists a dark side in everybody” and the audience is then shown the murderer putting on a mask. The idea of a mask is used in many horror or slasher films, for example in Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), the killer’s face is disguised using a mask, this can add to the suspense of the film, by keeping the audience guessing about who is behind the mask.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
New iPhone software could be delayed
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/26/apple.apple
Apple is rumoured to have delayed the launch of the software tools that will help third party developers produce independent applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Apple is currently updating its US online store in advance of the release later on Tuesday of a range of new products, believed to be upgrades to its MacBook range of laptops. Further details of the SDK are also expected to be announced.
Although Apple wants to broaden the appeal of the iPhone and iPod Touch by letting other people design compelling applications which users can put on their devices, it is very mindful of the need to protect consumers - and its own reputation for high security - from viruses and malicious software
Also Apple could also make use of itunes if it were to distribute to third parties, but also this could also lead to a loss in customers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/feb/26/apple.apple
Apple is rumoured to have delayed the launch of the software tools that will help third party developers produce independent applications for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Apple is currently updating its US online store in advance of the release later on Tuesday of a range of new products, believed to be upgrades to its MacBook range of laptops. Further details of the SDK are also expected to be announced.
Although Apple wants to broaden the appeal of the iPhone and iPod Touch by letting other people design compelling applications which users can put on their devices, it is very mindful of the need to protect consumers - and its own reputation for high security - from viruses and malicious software
Also Apple could also make use of itunes if it were to distribute to third parties, but also this could also lead to a loss in customers
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
iPlayer tops 17m views since Christmas
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/20/bbc.digitalmedia1
BBC shows have been streamed or downloaded more than 17m times via its iPlayer broadband TV service since Christmas Day, according to figures from the corporation
Newly released BBC figures show the most popular shows available via the iPlayer, such as Torchwood, Ashes to Ashes and Doctor Who, are each attracting around 50,000 views a day.
The iPlayer is now averaging around 1.3 million unique users a week, with as many as 500,000 streams or downloads per day.
The iPlayer is now averaging around 1.3 million unique users a week, with as many as 500,000 streams or downloads per day, iPhone and iPod Touch owners will be able to access iPlayer content within the next few weeks. This will be the first time the broadband TV service has been available beyond PC and Mac computers
This article highlights that the iplayer has become an instant success as it was only introduced a short time ago. The BBC also hopes that the iplayer will overtake MSN and become the second most popular site used in the UK, behind Google. Also the BBC is able to highlight popular shows so that new users can watch these
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/20/bbc.digitalmedia1
BBC shows have been streamed or downloaded more than 17m times via its iPlayer broadband TV service since Christmas Day, according to figures from the corporation
Newly released BBC figures show the most popular shows available via the iPlayer, such as Torchwood, Ashes to Ashes and Doctor Who, are each attracting around 50,000 views a day.
The iPlayer is now averaging around 1.3 million unique users a week, with as many as 500,000 streams or downloads per day.
The iPlayer is now averaging around 1.3 million unique users a week, with as many as 500,000 streams or downloads per day, iPhone and iPod Touch owners will be able to access iPlayer content within the next few weeks. This will be the first time the broadband TV service has been available beyond PC and Mac computers
This article highlights that the iplayer has become an instant success as it was only introduced a short time ago. The BBC also hopes that the iplayer will overtake MSN and become the second most popular site used in the UK, behind Google. Also the BBC is able to highlight popular shows so that new users can watch these
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
News 24 launches showbiz news show
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/12/bbc.tvnews
BBC News 24 is to launch its first regular entertainment news show since Zero30 in the late 1990s, with a weekly programme co-hosted by Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones.
E24 will be a weekly roundup of news from the world of film, television and music with behind-the-scenes reports and interviews with stars of that week's shows, gigs and events
The show has just been commissioned for a 6 week pilot run and will air weekly on Saturdays and a repeat on Sundays. E24 will also be available on demand from the BBC's website
BBC News 24 currently provides entertainment news updates twice nightly from Monday to Thursday at 6.30pm and 9.30pm.
By featuring an entertainment programme, the BBC is trying to target more younger audiences, as most have a interest of music and film. As the BBC aim to 'educate, inform and entertain'Also presenter Gethin Jones is now recognised for appearing on BBC1 reality show ' strictly come dancing'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/12/bbc.tvnews
BBC News 24 is to launch its first regular entertainment news show since Zero30 in the late 1990s, with a weekly programme co-hosted by Blue Peter presenter Gethin Jones.
E24 will be a weekly roundup of news from the world of film, television and music with behind-the-scenes reports and interviews with stars of that week's shows, gigs and events
The show has just been commissioned for a 6 week pilot run and will air weekly on Saturdays and a repeat on Sundays. E24 will also be available on demand from the BBC's website
BBC News 24 currently provides entertainment news updates twice nightly from Monday to Thursday at 6.30pm and 9.30pm.
By featuring an entertainment programme, the BBC is trying to target more younger audiences, as most have a interest of music and film. As the BBC aim to 'educate, inform and entertain'Also presenter Gethin Jones is now recognised for appearing on BBC1 reality show ' strictly come dancing'
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Microsoft in MTV and Sony BMG deals
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/05/microsoft.digitalmedia
Microsoft has struck pan-European deals with MTV International and Sony BMG to provide programme clips and music videos across its MSN Video service
The deal will see clips of shows such as South Park and music videos from artists as diverse as Elvis and Britney Spears made available via MSN Video across European countries including the UK, France and Germany.
Their target audience will be primarily under 35's, as this is the age group that has seized control on the use of the internet over the past few years. The deal builds on the wide-ranging $500m (£250m) advertising and content agreement struck by MTV owner Viacom and Microsoft in December
Microsoft's deal with Sony BMG will include thousands of music videos as well as exclusive backstage footage and interviews with the music company's artists.
I think that Microsoft is now establishing itself as a social portal, letting web users watch music videos from a variety of artists and also watch popular MTV programmes such as Cribs and Punk'd. Also this could lead to more advertising revenue being generated, as Sony are now looking at other ways of generating revenue - apart from CD sales.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/feb/05/microsoft.digitalmedia
Microsoft has struck pan-European deals with MTV International and Sony BMG to provide programme clips and music videos across its MSN Video service
The deal will see clips of shows such as South Park and music videos from artists as diverse as Elvis and Britney Spears made available via MSN Video across European countries including the UK, France and Germany.
