Unit 6: Introduction to LO1

Why do media producers need to know their audience?

Media producers need to know who their audience is so that they know what their viewers
likes and dislikes are, with that the producers can make the show around the audience so
they can bring in as many views as possible.

Give examples of two media theories that explain how audience respond to media products
There are many media theories that have been made over the years. Some of the two main
ones are the hypodermic needle theory and the uses and gratification theory. The
hypodermic needle theory is one of the oldest theories, it shows that the media is injecting
its passive audience with views and the audience just go along with it. The uses and
gratification theory is a more recent and present day theory, it is an approach to
understanding why and how people seek out specific things in the media, this theory
focuses more on what people do with media rather than what does the media do to
people.

Which organisations supply audience information? Discuss which ones are the most use.