Worksheet 9: Audience Appeal - Uses and Gratifications Theory

TASK: Rank these uses and gratifications in order of most importance.

The host can be entertaining and may make you laugh or impress you
with their assertiveness, their wit/charm. You may be a fan of the
person and therefore enjoy watching anything they do for the fact
that it is a commitment which you want to honour and it gives you a
body of specialist knowledge which you covet. (1)
Because the competition is indirect (you are not actually in the studio
head to head with anyone) the format allows you all the joys of winning
and taking part, shouting at the screen, without the confrontation if
you dont get any right you can always say that you werent competing
anyway! (2)
They offer the opportunity to test your knowledge/intelligence
against someone the enjoyment both of affirming or boosting your
confidence in your own intelligence and the enjoyment of competing
against another. (3)
You may enjoy the voyeurism of watching real people and enjoy
criticising them and picking a favourite(s) to support, shouting and
cheering at the telly. (4)
The format, particularly aided by lighting, music and the skill of the
hosts provide drama with real people. (5)
With the aid of computer graphics making it easier to follow on
screen, you may enjoy the pleasure of playing along and genuinely
seeing how well you could have done. Quiz shows encourage very active
audiences. (6)
At (usually) 30mins and with no previous knowledge of
characters/narrative necessary, they provide quick and easily
accessible, non-committal viewing. (7)