Their target audience will be primarily under 35's, as this is the age group that has seized control on the use of the internet over the past few years. The deal builds on the wide-ranging $500m (£250m) advertising and content agreement struck by MTV owner Viacom and Microsoft in December
Microsoft's deal with Sony BMG will include thousands of music videos as well as exclusive backstage footage and interviews with the music company's artists.
I think that Microsoft is now establishing itself as a social portal, letting web users watch music videos from a variety of artists and also watch popular MTV programmes such as Cribs and Punk'd. Also this could lead to more advertising revenue being generated, as Sony are now looking at other ways of generating revenue - apart from CD sales.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Google taps US presidential race
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/29/googlethemedia.digitalmedia
Google has opened an advertising sales office in Washington DC after adapting its online targeting techniques for niche demographics to aid political campaigning in the 2008 presidential race
Republican presidential candidates John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Rudolph Guiliani and Mitt Romney and their Democrat counterparts Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have all signed up to use Google's Adwords and AdSense targeted advertising programmes to help their campaigns.
Staffed by 25 people, they will help to set up web campaigns for the political parties.
The candidates' campaigns typically buy up ads to appear next to relevant search results through the AdWords or through the AdSense, which places targeted ads on relevant sites.
By using the Internet as a source of political advertising, as the parties would be able to target certain demographics, in addition to persuading new voters to choose their political party - this would be done by placing adverts on specific websites. Also the Internet is used by millions of people each day, so candidates are targeting mass audiences.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/29/googlethemedia.digitalmedia
Google has opened an advertising sales office in Washington DC after adapting its online targeting techniques for niche demographics to aid political campaigning in the 2008 presidential race
Republican presidential candidates John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Rudolph Guiliani and Mitt Romney and their Democrat counterparts Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have all signed up to use Google's Adwords and AdSense targeted advertising programmes to help their campaigns.
Staffed by 25 people, they will help to set up web campaigns for the political parties.
The candidates' campaigns typically buy up ads to appear next to relevant search results through the AdWords or through the AdSense, which places targeted ads on relevant sites.
By using the Internet as a source of political advertising, as the parties would be able to target certain demographics, in addition to persuading new voters to choose their political party - this would be done by placing adverts on specific websites. Also the Internet is used by millions of people each day, so candidates are targeting mass audiences.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Miss Jones work
Masood Family - Eastenders
In July 2007 the Masood family made their first appearance in Eastenders, currently the only Muslim family in Albert Square.
The family consists of Zainab, Shabnam, Masood Ahmed and Tamwar.
Zainab - Strong willed and a tough businesswoman who owns a string of post offices. She comes across direct and can be intimidating
However her daughter Shabnam - seems to be more outgoing as she goes clubbing with friends when she told her mother that she was going to be babysitting. But even though her dad found out about this he did not seem to bothered but told her to be more careful. Since she has been more open about her social life with her mum.
The introduction of more ethnic minority characters is part of producer Diederick Santer's plan to "diversify", to make EastEnders "feel more 21st century". EastEnders was heavily criticised by the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), for not representing the East End's real "ethnic make-up". Furthermore, it was suggested that an element of stereotyping surrounded many of the minority characters in EastEnders.
After being heavily criticised the BBC have attempted to bring in another Asian family, who will last longer in the square as the Ferreira family ( previous Asian family in Eastenders) were seen as unrealistic by the Asian community.
In July 2007 the Masood family made their first appearance in Eastenders, currently the only Muslim family in Albert Square.
The family consists of Zainab, Shabnam, Masood Ahmed and Tamwar.
Zainab - Strong willed and a tough businesswoman who owns a string of post offices. She comes across direct and can be intimidating
However her daughter Shabnam - seems to be more outgoing as she goes clubbing with friends when she told her mother that she was going to be babysitting. But even though her dad found out about this he did not seem to bothered but told her to be more careful. Since she has been more open about her social life with her mum.
The introduction of more ethnic minority characters is part of producer Diederick Santer's plan to "diversify", to make EastEnders "feel more 21st century". EastEnders was heavily criticised by the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), for not representing the East End's real "ethnic make-up". Furthermore, it was suggested that an element of stereotyping surrounded many of the minority characters in EastEnders.
After being heavily criticised the BBC have attempted to bring in another Asian family, who will last longer in the square as the Ferreira family ( previous Asian family in Eastenders) were seen as unrealistic by the Asian community.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
BBC3 launches multiplatform revamp
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/22/bbc.television
The BBC3 controller, Danny Cohen, has unveiled plans to turn the channel into the UK's "most ambitious multiplatform network" with all its programmes to be simulcast on the internet.
The digital youth channel is also undergoing a major rebranding as it approaches its fifth anniversary with a pink logo replacing its current blue design and talking animated blobs.
He has pledged to put interactive ideas at the heart of the channel's schedule, with regular peak time slots given to user-generated content and viewers encouraged to upload clips of themselves introducing their favourite BBC3 programmes, with the best to be shown on screen
In addition BBC3 will be screening new episodes of US hit show Heroes and other new dramas.
BBC3 is trying to establish itself, especially with competition with other channels such as Sky and E4 which air other popular British/American shows. By introducing new shows they also hope to attract more and new audiences. As they would be introducing drama's and entertainment programmes that would appeal to different audiences...as part of the BBC's policy is to educate, inform and entertain
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/22/bbc.television
The BBC3 controller, Danny Cohen, has unveiled plans to turn the channel into the UK's "most ambitious multiplatform network" with all its programmes to be simulcast on the internet.
The digital youth channel is also undergoing a major rebranding as it approaches its fifth anniversary with a pink logo replacing its current blue design and talking animated blobs.
He has pledged to put interactive ideas at the heart of the channel's schedule, with regular peak time slots given to user-generated content and viewers encouraged to upload clips of themselves introducing their favourite BBC3 programmes, with the best to be shown on screen
In addition BBC3 will be screening new episodes of US hit show Heroes and other new dramas.
BBC3 is trying to establish itself, especially with competition with other channels such as Sky and E4 which air other popular British/American shows. By introducing new shows they also hope to attract more and new audiences. As they would be introducing drama's and entertainment programmes that would appeal to different audiences...as part of the BBC's policy is to educate, inform and entertain
I Am Legend - Poster Analysis
This poster has been created so that audiences are encouraged to go and watch the film.
