Case study 4: independent research

You have already worked on three strong TV News case studies:

1) Channel 4 News case study focusing on in-depth international news and investigative reporting

2) BBC News at Six case study focusing on more UK-based news stories and accessible news presentation such as animation, Q&A between presenter and reporter and other techniques (the BBC has been accused of 'dumbing down' the news by presenting it in this way).

3) UK General Election coverage case study - with one story covered by four different TV news programmes.

Important: check your blog to make sure these are completed and published.

Now you need to work on some independent research of two other TV news programmes aimed at younger viewers. The exam brief may well ask you to target a younger audience so it's important to pick up how existing programmes try and appeal to that market.

Complete the following tasks on your blog:

BBC Newsround

1) Watch yesterday's Newsround on BBC iPlayer (it's on the CBBC channel) plus the YouTube clips here:





2) How does Newsround use the key conventions of TV news?

3) Who are the presenters for BBC Newsround? Why do Newsround have a variety of presenters?

4) Are any other presenters or reporters used?

5) What does the studio look like? How is technology used in programme?

6) What is the opening sequence to Newsround? Does it fit the key conventions of TV news?

7) How does Newsround typically present a news story? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)

8) Who is the target audience for Newsround? You may want to research this online.

9) Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme? Do young people feature in the news programme at all?

10) What news stories are covered in the broadcasts you have watched? List ALL the stories that are covered AND the order that they appear in. How long does each story appear for?


BBC3 60 Second News

1) Watch these YouTube clips of the BBC3 60 Second News:



2) How does the BBC3 60 Second News use the key conventions of TV news?

3) Who are the presenters for the BBC3 60 Second News? What do you notice about their age and how they are dressed?

4) Are any other presenters or reporters used?

5) What does the studio look like? How is technology used in programme? How are graphics used in the presentation of the news?

6) What is the opening shot of the BBC3 60 Second News? Does it fit the key conventions of TV news?

7) How does the BBC3 60 Second News typically present a news story? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)

8) Who is the target audience for the BBC3 60 Second News? You may want to research this online. Why does the BBC feature news on a predominantly entertainment-based channel?

9) Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme? Do young people feature in the news programme at all?

10) What news stories are covered in the broadcasts you have watched? List ALL the stories that are covered AND the order that they appear in. How long does each story appear for?


Extension activities

1) Find as many episodes of both Newsround and the BBC3 60 Second News online and embed the videos in your blog.

2) List the stories that each broadcast covers and why these might appeal to the audience for these programmes.

3) Choose the three most memorable stories as examples that you can use in Task 1 in the exam. Why are they good examples that reflect that programme's style?

Anything you don't finish in the lessons - complete for homework. Due next Tuesday.