- What do the letters BBC stand for? British Broadcasting Corporation
- How is the BBC funded? The BBC is funded through tax payers and the license of a TV
- What is the BBC's famous mission statement? (Clue: it's three words)Inform, educate and entertain
- What is BBC1's programme remit? BBC One's remit is to be the BBC's most popular mixed-genre television service across the UK - offering a wide range of high-quality programmes. A very high proportion of its programmes should be original productions (BBC website)
- How does the BBC News at Six fit into BBC1's remit? They offer a mixed genre television service and appeal to a wide range of people of different lives - it fits into peoples schedules
Presenters
- Who are the presenters of BBC News at Six? Main presenters are Fiona Bruce and Sophie Raworth
- What are the presenters wearing? What does this communicate to the audience? They are wearing suits and formal clothing which connotes a serious presentation
- Why might a TV News programme use a variety of presenters? To commit to a diverse community and represent different minority groups - they are being funded by the public, therefore it must seem like it
- How are other reporters or presenters used in the TV news programme? Other presenters are used for interviewers and off studio presenters
- Is there a balance between male and female presenters? What about race/ethnicity? What effect might these aspects have on an audience? There is a fair amount of males and females - it is diverse - they do this so it appeals to the public
Opening sequence
Analyse the opening 2 minutes of the programme.
- What is the very first shot? The presenter at the desk - introducing the show
- How does the opening sequence use graphics or images to grab the attention of the audience? They use the world with cities etc
- How is music used in the opening sequence? The music is dramatic and lively which connotes the seriousness of this news programme
- How are news stories introduced in the opening two minutes? Is there just one story or are the audience told what will be coming up later? The news stories are said and briefly touched and then it cuts to the opening sequence
Studio mise-en-scene
- What aspects of the studio can be seen by the audience? The background of computers, the pan over the entire studio and cameras
- Are the presenters standing or behind desks? Why do you think this is? They sometimes stand and sometimes sit - the standing is slightly informal which takes away from the seriousness
- Are journalists or technology visible? What might these things suggest to the audience? You can see the journalists and full studio as well as the cameras etc - you can see everything which suggests that not everything is done on a green screen//in front of a image - there is more to the studio
- How does the studio use colour? The use red and white mainly which may symbolise politics
How news stories are presented
- How does the news programme typically present a story? Following and introduction with images - then a short interview - outside the studio refrences
- What difference techniques does the programme use to present the news? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.) Presenter to the camera, interviews, reporters on location, graphics, images, videos etc
- What types of news does the TV News programme typically cover? Give five examples (e.g. politics, international, sport etc.) Politics, international news, local news, weather, sport
- Give two real examples of how news stories are presented to keep the interest of the audience.It starts off with Tesco which is slightly boring but then moves onto serious news about abuse
Running order
- Watch the first 15 minutes of the programme – as recent as you can find.
- What is the top story? The top story is about Tescos losses
- How long does the top story last for? For 10-15 minutes
- What are the other stories the programme does or will cover? List them in the order they are presented in (the ‘running order’). Top story, sub stories, sport
- How long is each story shown for? About 5 min
- Why do you think each story was shown for the time it was? To emphasise some and use some as breaks
Audience
- What is the target audience for this BBC News at Six? Research online – you should be able to find plenty of suggestions to the target audience if not the official target audience of the programme.
- What are the viewing figures for BBC News at Six?
- Why might someone choose to watch this TV news programme over others?
- Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or comment?
- What audience pleasures (Uses and Gratifications theory – Blumler and Katz) does the programme offer?
Institution
- What other news programmes and services does the BBC offer in addition to the BBC News at Six?
- What role does OFCOM have in making sure TV News is fair and accurate?
- The BBC has been accused of 'dumbing down' the News at Six. What does this mean? Do you agree with the accusation that the news is 'dumbed down'?