The writing is the most dominant on the poster ' the last man on earth is not alone' this creates an enigmatic statement (how is he not alone) which intrigues the audience, therefore encouraging them to watch the film. Also 'Will Smith's(protagonist) name is at the top of the poster, therefore people are able to relate to his films which can be from either the comedy or action genre. However they would also assume that this movie would be worth watching just because it features Will Smith. Therefore the target audience would be teens and over and will smith fans.
The bold writing on the poster goes from small to large, and there is a picture of will smith at the bottom of the poster, which represents him as a hero as he is responsible for saving the world. Therefore a patriarchal ideology is represented as the poster suggests that only he can save the world from what ever is out there - seen as a hero again.Also it could suggest that a female may not be able to do the same as the male lead.
This poster has been created so that audiences are encouraged to go and watch the film.
The writing is the most dominant on the poster ' the last man on earth is not alone' this creates an enigmatic statement (how is he not alone) which intrigues the audience, therefore encouraging them to watch the film. Also 'Will Smith's(protagonist) name is at the top of the poster, therefore people are able to relate to his films which can be from either the comedy or action genre. However they would also assume that this movie would be worth watching just because it features Will Smith. Therefore the target audience would be teens and over and will smith fans.
The bold writing on the poster goes from small to large, and there is a picture of will smith at the bottom of the poster, which represents him as a hero as he is responsible for saving the world. Therefore a patriarchal ideology is represented as the poster suggests that only he can save the world from what ever is out there - seen as a hero again.Also it could suggest that a female may not be able to do the same as the male lead.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
ITV opts to revive News at Ten ad-free
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/15/itv.tvnews
ITV will now run the News at Ten without any advertisements, in a bid to rival with BBC which runs uninterrupted. By doing this ITV hope to lure more viewers away from the BBC 10 o' clock news.
This move is set to cost ITV hundreds of thousands of pounds in lost revenue as 60 second slots can cost up to £100, 000.
BBC1's news beat News at Ten in the ratings last night, pulling in 4.9 million viewers to ITV1's 3.8 million.
'A total of 9 million people watched one or the other programmes which indicates there is still a high and healthy audience for terrestrial news at that time. We will give the BBC a real run for their money'.
A BBC source said ITV had only anchored their coverage from the Zimbabwean border with South Africa while the risks for the BBC to report live from inside the country were much greater
Though ITV want to get a higher audience share than the BBC, the money lost from advertising would mean that ITV may not be able to pursue other projects due to the shortage of money made from advertising.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/15/itv.tvnews
ITV will now run the News at Ten without any advertisements, in a bid to rival with BBC which runs uninterrupted. By doing this ITV hope to lure more viewers away from the BBC 10 o' clock news.
This move is set to cost ITV hundreds of thousands of pounds in lost revenue as 60 second slots can cost up to £100, 000.
BBC1's news beat News at Ten in the ratings last night, pulling in 4.9 million viewers to ITV1's 3.8 million.
'A total of 9 million people watched one or the other programmes which indicates there is still a high and healthy audience for terrestrial news at that time. We will give the BBC a real run for their money'.
A BBC source said ITV had only anchored their coverage from the Zimbabwean border with South Africa while the risks for the BBC to report live from inside the country were much greater
Though ITV want to get a higher audience share than the BBC, the money lost from advertising would mean that ITV may not be able to pursue other projects due to the shortage of money made from advertising.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
New York Times and CNBC In alliance
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/08/rupertmurdoch.newscorporation
The New York Times and business channel CNBC have struck a deal to share news and video clips online as both companies prepare for battle against Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal and Fox Business Network.
New York Times articles will be posted on CNBC's website, while video from the news channel will run on NYTimes.com
Murdoch, who is expected to drop the pay barrier for WSJ.com, is aiming to marry the brand and business pedigree of the Journal with the Fox Business Network, the US cable channel News Corp launched in October to take on CNBC.
However to rival with the NewYork times the Wall Street Journal is expected to cover more general and political issues.
This article highlights Rupert Murdoch's power, he is now launching another cable channel which would compete with CNBC. Therefore it would be difficult for rivals to take over parts of the industry due to Murdoch's influence and power.
But this also shows that more networks are now trying to rival with Murdoch.
However with Murdoch dropping the pay barrier(subscription is no longer needed), this would attract more users to his site - The Wall Street Journal, which would only lead to more competition.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/08/rupertmurdoch.newscorporation
The New York Times and business channel CNBC have struck a deal to share news and video clips online as both companies prepare for battle against Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal and Fox Business Network.
New York Times articles will be posted on CNBC's website, while video from the news channel will run on NYTimes.com
Murdoch, who is expected to drop the pay barrier for WSJ.com, is aiming to marry the brand and business pedigree of the Journal with the Fox Business Network, the US cable channel News Corp launched in October to take on CNBC.
However to rival with the NewYork times the Wall Street Journal is expected to cover more general and political issues.
This article highlights Rupert Murdoch's power, he is now launching another cable channel which would compete with CNBC. Therefore it would be difficult for rivals to take over parts of the industry due to Murdoch's influence and power.
But this also shows that more networks are now trying to rival with Murdoch.
However with Murdoch dropping the pay barrier(subscription is no longer needed), this would attract more users to his site - The Wall Street Journal, which would only lead to more competition.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
BBC children's series confirms India is centre of animation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/02/bbc.television
With a £10m budget, India-animated Freefonix is one of the BBC's biggest ever animation projects. The futuristic tale of mismatched musicians was two years in the making across three continents and involved more than 200 people.
Now a new BBC children's series airing this week will cement its position as a global centre for animators, the show will consist of 40 episodes which will be aimed at the 7-11 age group.
A spokesman for the new project said 'there were opportunities not only to outsource but to actually get investment for animation out of India. In the UK there is a major problem with animation for children because the broadcasters do not have sufficient budgets to finance animation, so it all has to come from private sources'.
I think that this project would be a success as it is being created by the BBC, but also this company is trying to make the most of tax breaks and other subsides available in other countries. But also this project has enabled various teams in different countries to swap files and communicate instantly via a video link service such as skype.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jan/02/bbc.television
With a £10m budget, India-animated Freefonix is one of the BBC's biggest ever animation projects. The futuristic tale of mismatched musicians was two years in the making across three continents and involved more than 200 people.
Now a new BBC children's series airing this week will cement its position as a global centre for animators, the show will consist of 40 episodes which will be aimed at the 7-11 age group.
