Somewhere in the catacombs of the Channel 4 headquarters is a small office full of highly educated and probably very well paid but little known officials called “Programme Schedulers”.
These representatives of C4`s backroom staff obviously have an extremely difficult job to do. ... Read review
Advantages: You need a VCR to get the most out of it. Disadvantages: Some wierd timings chosen.
...in the catacombs of the Channel 4 headquarters is a small office full of highly educated and probably very well paid but little known officials called “Programme Schedulers”.
These representatives of C4`s backroom staff obviously have an extremely difficult job to do. Their task is to plan the schedules of C4, sometimes months and sometimes years in advance, in order to successfully comply with and fulfil all the competing ... ...advertised
OK Channel 4. So who is it aimed at? The brain addled couch potatoes? The vast army of older, retired citizens settling down for a night in front of God Telly? All the millions of single people who never venture out? What about the millions who have video recorders, probably aimed at them as they wouldn`t be in.
I don`t really know.
The ABC network (and UK Sky TV) seem to think that it is aimed ... more
Somewhere in the catacombs of the Channel 4 headquarters is a small office full of highly educated and probably very well paid but little known officials called “Programme Schedulers”.
These representatives of C4`s backroom staff obviously have an extremely difficult job to do. Their task is to plan the schedules of C4, sometimes months and sometimes years in advance, in order to successfully comply with and fulfil all the competing criteria of a modern TV station.
If we consider what some of these criteria might be, a few of them will probably spring to mind to us untrained in these matters and appear quite self evident. What might some of them be?
1.Ratings. The obvious no1 thing to bear in mind is that you show programmes in order to be seen by viewers, more viewers means higher ratings so all other criteria are subsidiary to this one - or are they?
2.What time do you show the programme? The time that is frequently chosen to show new programmes is 9p.m. especially new dramas. This was the time slot chosen for ER and The West Wing both of which have enjoyed highly successful runs with huge viewing figures.
3.What day do you show it? Evidently Wednesday and Sunday nights are prime time slots guaranteed to achieve respectable ratings. ER was transmitted on Wednesday and West Wing on Sunday.
4.Advertisers. Money is generated on commercial television by filling in the advert breaks. More viewers will mean more people will see your advert so maybe this will mean more sales for your product. Shows achieving top ratings will command the highest cost for the advert and most income for the station. Cheapest slots will obviously be at times when viewing figures are deemed to be low.
5.What is the target audience? A show intended primarily for youngsters of school age will not be aired daytime during term time. Neither will a show aimed at the 18-30`s be shown evening time at 9.pm. particularly on Friday or Saturday nights for obvious reasons, transmission must be at a time when the targeted viewers are at home and likely to have tuned in!
6.Repeats. These can be a very delicate issue. Just what do you screen again and when do you screen it? How soon after the original showing do you give it another airing? As this has little to do with the rest of this essay, no more will be said about this.
So these criteria must be at the forefront of any thoughts and decisions that go into the scheduling of a new programme? Well you would think so but if we put into the spotlight, the time slot that a major new action-drama series has been given then it makes me wonder if the regulars were on holiday recently and the job was given to some work experience student instead! The show in question - Alias! And the time for transmission chosen - 5.30 on a Saturday afternoon!
Before judging this decision against the criteria above let`s look at some hard facts.
a) In the U.S this show was given a big build up prior to launch, being likened to an amalgam of the X-Files, 24, Mission Impossible and other major drama series of recent years. b) The time for transmission was chosen by ABC as 9.00 Sunday night - prime time! c) Over 15 million watched the first episode. d) Nominated for 11 Emmy Awards. e) Jennifer Garner, the lead was awarded the Golden Globe for newcomer in a dramatic role. f) She also came 4th in a poll for the sexiest woman on TV. g) First shown on British TV by Sky. They chose Wednesday night at 9.00 for it as they considered it a major addition to their programme listings.
If we put the time slot chosen by C4, for analysis against the criteria previously listed the decision to air it at 5.30 starts to seem a little strange. The time of 5.30 on a Saturday afternoon really puts some major obstacles in the programmes way.
Although the show is heavy on action, espionage, suspense, gadgetry and intrigue and requires a certain amount of mental agility to keep up with all the twists and turns in the plot, the time picked by the C4 boffins is generally for news, sport and totally brainless gameshows for the brain dead. Exactly what audience have C4 in mind for it?
It can`t be for all those workers still toiling away or trying to battle their way home. It can`t be for all the sports fans who have just been playing or watching their favourite activity. It can`t be for all those young families who have maybe spent the afternoon at the shops and are now wending their weary way homewards. It can`t be for all those young people who have just exhausted their bank balances and credit card limits stocking up at all the trendy stores. It can`t be for all the beautiful young things starting to think about what to do, what to wear and where to go on yet another night out.I can`t then be to get good ratings and sell products advertised
OK Channel 4. So who is it aimed at? The brain addled couch potatoes? The vast army of older, retired citizens settling down for a night in front of God Telly? All the millions of single people who never venture out? What about the millions who have video recorders, probably aimed at them as they wouldn`t be in.
