MS4 Text, Industry and AudienceMS4 Text, Industry and Audience

Learning objectives: to explore how Black Mirror meets Channel 4’s remit requirements

Learning outcomes: to have made the link between Broadcasting legislation and textual evidence from the show

EBI: to apply knowledge of Channel 4’s cultural and political history

What do you imagine the broadcasting remit is for British TV

channels?

An Act of Parliament giving full power over

telecommunications to Ofcom Helps to maintain both quality and impartiality Applicable to all TV broadcasters including

Channel 4

2003 Communications Act

The Channel's primary purpose is the fulfillment of its public service remit, which was most recently defined in the 2003 Communications Act. This states that "the public service remit for Channel 4 is the provision of a broad range of high quality and diverse programming which, in particular:(a) demonstrates innovation, experiment and creativity in the form and content of programmes;

(b) appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society;

(c) makes a significant contribution to meeting the need for the licensed public service channels to include programmes of an educational nature and other programmes of educative value; and

(d) exhibits a distinctive character." •Using textual evidence from Black Mirror, suggest how the show fits into the Channel 4 remit, in particular, the criteria defined in the 2003 Communications Act.

• Why do you think Black Mirror was suited

to a slot on Channel 4, rather than E4? Consider elements of representation and genre as well as using the information detailed above.

Watch the opening sequence to Black Mirror Episode Two ‘15 Million

Merits’

Identify common elements in this episode compared to Episode One : The National Anthem

Consider: •Themes•Visual style•Social commentary•Characterisation and narrative

Plenary

What makes this show typical of Channel 4 programming?