A spokesman for the new project said 'there were opportunities not only to outsource but to actually get investment for animation out of India. In the UK there is a major problem with animation for children because the broadcasters do not have sufficient budgets to finance animation, so it all has to come from private sources'.
I think that this project would be a success as it is being created by the BBC, but also this company is trying to make the most of tax breaks and other subsides available in other countries. But also this project has enabled various teams in different countries to swap files and communicate instantly via a video link service such as skype.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christmas TV ad spending up by £10m
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/27/advertising.television
Christmas TV ad spend has surged by over £10m this year, fuelled by a surge in last-minute ads from panicked retailers worried about a sales downturn during the festive season . This surge has been driven by retailers and the "interior furnishing" category – brands such as DFS – which have contributed a rise in spending on Christmas ads of about £5m.
Media agencies and broadcasters have attributed much of the overall December boost to "late money" on ads to get consumers shopping on the high street.
Therefore most television channels will benefit as retailers will be looking to advertise during popular shows such as X -Factor, which have high ratings. As retailers want to reach mass audiences quickly.
However if one retailer advertises during a certain show, it is likely that others will follow. The rest of the article also highlights that the best performer in TV ad revenues has been multichannel TV which would include channel 4 and ITV
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/27/advertising.television
Christmas TV ad spend has surged by over £10m this year, fuelled by a surge in last-minute ads from panicked retailers worried about a sales downturn during the festive season . This surge has been driven by retailers and the "interior furnishing" category – brands such as DFS – which have contributed a rise in spending on Christmas ads of about £5m.
Media agencies and broadcasters have attributed much of the overall December boost to "late money" on ads to get consumers shopping on the high street.
Therefore most television channels will benefit as retailers will be looking to advertise during popular shows such as X -Factor, which have high ratings. As retailers want to reach mass audiences quickly.
However if one retailer advertises during a certain show, it is likely that others will follow. The rest of the article also highlights that the best performer in TV ad revenues has been multichannel TV which would include channel 4 and ITV
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
News Values
I watched the BBC 6'O Clock news and the Channel 4 News at 7pm on Tuesday 18Th December.
BBC first 5 stories:
-New party leader elected for the Lib Dems (Nick Clegg)
-Alleged rape at a hotel where Man Utd players had their Xmas party
-Treasury has extended financial guarantees to Northern Rock
-Should fruit be shipped thousands of miles to supermarkets?
-Immigrant workers are keeping Britain afloat
Threshold- northern rock having continuous problems, people withdrawing all their savings and they are currently looking for a new buyer. Also the new Lib Dem leader being elected. As they would have the job of persuading the nation in voting for them in the next election.
Continuity - The northern Rock and Lib Dem election
Meaningfulness- The northern rock story involves government issues and people may have lost money
Channel 4 first 5 stories:
-Northern Rock taxpayers exposed
-New lib dem leader elected
- New president elected for South Africa
- BBC censors word from Christmas fairytale
- Amy Winehouse arrested
Reference to elite persons - new president elected for South Africa
Composition - Amy winehouse being arrested(celebrity news)
Threshold- northern rock having continuous problems, people withdrawing all their savings and they are currently looking for a new buyer. Also the new Lib Dem leader being elected. As they would have the job of persuading the nation in voting for them in the next election.
Continuity - The northern Rock and Lib Dem election
BBC first 5 stories:
-New party leader elected for the Lib Dems (Nick Clegg)
-Alleged rape at a hotel where Man Utd players had their Xmas party
-Treasury has extended financial guarantees to Northern Rock
-Should fruit be shipped thousands of miles to supermarkets?
-Immigrant workers are keeping Britain afloat
Threshold- northern rock having continuous problems, people withdrawing all their savings and they are currently looking for a new buyer. Also the new Lib Dem leader being elected. As they would have the job of persuading the nation in voting for them in the next election.
Continuity - The northern Rock and Lib Dem election
Meaningfulness- The northern rock story involves government issues and people may have lost money
Channel 4 first 5 stories:
-Northern Rock taxpayers exposed
-New lib dem leader elected
- New president elected for South Africa
- BBC censors word from Christmas fairytale
- Amy Winehouse arrested
Reference to elite persons - new president elected for South Africa
Composition - Amy winehouse being arrested(celebrity news)
Threshold- northern rock having continuous problems, people withdrawing all their savings and they are currently looking for a new buyer. Also the new Lib Dem leader being elected. As they would have the job of persuading the nation in voting for them in the next election.
Continuity - The northern Rock and Lib Dem election
Virgin users hit by broadband crash
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/18/virginmedia.digitalmedia
Last night cable operator Virgin Media's broadband and Video On Demand services crashed, leaving an unspecified number of its 3.6 million customers temporarily without facilities including Internet access.
This problem occurred during routine maintenance, however only customers in the North West - Yorkshire and the midlands were affected. The majority of customers did regain their service shortly after midnight. But Virgin Media stated that it was difficult to estimate the number of people that were affected, partly because it depends on what time people were online.
Though this may have been a one off, it could occur again which would then cause customers to switch Internet provider. As it is Virgin media have tough competition with rivals such as Sky and BT.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/18/virginmedia.digitalmedia
Last night cable operator Virgin Media's broadband and Video On Demand services crashed, leaving an unspecified number of its 3.6 million customers temporarily without facilities including Internet access.
This problem occurred during routine maintenance, however only customers in the North West - Yorkshire and the midlands were affected. The majority of customers did regain their service shortly after midnight. But Virgin Media stated that it was difficult to estimate the number of people that were affected, partly because it depends on what time people were online.
Though this may have been a one off, it could occur again which would then cause customers to switch Internet provider. As it is Virgin media have tough competition with rivals such as Sky and BT.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Representations of Asians - med 4
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=vFL0w1ruiCM
Typical Indian Parents
This clip is from Goodness Gracious Me, which is a comedy sketch show.
This is part of the stereotype where, Indian parents want their children to get top grades. In the clip the son gets A’s and a B, how ever the father is disappointed as this was in classical studies and the rest were in chemistry, biology etc.
He then compares his sons’ grades to someone else’s son; this is something that is done by some parents. He then talks about the 'B'damaging his pride in the community as someone else's son got better grades. yet again this re enforces the stereotype about Indian parents always wanting their children to get the top grades.
Typical Indian Parents
This clip is from Goodness Gracious Me, which is a comedy sketch show.
