Audiences

 

Audiences

 

What is an audience?

An audience is an individual or collective group of people who read or consume any media text.

 

Why are audiences important?

Audiences are important because without them there would be no media. Media organisations produce media texts to make profit and with no audience there would be no profit. The mass media is becoming more competitive than ever to attract more and more audiences in different ways and stay profitable.

 

What impact does new technology have on audiences?

Old media (for example TV, Print and Radio) which need to have  high audience numbers must now work harder to maintain audience numbers. Digital technology has revolutionised production, distribution, marketing and exhibition.

 

Types of Audiences:

 

Mass Audience - often termed 'broadcast audience', are those who consume mainstream or popular texts such as soaps or sitcoms.  Its a diversified collection of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication, broadcasted by media such as film, radio, recorded music, or television.

 

Niche Audience - much smaller but very influential. A niche audience is a small, selective group of people with a very unique interest.