I don`t really know.
The ABC network (and UK Sky TV) seem to think that it is aimed at a slightly more discerning and demanding audience, in the 18 - 55 age range, with a bit of brain power needed to get the most out of it but then, C4, what do they know?Stay tuned folks for my opinion of this fantastic show itself.
Advantages: Excellent range of programs of high quality Disadvantages: Doesnt have Bad girls, shows cricket matches
I always think of channel 4 as being the package holiday of the television world. Once there you can watch whatever you likr for free and the entertainment isnt all that bad. Get bored and you can walk to another resort such as the BBC for a little extra in the way of laughs.
THE TOP PROGRAMS:
Well, I have to say that I am personally a fan of this channel, simply because it has all the shows I like. The main head shows are as follows:
* Brookside(Weekdays ... ...dire and I tend to channel hop at this point. I always come back for the new series of Dawsons Creek though, ahhhhh :)
LATE NIGHT:
4 Music is a new feature that is being launched on Thursday nights and involves a top of the pops style show mixed with interviews and what not. All in all its actually rather good and as it isnt all chart music you can expect some good bands to show up too. If you dont fancy waiting up until 1am (although if this is ...
leahslad 14.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4
Apologies for this being about a show on C$, but as that said show has ended, I doubt that CIAO will give me a catagorey so it has to go here. Hence also why all ratings at end are mid-range.
The last series finished about 3 years ago. It was the best camera related show that has ever graced our screens? You think Big Brother and it's however many cameras are good, this was amazing with only 6 cameras. The show I am talking about is 'Wanted'. The ... ...go across the country for a week. Each day they had to perform a certain task. For example, one team had to get a 1-hour treatment at a health club each day. If they were successful they would receive £1000 between them. To prove their accomplishment they would have to film it [their task] being done. Where’s the fun in that I hear you yell! Well each step of the way (that was the theory anyway) they would be followed by a 'tracker'. This was someone ...
laserquester 16.05.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4
Advantages: stupidly funny Disadvantages: None from me
...10.30pm Channel 4
I’ve seen other Chinese and Japanese style game shows, but this one is on channel 4 so if you haven’t got sky/ sky digital you can still watch some crazy entertainment without paying extra cash.
Banzai sets up a number of challengers for each show. “Those dick is real” You will see 5 men stood in a line each with very bulging out under pants on. The screen will then flash different colours and then this ... ...Then he will say “betting over.”
Then they each stand forward pulling socks out of their pants until only one is left. Then he will pull is pants down and show you has big one. - (Not to be missed).
They will then line 5 women up and ask the viewers, Which one they think is really a man.
It’s so funny honestly; I’m on the floor in tears when we watch it. It’s not just the outrageous things what the people do when ...
misslook 24.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4
Advantages: Great for the younger generation Disadvantages: Can be boring on sundays!
...you normally end up watching channel 4. Why? Well basically because channel 4 is the only station that seems to cater for people in that age band that want to watch something entertaining that night and that’s just what channel 4 does, provides you with entertaining, if not a little weird program’s. It’s not just at nights that channel 4 excels itself though. In the morning there are often good program’s showing to be found, ... ...offer.
Starting from 8pm….
Channel 4 had the following:
Brookside – Well known soap, probably the UK’s 4th most widely watched soap
ER – Short for Emergency Room this is an American Medical drama, very good acting and filming and one I would recommend watching.
Teachers – A gritty, witty drama based around a twenty something teacher, very entertaining drama/comedy.
The Adam & Joe show – The best way in which ...
GR-Design 03.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4
Advantages: Has a wide range of excellent programmes Disadvantages: The excellent programmes aren't on until night time.
Channel Four stands as the best channel on terrestrial TV at the moment. It's alternative to the mass-market dross on ITV, the plain simple boringness of BBC1, and a pathetic waste of time in the shape of channel 5. I think it can only really compete with BBC2, maybe because these are the channels I watch most. Enough of the other channels though.
Football Italia is the main sports coverage, Gazzetta is an brilliant show on a Saturday morning (if ... ...the sport however, the Cricket, Channel 4 seems to dedicate a lot of its schedule to it. Some English people may find that it is great, but throwing a ball at 3 pieces of wood really isn't my scene, if I wanted to do this I'd get drunk more on a Saturday night and stumble down some alley after the Bouncer has thrown us out.
Channel 4 however excels at comedy. Past classics such as the amazingly brilliant Father Ted and the occasionally return Drop ...
atmity 24.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Channel 4
Quality and consistency...
Range of programming
Quantity of advertising
Value for money
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