This is part of the stereotype where, Indian parents want their children to get top grades. In the clip the son gets A’s and a B, how ever the father is disappointed as this was in classical studies and the rest were in chemistry, biology etc.
He then compares his sons’ grades to someone else’s son; this is something that is done by some parents. He then talks about the 'B'damaging his pride in the community as someone else's son got better grades. yet again this re enforces the stereotype about Indian parents always wanting their children to get the top grades.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Channel 4 education focuses on web
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/11/channel4.digitalmedia
This article is about Channel 4 focusing on education for 14-19 year olds. As this project would be faced around social networking websites such as Facebook, Bebo and Myspace and also blogs which would then invite people to share experiences and would later be made into a quarterly documentary.
New projects cover entrepreneurship, careers, media literacy, the transition form school to work and, later in 2008, political engagement and citizenship.
This project aims to tackle the motivation in education, this would be done by finding content that is entertaining and engaging as well as educational.
There would be a variety of projects appealing to different audiences..i.e. one project will encourage users to set up an online business.
As this is part of a £6million budget, channel 4 would try and cater for different interests as they are targeting a wide age group, and due to the 'educational crisis' - in which students are not being motivated to learn this would appeal to them, as most students do use social networking websites.
In addition Channel 4 are trying to move away from the cliched view of opening a business (as seen on Dragons Den), providing a collaborative environment for young entrepreneurs. Therefore Channel 4 are trying to create an interactive environment in which 14-19 year olds are able to learn about a variety of subjects and also take part in online activities.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/11/channel4.digitalmedia
This article is about Channel 4 focusing on education for 14-19 year olds. As this project would be faced around social networking websites such as Facebook, Bebo and Myspace and also blogs which would then invite people to share experiences and would later be made into a quarterly documentary.
New projects cover entrepreneurship, careers, media literacy, the transition form school to work and, later in 2008, political engagement and citizenship.
This project aims to tackle the motivation in education, this would be done by finding content that is entertaining and engaging as well as educational.
There would be a variety of projects appealing to different audiences..i.e. one project will encourage users to set up an online business.
As this is part of a £6million budget, channel 4 would try and cater for different interests as they are targeting a wide age group, and due to the 'educational crisis' - in which students are not being motivated to learn this would appeal to them, as most students do use social networking websites.
In addition Channel 4 are trying to move away from the cliched view of opening a business (as seen on Dragons Den), providing a collaborative environment for young entrepreneurs. Therefore Channel 4 are trying to create an interactive environment in which 14-19 year olds are able to learn about a variety of subjects and also take part in online activities.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Xbox to offer VoD service
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/04/digitalmedia.microsoft
Microsoft will allow gamers in the UK to buy films through its Xbox 360 console from next Tuesday, as the console moves to compete directly with everything from television to online download stores.
Films including the Matrix, the Harry Potter series and Ocean's 11 will be available after Xbox 360 becomes the first games console to offer a video-on-demand service, Live Marketplace Video Store, that will includes 40 popular film titles in standard and high definition in six countries
Users will have to pay between £2 and £4.50 for each film and users will then have two weeks to watch the film after the download.
Microsoft would be breaking into a new market and also this service would be extremely popular as 60% of Xbox console owners do go online and download games and music videos. As they also have family propositions this new service would also appeal to families..no other console has launched this service therefore this service may also appeal to people with other consoles such as PlayStation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/dec/04/digitalmedia.microsoft
Microsoft will allow gamers in the UK to buy films through its Xbox 360 console from next Tuesday, as the console moves to compete directly with everything from television to online download stores.
Films including the Matrix, the Harry Potter series and Ocean's 11 will be available after Xbox 360 becomes the first games console to offer a video-on-demand service, Live Marketplace Video Store, that will includes 40 popular film titles in standard and high definition in six countries
Users will have to pay between £2 and £4.50 for each film and users will then have two weeks to watch the film after the download.
Microsoft would be breaking into a new market and also this service would be extremely popular as 60% of Xbox console owners do go online and download games and music videos. As they also have family propositions this new service would also appeal to families..no other console has launched this service therefore this service may also appeal to people with other consoles such as PlayStation
Summary of.. Reception Theory
- No text has a simple meaning as audience are able to de-code texts in individual ways
- David Morely found that there were 3 types of reading...he looked at how different social groups read the same media text.
1. Dominant or hegemonic reading (preferred reading)
2. negotiated reading
3. Oppositional/counter hegemonic
- This theory often ignores the context of everyday life.
- David Morely found that there were 3 types of reading...he looked at how different social groups read the same media text.
1. Dominant or hegemonic reading (preferred reading)
2. negotiated reading
3. Oppositional/counter hegemonic
- This theory often ignores the context of everyday life.
Summary of...Uses and Gratifications
- Assumes that the audience is active, choosing texts based on different reasons
- The audience also have a wide selection of programmes to choose from
- Blumler and Katz suggested four reasons.... Diversion, Personal identity, Personal relationships and Surveillance
- Denis McQuail made a detailed breakdown of audience motivation (above) i.e. entertainment, self education, seeking advice and relaxing
- Maslow (not a media theorist)... hierarchy of needs
- Richard Kilborn suggested reasons as to why people watch soaps... a regular routine and reward for work...identification with characters
- However this model can be to simplistic as we choose the media we consume from what is available
- The audience also have a wide selection of programmes to choose from
- Blumler and Katz suggested four reasons.... Diversion, Personal identity, Personal relationships and Surveillance
- Denis McQuail made a detailed breakdown of audience motivation (above) i.e. entertainment, self education, seeking advice and relaxing
- Maslow (not a media theorist)... hierarchy of needs
- Richard Kilborn suggested reasons as to why people watch soaps... a regular routine and reward for work...identification with characters
- However this model can be to simplistic as we choose the media we consume from what is available
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Summary of...Effects theory
- Assumes that the audience is passive
- Hypodermic needle model... to Inject the passive audience with ideologies.
- Promotes dominant ideologies
- Frankfurt School (propaganda)... concerned with the impact of the rise of the media industries on society
- Adorno ...Culture industry (dumbing the audience down)
- Althuser...Power of the state (ISA)
- Marcuse... 'indoctrinating & manipulating'
- Barthes... 'myths' (cultre)
- Moral panic -> Censorship as the moral majority seeing horror music and rap music as harmful
- Cultivation Theory... Audience is becoming desensitised
- Two Step Flow theory...assumes that the audience is more active and will discuss texts with each other
- Hypodermic needle model... to Inject the passive audience with ideologies.
