Researching Different

Types of Factual
Programmes
U27 LO3.1

News
Definition A regularly scheduled show on the radio or the television that
reports the current events happening in the world.
Conventions Studio News Readers, Live Anchors, Field Reporters, Links to
Studio, Mode of Address to the Viewer, Interviews, Experts and Witnesses,
Report Structure, Actuality Footage.
Bibliography - News program(2015) inWikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_program (Accessed: 13 April 2016), Terms, P.I.
(2016) Codes and conventions of news programs. Available at:
https://prezi.com/aly-l2gmf3vz/codes-and-conventions-of-news-programs/
(Accessed: 13 April 2016).

News
Example

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n3cszwwf

BBC News is an example of a news programme as it contains many different

conventions that fit into that category. It has Studio News Readers reporting on
current affairs (From 13/4/16), It has and has Interviews with Experts and
Witnesses involved in the event they are reporting on.

Documentary
Definition A non-fictional motion picture used to document an aspect of
reality, usually for the purpose of instruction or to maintain historical record.
Conventions Actuality Footage, Voiceover, Narrativisiation, Interview, Text,
Realism, Dramtization, Sound.
Bibliography Documentary film(2016) inWikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Documentary_film (Accessed: 13 April 2016),
Media, L.V. (2013) Buditobon. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/LVHS/codes-and-conventions-of-documentaries28738886 (Accessed: 13 April 2016).

Documentary
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnbQv6J6XtI

This David Attenborough documentary is an example of a documentary

programme because it contains many different conventions that fit into that
category. It has a Voiceover, describing and explaining what is going on in the
Actuality Footage

Docudrama
Definition A genre of a radio, television programming, feature film, and
staged theatre that acts out real life events.
Conventions Narrative Structure, Based on True Events, Contains Real Life
People or Characters Based on Them.
Bibliography Docudrama (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docudrama (Accessed: 13 April 2016),
daniellecleary (2012) Codes and conventions of the documentary drama.
Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/daniellecleary/codes-and-conventionsof-the-documentary-drama (Accessed: 13 April 2016).

Docudrama
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hco_Av2DJ8o

Micro Men is an example of a Docudrama because it contains many

conventions that fit into that category. It is a Narrative Structure following the
beginnings of the British Computer Industry, primarily following someone
playing Sinclair.

Docusoap
Definition An entertaining TV Programme about lives of real people,
particularly those who live in the same place or have the same job.
Conventions - Real People, Real Life Situation, Unscripted, Unrehearsed,
Provides Audience Opportunity to Follow Events as They Happen.
Bibliography Woodford, K. and Cambridge Dictionaries Online
(2016)Docusoap meaning in the Cambridge English dictionary. Available at:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/docusoap (Accessed: 13 April
2016), Raji, B. (2010)Sammwas. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/belair1981/reality-tv-revision-4525638 (Accessed: 13
April 2016).

Docusoap
Examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6giqmaLzS50

The Call Centre is an example of a Docusoap because it contains many

conventions that fit into that category. It is Unscripted and follows Real People
in Real Life Situations, and Provides the Audience an Opportunity to Follow the
Events as they Happen.

Infotainment
Definition A programme that provides a combination of Information and
Entertainment.
Conventions Big Personalities that Know About a Topic, Makes Facts &
Existing Footage More Interesting.
Bibliography Infotainment (2016) in Wikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infotainment (Accessed: 13 April 2016),
MorganMedia and profile, V. my complete (2012) Unit 27-Factual Programme
production techniques for television. Available at:
http://productiontechniques12.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/analysis-of-factualprogramming.html (Accessed: 13 April 2016).

Infotainment
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRNVClOuq4I

Soccer AM is an example of a Infotainment because it contains many

conventions from that category. It has Big Personalities talking passionately
about football, which then makes Facts more interesting. Putting music over
videos of people playing football makes Existing Footage More Interesting.

Reality TV
Definition A TV Programme in which ordinary people are continuously filmed
in manufactured situations, designed to be more entertaining than
informative.
Conventions Real People, Manufactured Situations, Competition, Popularity
Voting, Involves Viewing Public, Playing Up to the Cameras.
Bibliography Oxford (2016) Reality TV, inOxford Dictionary. Available at:
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/reality-tv (Accessed: 14
April 2016), Raji, B. (2010)Sammwas. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/belair1981/reality-tv-revision-4525638 (Accessed: 14
April 2016).

Reality TV
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjfdLnQCZME

Big Brother is an example of Reality TV as it contains many different conventions

from that category. It has Real People stuck in a Manufactured Situation of being
inside the house. The Viewing Public Votes for which one they want to leave, to
ensure this is not them, the contestants tend to Play Up to the Cameras.

