I have written questionnaires so that we as a group can collate all the data we receive.
The group is currently researching American TV shows vs British TV shows because we want to find out what it is that attracts both audiences and why. I also want to find out the statistics when it comes to America creating an adaption of a British TV show such as The Office.
I have made a poll on Facebook asking people what their favourite TV show is out of the three we are researching, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead and Doctor Who. I'm doing this because I want to see if there is a difference in the preference of male and female genres.
Breaking Bad is an interesting but realistic portrayal into the Crystal Meth industry and at times glamourises this. I have chosen to research this TV show and when doing so, I want to find out which multi platform experience's the show uses to engage it's audience and why.
AMC's website for Breaking Bad collate games for all five seasons and stills taken from the drama. In creating games, the website has engaged the audience further. The website has an in depth discussion board and forum where people are able to share links to different sites for viewing this drama such as Netflix or sites that people are able to stream content and watch spoilers. In doing this, the fans are able to ask questions and share commentary with fellow fans, which makes them more involved. The creators of the website can find out information from you as they are monitoring what you are writing, and so have an idea of what the audience wants.
There are featured quizzes on the website and ones that you can click on with the face of a character you may like/dislike suggesting the quiz may be related to him/her. When clicking on a quiz, you immediately see a pop up asking you to log in using your Facebook account in order to carry on the quiz which is engaging a wider audience. This is because your friends on Facebook are then made aware that you are either watching Breaking Bad or are doing something related, thus advertising itself and gaining more viewers. You can share you results via Facebook with other friends which again is gaining a wider audience for the show.
There are many character blogs throughout the website where audience is able to have a snoop around. You can continue to read these blogs on a link off the AMC website which I feel engages the audience more because you feel its more personal and real. Having character blogs is a good way in developing the character further and as ever, you are able to comment on the blog or share it via social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, gaining a wider audience. In engaging the audience this way, the creators of the blogs are making the audience aware that the characters are carrying on living their on screen life whilst the show is not on air, almost like a virtual life and so making the audience feel they can find out more than what the show is telling them or any secrets of characters.
There is a newsletter that the audience is able to sign up to where they are then able to get up to date information regarding Breaking Bad and its actors/plots/characters. In this is questions and answers between actors and links to competitions for prizes however, not just for Breaking Bad. This a good way to advertise similar dramas such as The Walking Dead by having a simple pop up to the right about entering a competition in order to win a car identical to that of one in the show. By stating that the car is the same as the one in the show engages the audience further and will make them feel superior to others than just having a normal car, even though the car is an inanimate object and wouldn't get you away from zombies any faster than a 'normal' car would...
Seasons four and five of Breaking Bad went straight to Netflix after premiering its episodes in USA and not even airing in the UK. It seems this is because of the ultimate fan base and the audience wanting to know straight away what happened next carrying on from the cliff hanger ending season four. Breaking Bad is a niche show with a bigger cultural cachet than it has ever had viewers!
Doctor Who star Matt Smith stated that his ultimate cross over fantasy episode would be Breaking Bad meets the Timelord. I found this rather interesting because the top three multi platform TV shows we are researching involve Doctor Who and Breaking Bad!
Below is a trailer for Breaking Bad:
Breaking Bad have created a very interesting second screen experience called 'story sync', which is designed to be timed up to date with the show. On it is an entertaining mix of photos, videos, polls and flashbacks from previous seasons. It has been cleverly tied to on screen action which is such great way to engage fans. The only down fall within the story sync experience is that when there is a break on the show, there is also a break on the story sync, therefore you are inundated with advertisements, and ones that are not related to Breaking Bad so you essentially have two screens of advertisements.
Just to make sure your not forgetting your second screen experience when watching the show, a small pop up noise is activated whenever there is a notification. This keeps the audience engaged in both screens, which almost can detract from the actual live show making you miss important plot moments. There are flashbacks throughout the story sync so that the audience is able to remember previous episodes.
I think that in having a noisy pop up whenever there is a notification is leaning toward distracting the audience...
Statistics for Breaking Bad:
- Series premiered in January 2008
- Filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Season 4 increased viewers 24 % over season 3 for adults 18 - 49, most growth for any drama on basic cable
- Audience grew 42% over season 3 (aged 18 - 34)
- Average of 1.9 million viewers
- 6 Emmy Awards
- 10 nominations in first 3 seasons
- Social Networking Statistics
- 4,046,240 number of fans
- 97,145 people talking about the show at one point
- 52% of the shows fan base is based in America
Throughout my research I intend to keep posting back with my findings and results from the presentation in uni. So far on the polls via social networking sites, Breaking Bad is coming top!
No comments:
Post a Comment