- Promotes dominant ideologies
- Frankfurt School (propaganda)... concerned with the impact of the rise of the media industries on society
- Adorno ...Culture industry (dumbing the audience down)
- Althuser...Power of the state (ISA)
- Marcuse... 'indoctrinating & manipulating'
- Barthes... 'myths' (cultre)
- Moral panic -> Censorship as the moral majority seeing horror music and rap music as harmful
- Cultivation Theory... Audience is becoming desensitised
- Two Step Flow theory...assumes that the audience is more active and will discuss texts with each other
Uses and Gratifications & Me
-Blumer & Katz
* Diversion - Escape from everyday problems
i watch sitcoms such as Friends and scrubs as i don't particularly enjoy many soaps
* Personal relationships - Using the media for emotional and other interaction
i don't think this would apply to me because i don't relate to any characters
* Personal identity - Constructing their own identity from characters in media texts.
when watchin films or television programmes i sometimes understand where the charcter is coming from
* Surveillance - Information gathering i.e. weather reports
Read the newspaper and watch the news :)
-Denis McQuail
*Information - The news...newspaper...weather reports
*Learning - Watching different documentaries..channel 4 ones
*Personal identity - ermm.. does'nt really apply to me
* Integration and social interaction - same as above lol
*Entertainment - i enjoy watchin films..sitcoms i.e. friends! Heroes
* Diversion - Escape from everyday problems
i watch sitcoms such as Friends and scrubs as i don't particularly enjoy many soaps
* Personal relationships - Using the media for emotional and other interaction
i don't think this would apply to me because i don't relate to any characters
* Personal identity - Constructing their own identity from characters in media texts.
when watchin films or television programmes i sometimes understand where the charcter is coming from
* Surveillance - Information gathering i.e. weather reports
Read the newspaper and watch the news :)
-Denis McQuail
*Information - The news...newspaper...weather reports
*Learning - Watching different documentaries..channel 4 ones
*Personal identity - ermm.. does'nt really apply to me
* Integration and social interaction - same as above lol
*Entertainment - i enjoy watchin films..sitcoms i.e. friends! Heroes
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Media Gurdian story
Broadcasters to launch joint VoD service
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/27/bbc.itv
BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4 are to launch a Video On Demand service where customers would be able to watch more than 10,000 hours of TV programming. The title of the project is Kangaroo, it has been describes as "wanting to do for broadband what Freeview did for digital TV", will be a joint venture in which BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4 have an equal share
The project aims to be a "rich entertainment site", where consumers can catch up with recently aired shows and older archive programming
The service will initially be available via the web, with shows available either streamed or to download
This article highlights the development of on demand video media in the UK. Channel 4 already has an 'on demand service' and with this joint venture, 4oD will merge later with Kangaroo.
One of the main competitors would be Sky as Sky customers are also able to record television programmes and watch at a later date.
With the increase of downloading, customers are also able to download with this service, something Sky has yet to offer.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/27/bbc.itv
BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4 are to launch a Video On Demand service where customers would be able to watch more than 10,000 hours of TV programming. The title of the project is Kangaroo, it has been describes as "wanting to do for broadband what Freeview did for digital TV", will be a joint venture in which BBC Worldwide, ITV and Channel 4 have an equal share
The project aims to be a "rich entertainment site", where consumers can catch up with recently aired shows and older archive programming
The service will initially be available via the web, with shows available either streamed or to download
This article highlights the development of on demand video media in the UK. Channel 4 already has an 'on demand service' and with this joint venture, 4oD will merge later with Kangaroo.
One of the main competitors would be Sky as Sky customers are also able to record television programmes and watch at a later date.
With the increase of downloading, customers are also able to download with this service, something Sky has yet to offer.
Audience Profiling & Uses and Gratifications
Audience Profiling
Checkpoint 1: Demographic profiling is grouping the target audience in terms of age, class and gender. This is a simple way of defining an audience as it assumes that everyone within the group had the same attitudes.
Checkpoint 2: Psychographic profiling is categorising the audience in terms of needs and motivation, which is more effective for advertisers and publishers, as this enables consumers to be targeted directly.
Checkpoint 3: Niche nicknames are created because it is an easier way to define target audiences. i.e. YUPPIES(young upwardly mobile professionals)
Uses and Gratifications
Checkpoint 1: Four motivations Blumler and Katz suggested
* Diversion - Escape from everyday problems
* Personal relationships - Using the media for emotional and other interaction
* Personal identity - Constructing their own identity from characters in media texts.
* Surveillance - Information gathering i.e. weather reports
Checkpoint 2: Cultural codes is when different socio economic groups interpret texts in different ways.
Checkpoint 1: Demographic profiling is grouping the target audience in terms of age, class and gender. This is a simple way of defining an audience as it assumes that everyone within the group had the same attitudes.
Checkpoint 2: Psychographic profiling is categorising the audience in terms of needs and motivation, which is more effective for advertisers and publishers, as this enables consumers to be targeted directly.
Checkpoint 3: Niche nicknames are created because it is an easier way to define target audiences. i.e. YUPPIES(young upwardly mobile professionals)
Uses and Gratifications
Checkpoint 1: Four motivations Blumler and Katz suggested
* Diversion - Escape from everyday problems
* Personal relationships - Using the media for emotional and other interaction
* Personal identity - Constructing their own identity from characters in media texts.
* Surveillance - Information gathering i.e. weather reports
Checkpoint 2: Cultural codes is when different socio economic groups interpret texts in different ways.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Google launches YouTube ad scheme http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/19/googlethemedia.advertising
The article is about Google launching an advertising service for its partner network in the UK, this will allow targeted ads to run in YouTube videos. The new service is available to the thousands of websites that are signed up to Google's AdSense ad network. So Google Adsense partners are able to run video content from YouTube. They will be able to make money from banner and text ads that run around YouTube video clips. This would help to create a new revenue opportunity for publishers and content owners, and helps advertisers reach their target audiences in new and innovative ways
The article is about Google launching an advertising service for its partner network in the UK, this will allow targeted ads to run in YouTube videos. The new service is available to the thousands of websites that are signed up to Google's AdSense ad network. So Google Adsense partners are able to run video content from YouTube. They will be able to make money from banner and text ads that run around YouTube video clips. This would help to create a new revenue opportunity for publishers and content owners, and helps advertisers reach their target audiences in new and innovative ways - Google are always trying to find new and innovative ways of advertising their brand. YouTube is a popular website and is widely used around the world. In addition many advertisers would want to advertise during certain videos as these would target their audience as nearly all age groups use YouTube and also an easy way to target a mass audience.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Effects theory
Checkpoint 1: The culture industry is the rise of media industries on society. It states that society controls almost everything including culture. The mass audience is manipulated by society (the ruling class) therefore the audience is less able to criticise what they have been shown as it has been commodified to fit the capitalist system.
