Basic details
1. When is Channel 4 News on?
Channel 4 News is on Monday to Friday at 7pm.
2. When was the programme first broadcast?
The first programme was broadcasted in 1982.
3. What awards has the programme won?
Channel 4 news won the International Emmy Award for News, British Academy Television Award for Best News Coverage and British Academy Television Award for Best News and Current Affairs Journalism.
4. What is the media institution that produces Channel 4 News?
By the people who pay tax to have a tv/tax payers and the government.
Presenters
1. Who are the presenters?
The presenters are Jon Snow, Krishnan Murthy, Cathy Newman and Matt Frei
2. What are the presenters wearing? What does this communicate to the audience?
They are wearing formal clothing, which suggests to the audience that the news they are reporting is not a joke and they take their job seriously.
3. Why might a TV News programme use a variety of presenters?
They may use a variety of presenters as it appeals to a different audience and the different audience need to be represented in the show by having a variety of presenters and that way they have more of a chance of having a liked and respected presenter.
4. How are other reporters or presenters used in the TV News programme?
They are used to present other news stories because different reporters are supposed to cover different stories for example the political reporting a news story which relate to politics and then report would be different compared to sports and other reports.
5. Is there a balance between male and female presenters? What about race/ethnicity? What effect might these aspects have on an audience?
There is range of presenters but the balance between male and female presenters are not the same they have more male presenters than female. Also there aren’t a lot of races and ethnicities as they are outnumbered by white/British.
Opening sequence
1. What is the very first shot?
The first show was a picture briefly introducing the main story.
2. How does the opening sequence use graphics or images to grab the attention of the audience?
They use a variety of colours with a white surface and they have featured videos to draw attention to the main story – the connotations of this are slightly informal.
3. How is music used in the opening sequence?
The music is very dramatic and adds serious notes to the new programme.
4. How are news stories introduced in the the first news story briefly and then play the opening sequence – afterwards, they present the other new stories saying when they are coming up.
Studio mise-en-scene
1. What aspects of the studio can be seen by the audience? (Desk, cameras etc.)
You see the lights and background – airy and spacious it is – no green screens – very realistic.
2. Are the presenters standing or behind desks? Why do you think this is?
They are either standing or sitting on a desk – this makes it seem so much more informal and as if the presenters are talking to you directly to the audience which creates a more relaxed atmosphere.
3. Are journalists or technology visible? What might these things suggest to the audience?
Some technology is visible (overhead cameras) which may show how modern the studio is – however, the technology is no overdone so it doesn’t look cheap and fake.
4. How does the studio use colour?
The studio uses a wide range of colour including white, purple, pink, red and orange which adds fun and colour to make it seem more informal and can target a wider range of audience, also uses the channels colour purple.
How news stories are presented
1. How does the news programme typically present a story?
They use a voice over to give an intro into the story and then they then use interviews and the talk to the camera in front of a screen.
2. What difference techniques does the programme use to present the news? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)
The use all of the above which makes their show interesting it also adds different techniques to make the show appeal all types of audiences.
3. What types of news does the TV News programme typically cover? Give five examples (e.g. politics, international, sport etc.)
This show covers a wide range of stories to attract different audiences – it includes serious offences and crimes (murder) and also covers entertainment, politics, international news (America and Syria ) etc.
4. Give two real examples of how news stories presented to keep the interest of the audience.
They are presented through user generated content which gives the impression that the news they are reporting affects others but makes it really dramatic and interesting.
Running order
1. What is the top story?
Immigration control.
2. How long does the top story last for?
About 4 or 5 minutes the longest.
Audience
1.What is the target audience for this TV News programme? Research online – you should be able to find plenty of suggestions to the target audience if not the official target audience of the programme.
The target audience is a wide range – from about 16 to 60 as it contains very light topics, harsh topics and topics that affect different social classes which fits a variety of the audience.
2. Why might someone choose to watch this TV News programme over others?
This programme is slightly left wing but is not biased and contains mixed views and a diverse crew as well as a being slightly spontaneous.
3. Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or comment?
There are social media tags and links which you can follow to help you find something or have your view on the topic.
Institution
1. Who owns, runs or produces this TV News programme?
This channel is owned by the government.
2. Does the institution own, run or produce any other TV News programmes, channels or newspapers?
It owns E4, more 4, 4 music, 4 seven and 4od.
3. How does the programme fit the TV channel it is on?
The programme fits the channel as channel 4 news is known to be quite outspoken and opinionated and channel 4 is known to educate, inform and to say their opinions.
4. What role does OFCOM have in making sure TV News is fair and accurate?
They have a broadcast code which makes sure that shows are impartial and routine with no biased views or influences.
TV News and New/Digital Media
1. Does the TV News programme have a dedicated website?
Channel 4 has a dedicated website to broadcast the news channel and give extra details on the news stories they have reported.
2. What does the website offer viewers?
the website offers different things such as politics sports and timetable.
3. Does the TV News programme have a Twitter feed
Channel 4 news has Twitter feed and extra news and the latest news from where they can be a insider and tell them about what is happening.
