TV & Technology

Over the years technology has begun to improve due to the change in TV demands. As an audience we now consume TV in a variety of ways. This has become the norm to watch TV any hour of the day, whether its on your iPad, computer or catching up on recorded programmes. The increase of independent viewing has damaged the concept of 'family TV', highlighting the social strains on families and their time spent together. The ongoing list of programmes available on sky can create disagreements within the family environment also showing a negative view of more recent technology.
This is reflected in the loss of a mass audience, which is now seen as a fragmented one. The niche targeted programmes provides an avenue for a particular group of people. These can be seen in the 'sister channels' provided. E4, More4 and 4seven are just some of the channels that offer a specific genre of TV listed programmes. However this can be seen as catering for all audiences showing todays technology in a positive light.

Another aspect to consider is the high production value that is now included in many TV programmes. CGI is often incorporated in programmes to create a more enriched experience to TV viewing. This broadens the imagination of others and offers a sense of escapism.

By the ongoing inventions of iPads, iPods laptops and smart phones, broadband and live streaming has become second nature. By internet access being labelled as a 'fundamental right' it is expected for many of the millions to find themselves catching up on the latest talked about programmes. Word of mouth through the concept of social networking also influences consumers. A popular site such as twitter is able to inform by the use of 'hash-tagging' words or phrases that then continue to trend on the website. This is an easy way to highlight awareness of programmes or celebrity appearances.

Homeland is targeted at a fragmented audience. However through the use of technology, viewings would expect to increase through the use of catch up on 4od. Channel 4+ is also a popular concept that allows you to watch programmes an hour later if the scheduled time does not fit your routine. The CGI used to create bombing scenes also attracts attention and supports the genre of a political thriller.

Mass Audience v Fragmented Audience

A mass audience aims to reach a large audience in means of public communication. The institution of BBC aims to 'enrich people's lives with programmes and services that inform, educate and entertain'. Programmes such as Eastenders reaches an audience of 8,675,000. This soap creates an 'easy watch' during the times of 20.00, when many have eaten dinner and sat down with their family to watch TV and relax.

Strictly Come Dancing has been suggested  to have a mass audience, creating views of 11.41 million on a Saturday evening. As a family programme, many can watch the programme without seeing the previous episode. As an opinion based show, including the four judges it allows the audience to create their own thoughts of the celebrities involved. Many will also watch the programme in order to see the celebrities they prefer and some they may even dislike to decipher an opinion on them. The age range of the celebrities allows both parent and child to recognise them. Therefore the programme provides a variety and chance for families to watch together. The date and time scheduled also suggests the targeted audience being mass with the time being 18:31 on a Saturday. The specific time targets audiences whilst eating dinner or before they go out. 

Homeland on the other hand can be seen as a fragmented audience, reaching 3.04 million viewers. Shown on Channel 4 the US show reaches a more niche audience. The genre of the programme initially defines who would watch it. As a political thriller, it may not be classed as a family programme, including sexual and violent scenes. The scheduled time of 21.00 on Sunday is a significant factor, highlighting the narrow audience who would still be awake at this time. Many would be getting ready for work on Monday. However others would choose this time to unwind or relax with a film rather than a programme that needs concentration. 
Channel 4 as an institution aims at different ethnicities as well as advertising American shows. This would particularly gain a wider audience with the variety of ethnic groups within Homeland. However many of the British public prefer  to watch British shows. 
As a TV series it would be hard to jump into episode 5 without initially watching the programme and following the narrative. This would also highlight the fragmented audience. 

Hartley & Fiske

Hartley

• Self - Grouped by aspirations
• Gender - Associated motives by gender
• Age Group - Range of needs, priorities and aims depending on age
• Family - Positioning in the family: parent or child
• Class - Social classes show different expectations individuals have
• Nation - The style and actions a country takes
• Ethnicity - The ethnic group may portray different stereotypical meanings to different ethnic audiences

Concepts considered when aiming a text at a particular audience. Hartley has established 7 areas of an individual that must be evaluated when regarding socialising them. 

Fiske has developed these categories adding:

Fiske

• Religion - Involvement of different beliefs or ideologies 
• Education - How certain people receive a text based on their level of education
• Political Stance - Different groups have different beliefs 
• Region (urban v rural)  - Stereotypical ways of living depending where you come from - Iconography 

All of the above must be contemplated when deciding whether an individual or group would consume a text for a certain reason.

In relation to Homeland's audience, the factors of Hartley and Fiske's audience theory are looked upon in relation to who watches Homeland. The expected audience who would consume the TV series would range from 25-50 white American men from upper lower class to middle class. 

     As a programme post 9/11 the American audience would particularly be effected. Since the threat of terrorism is apparent, the 'alpha male' facade and the instinct to protect would entice the target audience to watch the thriller in order to gain an insight on America and terrorism. The concept of an American soldier turned would provoke the well respected country America is known for.

      As a political thriller we would expect mainly a male audience. However due to the anti-classical narrative of a female protagonist, this widens the audience. Carrie's sexuality is driven away from her less feminine ways. This narrows the male audience who would stereotypically objectify the women in this particular genre. 

Episode:Grace- Audience Positioning

In episode two of Homeland we start to sympathise with the character of Brody. The ongoing flashbacks helps us to relate to his traumatic experience he has had. Both positioning of Brody and Carrie are shown asleep as they are awoken by Brody's nightmare. The gun noise also startles us and creates a clear distinction between the past and reality.
As an opening shot we see Brody exhausted yet fearless as he chants the patriotic song. This suggests he is still respectful of his country, making the audience almost proud he hasn't given up.
The episode is created post 9/11 enhancing a personal response to the American audience. As Brody is comforted by the corner of his room the increasing ringing sound causes him to become more irritable. This creates tension for the audience as we are unaware of what Brody will do in his fragile state. The flashback to Brody holding himself in the corner of the Iraq prison also highlights the trauma he has been through and how he is effected. He is unable to control his thoughts which results in apart of him being unable to escape what happened to him in his past. This makes the audience question if he has recovered and whether this isn't the end of his torture.
This is also enhance when Jess informs him of his violence during the night. We can see he is sorry for how he has hurt his wife and almost shocked he was capable of hurting her. He remains to have no control over what is happening.

Classical or Anti-classical Narrative

A classical narrative consists of a basic structure involving distinct stages. At first there is the equilibrium. The hero is set in a calm and balanced environment. An outsider then disrupts the equilibrium. The remaining characters recognise that something has changed and they must search for a solution. An attempt to restore balance is made to then finally return to equilibrium. This is Todorov's theory of a Narrative structure.

In regards to Homeland this is not the case necessarily. We are first introduced to the characters in a manic formation rather than a calm balance. Enigma is created by leading on the TV series with cliffhangers at the end of each episode. This challenges the concept of a classical narrative as Todorov's theory relates more to films rather than a TV series.
Homeland explores elements of an anti-classical narrative by having a female protagonist. Her character itself challenges Mulvey's theory of the male gaze and the idea of objectifying women. Carrie is portrayed as a strong, determined character.

The character David also counter argues the conventions of a classical narrative, going against the race of a stereotypical CIA boss. He obtains a powerful position and makes decisions, controlling Saul and Carrie-both respected characters. We wouldn't usually see an african-american in this position.