Checkpoint 2: Desensitised is a term given by critics, when an audience is shown a text repeatedly they become less sensitive, as single exposure to the text would not have much effect. Also because of the change in social attitudes and expectations previously banned films are now broadcast some years later on television. However some people fail to understand why the film was banned in the first place, but shown later. It is because society has changed so much we are now able to accept what ever is shown in the film.
Checkpoint 2: Desensitised is a term given by critics, when an audience is shown a text repeatedly they become less sensitive, as single exposure to the text would not have much effect. Also because of the change in social attitudes and expectations previously banned films are now broadcast some years later on television. However some people fail to understand why the film was banned in the first place, but shown later. It is because society has changed so much we are now able to accept what ever is shown in the film.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Lisa Opie
Job: managing director, content, Channel FiveAge: 47
Industry: broadcasting Annual programming
Budget: £230m
New entry
Ranking: 38
Lisa Opie was appointed last year to be the managing director at channel 5.
She was previously the executive vice president of Flextech - now known as Virgin Media Television.
As Managing Director, Flextech Television she was responsible for the creative and commercial management of the channels: Living TV; Living TV2; Bravo; Trouble; Challenge and Ftn. She was also a director on the board of UKTV
She helped launch Television Channel Trouble in 1997.
With recent problems at channel five( their lack of British drama, as the channel relies on US shows such as CSI and House) Lisa poached Neighbours from BBC1 for a reported £300million
Her channel was fined a record £300,000 by Ofcom after its daytime quiz Brainteaser faked the winners of a phone-in competition. It was one of a string of scandals surrounding TV phone-in quizzes
Five also had a lower market share than last year.
Sun rises for first time in four years
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/09/abcs.pressandpublishing
The article is about The Sun newspaper having an increase in circulation, this is partly due to the 20p price cut in London and the South East. The sold an average of over 3 million copies each day.
The Daily Express, Daily Star and Daily Mail also enjoyed year-on-year increases - the latter due to a big push into home delivery. Also in the article it gives various statistics about different newspapers and their circulation increase or decrease. i.e. the Daily Mirror has the lowest circulation of the newspapers stated with just over 1million, whereas newspapers such as the Daily Star are beginning to see an increase
I think that this article highlights the rise and fall in newspapers, as since the growth of the Internet, newspapers have slowly declined and The Sun has managed to increase its circulation by using offers and also reducing its price in certain areas of the country to keep circulation figure at over 3million
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/09/abcs.pressandpublishing
The article is about The Sun newspaper having an increase in circulation, this is partly due to the 20p price cut in London and the South East. The sold an average of over 3 million copies each day.
The Daily Express, Daily Star and Daily Mail also enjoyed year-on-year increases - the latter due to a big push into home delivery. Also in the article it gives various statistics about different newspapers and their circulation increase or decrease. i.e. the Daily Mirror has the lowest circulation of the newspapers stated with just over 1million, whereas newspapers such as the Daily Star are beginning to see an increase
I think that this article highlights the rise and fall in newspapers, as since the growth of the Internet, newspapers have slowly declined and The Sun has managed to increase its circulation by using offers and also reducing its price in certain areas of the country to keep circulation figure at over 3million
Sunday, November 11, 2007
marxist pluralist game
- The 21st Century audience has become more active(media illiterate) as there is now a diverse range of media to choose from and we have become more selective over what we watch.
-The ideas of diversity and selection are limited through media ownership, if institutions are in the hands of a single figure, the choice of media consumption is restricted. Furthermore, that ownership is in the hands of the elite - is that not hegemony?
-That 'wealthy elite' does not own the entire media. Audiences have many opinions. The media also provide what the audience want as otherwise their would not make any sales
-But influence is an important thing, especially when it is the 'wealthy elite' e.g. many teens will wear the same clothes their favourite celeb does.
-Yes they may do, but if their is a class division, the working lass people will not be able to afford to pay for clothes because the bourgeoisie - elite are constantly paying low wages to the proletariat - working class and therefore keeps them below them.
-Its not fair that their is a division in classes, people should not be discriminated against.
-There will always be 'wealthy elites' who have a lot of media ownership and social attitudes will stay bourgeoisie and proletariat.
-The ideas of diversity and selection are limited through media ownership, if institutions are in the hands of a single figure, the choice of media consumption is restricted. Furthermore, that ownership is in the hands of the elite - is that not hegemony?
-That 'wealthy elite' does not own the entire media. Audiences have many opinions. The media also provide what the audience want as otherwise their would not make any sales
-But influence is an important thing, especially when it is the 'wealthy elite' e.g. many teens will wear the same clothes their favourite celeb does.
-Yes they may do, but if their is a class division, the working lass people will not be able to afford to pay for clothes because the bourgeoisie - elite are constantly paying low wages to the proletariat - working class and therefore keeps them below them.
-Its not fair that their is a division in classes, people should not be discriminated against.
-There will always be 'wealthy elites' who have a lot of media ownership and social attitudes will stay bourgeoisie and proletariat.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Pluralism
In what ways do i agree with pluralism?
I do agree with Pluralism as the media is full of organisations competing with each other, also as an audience we are able to make decisions by ourselves as over time we have become more media illiterate..as we have become more selective over what we comsume.
An example is SKy and Tesco..who are offering broadband, Phone and Sky offers the TV package..unlimited channels. Also Tesco is one of the dominant supermarket stores..as they have Tesco metro, extra and express open in most places.
So both cater for the audience in similar ways.
I do agree with Pluralism as the media is full of organisations competing with each other, also as an audience we are able to make decisions by ourselves as over time we have become more media illiterate..as we have become more selective over what we comsume.
An example is SKy and Tesco..who are offering broadband, Phone and Sky offers the TV package..unlimited channels. Also Tesco is one of the dominant supermarket stores..as they have Tesco metro, extra and express open in most places.