Educational
Definition A programme that is written by the institution or ministry of
education which determines the learning progress of each subject.
Conventions Educational and Informative, Involves Facts and Statistics,
Serious, Not Usually Intended to Entertain.
Bibliography Educational program(2015) inWikipedia. Available at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_program (Accessed: 14 April 2016),

Educational
Examples

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF2HoUV2BJ0

This Public Service Announcement is an Educational Programme as it contains

many conventions from that category. It is Educational and Informative all
whilst being very Serious.

Wildlife
Definition A TV Programme which subject is wild animals in their natural
habitat.
Conventions Actuality Footage, Voiceover, Narrativisiation, Interview, Text,
Realism, Dramtization, Sound, Animals in their Natural Habitiat.
Bibliography Stewart, M. (2016) Do you need to know kwl to be kwl?
Available at: http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/wildlifeprogramme (Accessed: 14 April 2016), Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/LVHS/codes-and-conventions-of-documentaries28738886 (Accessed: 13 April 2016).

Wildlife
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te9jh-D__Rg

This David Attenborough documentary is an example of a Wildlife programme

because it contains many different conventions that fit into that category. It
has a Voiceover, describing and explaining what is going on in the Actuality
Footage being shown of wildlife in their natural habitat.

Special Interest
Definition A group of people or an organization making a programme about
one specific interest.
Conventions One Specific Interest, Factual and Informative, Enthusiastic.
Bibliography Google (no date) Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/?
ion=1&espv=2#safe=active&q=special+interest+definition (Accessed: 14
April 2016),

Special Interest
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hGb7dhb7TI

Extreme Fishing with Robson Green is an example of a Special Interest

Program as it contains many conventions from that category. It concentrates
on One Specific Subject and has someone talking about it more than
enthusiastically.

Makeover
Definition A show that helps people change their image or lifestyle.
Conventions Before & After, Presenter, Experts & Specialists, Deserving
People to Give Makeovers To.
Bibliography (no date) Available at:
http://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics/tv/tv-show-genres.html (Accessed:
14 April 2016), Philips, D. (2005) Transformation scenes the television interior
makeover,sagepublications.com, 8(2), pp. 213229. doi:
10.1177/1367877905052418.

Makeover
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxVBOGjMoRM

Plain Jane is an example of a Makeover Programme because it contains many

conventions from that category. It has a Presenter, and a quiet Deserving
Person to Give a Makeover To. They show Before & After frequently.

Magazine
Definition A regular television or radio programme comprising a variety of
topical items.
Conventions Presenter, Consistent Backgrounds, Colours and Graphics,
Personalities, Current Events, Entertaining.
Bibliography +program (2011) Magazine programme definition. Available
at: https://www.google.co.uk/search?
client=safari&rls=en&q=magazine+programme+definition&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF-8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=3xcUV57vCdHFaJzOhVA (Accessed: 17 April
2016).

Magazine
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe86BvAgCvo

The One Show is an example of a Magazine Programme because it contains many

conventions from that category. It contains Presenters to link each section,
Consistent Backgrounds, Colours and Graphics and shows Entertainment & Current
Events.

Discussion
Definition A radio or television programme in which various topics are
discussed.
Conventions Presenters, Consistent Backkgrounds, Colours and Graphics,
Opposing Sides, Live Audience.
Bibliography Oxford (2016) Discussion programme, in Oxford Dictionary.
Available at: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/discussionprogramme (Accessed: 17 April 2016).

Discussion
Example -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc6YH4-IHME

The Leaders Debate is an example of a Discussion Programme because it

contains many conventions from that category. It has a Presenter, a Live
Audience & Opposing Sides.

Review
Definition A programme where people review and discuss a product.
Conventions Two or More Hosts, Based on Something Specific, Pros & Cons
Bibliography

Review
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvM8g5IXW60

At The Movies is an example of a Review Programme as it contains many

conventions from that category. It has two Presenters discussing a Specific
Subject.

Chat Show
Definition A television or radio programme in which celebrities are invited to
talk informally about various topics.
Conventions Presenter, Guests, Interviews.
Bibliography +show (no date) Chat show definition. Available at:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?
client=safari&rls=en&q=chat+show+definition&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=rB0UV5SkK-bU8gfpp46IBg (Accessed: 17 April 2016),
ecclestona and ecclestona (2010) Chat show intro ppt. Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/ecclestona/chat-show-intro-ppt (Accessed: 17 April
2016).

Chat Show
Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nGz7xgGJzc

The Ellen Show is an example of a Chat Show as it contains many conventions

from that category. There us a Presenter, Special Guests and Interviews.