TV Chart Show Conventions

NETWORK MUSIC TV SHOW GENRES:
CHART, MAGAZINE, LIVE/PERFORMANCE, TALENT/SHOWCASE

CHART SHOW FORMS AND CONVENTIONS:

Always feature that weeks Top 20/40 mainstream pop chart
Chart run-down from 40/20 – No.1 = show always ends by revealing 'this weeks number one!'
Music chart is represented by music videos and 'as-live' performances.
Also represented by visual 'stings' / idents = identifying chart position (number) of featured act/song
Professional dancers feature heavily
Audience participation is key – dancing, cheering and clapping
Two presenters = one male and one female
High energy short presenter links between the acts or videos
Genre has own chart language to explain progress (or not) of chart position/entry =
'straight in at number 13; in with a bullet at 7; droppin' two places to this weeks number 9; shooting up ten places to this weeks number 3; just missed the top spot at...' etc etc.
Typical programme length - half hour durations.
Typically aimed at the 12 – 25 age group

Style & Format

Lighting: strobe, directional, multi coloured, bright, fluorescents/ usually in shot
Frequent lighting changes to reflect different moods in music
One or two stages: elevated from audience (presenter usually on differetn stage from acts)
frequent set changes to reflect different bands/songs
Gantry for audience viewing / dancing
Camera work fast, lots of sweeping pans, close-ups/intimate (front row view). Edited as-live / cut to the beat / visual fx / cameras not in shot
sound: loud, highly compressed, presenters 'shout' their links over cheering from audience
music videos/acts last for around 3 minutes
typically feature 7 chart songs
Show plays out/ends with that weeks number one song.


Sub Genre/variation:

Chart shows that feature on todays Digital Music Channels which have no live acts / no presenters (just voice over) and are made up of pop videos and clips. More 'montage' than 'live' or 'as-live'.


Issues and debates to consider with genre:


Q: Why has this genre largely died out on terrestrial television?

l Is it due to changing consumer habits, preferences and attitudes?

=Individualism as opposed to following mainstream trends now takes precedence in youth cultures?

=Multi channel music television?

=The internet? Mobile downloads?

=(pop) music not so important in youth culture (Xbox, games, fashion, TV, other?)


Assignment: 200 words max

Explaining your feelings about this genre:

If you do agree that this genre of TV show is a 'dead format' on network terrestrial television explain why.

If you feel it's still a valid format on network terrestrial television and should be brough back - explain why.