So both cater for the audience in similar ways.
Writers' strike begins to hit UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/06/television2
A number of talk shows amongst other hit shows such as Heroes, Greys Anatomy and CSI could be affected by a strike by screenwriters, the last strike by screenwriters in 1988 lasted 22 weeks and cost the industry an estimated $500m
This latest dispute began after talks between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the Hollywood studios, collapsed on Sunday night. Late-night talk shows were first to be hit because they rely on topical scripts
Writers want higher fees, or "residuals", from work that is released on DVD or used online
The purpose of the strike is because writers want higher fees..They help write for the some of the top US shows such as Ugly Betty and CSI. This can also be seen an example of corporate greed, as large media organisations such as NBC and Paramount are not willing to pay writers more money.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2007/nov/06/television2
A number of talk shows amongst other hit shows such as Heroes, Greys Anatomy and CSI could be affected by a strike by screenwriters, the last strike by screenwriters in 1988 lasted 22 weeks and cost the industry an estimated $500m
This latest dispute began after talks between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the Hollywood studios, collapsed on Sunday night. Late-night talk shows were first to be hit because they rely on topical scripts
Writers want higher fees, or "residuals", from work that is released on DVD or used online
The purpose of the strike is because writers want higher fees..They help write for the some of the top US shows such as Ugly Betty and CSI. This can also be seen an example of corporate greed, as large media organisations such as NBC and Paramount are not willing to pay writers more money.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Sky ad claims shot down
http://media.guardian.co.uk/bskyb/story/0,,2197686,00.html
The ASA has banned an advert by Sky which claims that new and existing customers will get equally good deals with the company.
However soon after being aired subscribers complained to ASA that the advert was misleading as the advert stated "We believe it's right that all our customers should enjoy consistently low prices across all our products."
But new Sky customers only had to pay £49 for Sky+ however existing customers would have to pay £159 to upgrade.
Sky said standard prices should be seen as distinct from special offers - which the company argued did not come under the scope of its claim in the ads - that run for limited periods of time.
I think that sky should have made clear the terms and conditions as they mislead their customers. Due to the advert Sky could have also lost customers to rival Virgin Media, who use standard prices for new customers. Because the advert is banned Sky will have to invest more money into another ad campaign advertising their services.
Marxism
Checkpoint 1: even though they are both social classes, Proletariat are the working class who sell their labour and do not own the means of production and Bourgeoisie are the people that own the production that employs the Proletariat (working class). Bourgeoisie can then be divided further; wealthy Bourgeoisie- who do not need to work for themselves and petty Bourgeoisie – who employ others but also work for themselves
Checkpoint 2: The ideological State Apparatuses (ISA) operate alongside the Repressive State Apparatuses (RSA) to maintain Bourgeoisie ideologies which include; Religion, Education, political system and family. The ISA pass down ideologies through learning so that audiences presume that these are correct
How much of a Marxist am i?
i believe the ideologies set by Marx.. as i think that our society is divided into two social classes. The bourgeoisie and the proletariat - who are being exploited by working for almost nothing. Also the media does play a part in it, as they are feeding us information which may not necessarily be true but because we are seeing it in this particular form we assume that it is true.
Checkpoint 2: The ideological State Apparatuses (ISA) operate alongside the Repressive State Apparatuses (RSA) to maintain Bourgeoisie ideologies which include; Religion, Education, political system and family. The ISA pass down ideologies through learning so that audiences presume that these are correct
How much of a Marxist am i?
i believe the ideologies set by Marx.. as i think that our society is divided into two social classes. The bourgeoisie and the proletariat - who are being exploited by working for almost nothing. Also the media does play a part in it, as they are feeding us information which may not necessarily be true but because we are seeing it in this particular form we assume that it is true.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Roleplay
Bill: So whats the deal with globalisation..surely it can't be that big of a deal can it?
Ben: well it depends because global conglomerates are changing the face of the media and we should be aware of the changes that are happening and the issues they raise. Institutions such as AOL TimeWarner and Vivendi Universal are two of the largest, so that means that they are able to develop new media and genres as part of this new global culture.
Bill: oh i see.. so what about Rupert Murdoch, who owns a large stake of the media
Ben: well it depends because global conglomerates are changing the face of the media and we should be aware of the changes that are happening and the issues they raise. Institutions such as AOL TimeWarner and Vivendi Universal are two of the largest, so that means that they are able to develop new media and genres as part of this new global culture.
Bill: oh i see.. so what about Rupert Murdoch, who owns a large stake of the media
Ben: well he's a prime example, because he owns a large stake he is able to select and repackage the information to suit his needs. i.e. his newspaper The Sun may only support a particular political party therefore his paper may only publish news stories that are in favour of the party. So he is using media to force his opions upon us.
Bill: Also the US have been known to monopolise the global information system, which is unfair on other nations who have less power, so currently there are only a few global news organisations
This article is about The Sun newspaper, reaching a combined audience of 22.2million in the last month through print, online and mobile media. The sun are seeing a continuing growth in leadership, however over the past year the newspaper industry has been struggling
The Sun is the only paper that releases a combined audience figure across all platforms. Last month, the Sun cut its price to 20p in London and the south-east. The cut helped the red-top daily increase its circulation by 1.76% from August and kept its year-on-year decline to 0.1% - its best year-on-year figure for two years. Since last year their audience has increased by 2.7million
last month Sky, News of the World and The Sun jointly launched a mobile service
The Sun is beginning to establish itself as a successful newspaper. being available in different media forms Internet paper and mobile they are reaching different audiences. Therefore they will be increasing their readership every year. Recently the price of the newspaper has changed to 20p, so they are gaining new readers who may buy the paper because of the cheaper price compared to other papers.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
This article is about BBC Worldwide launching an operation base in Mumbai, India. This is the third office that has opened and BBC Worldwide intend to open another 4 more offices. Poland, France and Latin America have already been identified as possible locations.
The office based in India will be called BBC Worldwide Productions India and will make local versions of BBC formats as well as creating new shows. The BBC already has an established distribution business in India, with local versions of The Weakest Link as well as operating three other channels: BBC World, CBeebies and BBC Entertainment.
This article is important because India is seen as an important TV market and is immensely fast growing, by making production bases in different countries it positions BBC Worldwide as a leading global network, as they aim to repeat the success they had with the office in Los Angeles.
This also enables India to make their own version of BBC factual, entertainment and lifestyle programmes.
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