Basic details
What do the letters BBC stand for?
The letters BBC stand for British Broadcasting Corporation.
How is the BBC funded?
The BBC is funded by the license fee that is paid by the public.
The BBC is funded by the license fee that is paid by the public.
What is the BBC's famous mission statement? (Clue: it's three words)
The BBC's famous mission statement is to inform, educate and entertain.
What is BBC1's programme remit?
The BBC1's programme remit is to be the most popular channel and to attract high viewing figures.
How does the BBC News at Six fit into BBC1's remit?
The BBC News at Six fits into the BBC1's remit because it attracts high viewing figures.
Presenters
Who are the presenters of BBC News at Six?
The presenters that present for the BBC News at 6 are Fiona Bruce,Sophie Raworth and George Alagiah which is currently on leave.
What are the presenters wearing? What does this communicate to the audience?
The presenters usually wear smart close so that they look professional but sometimes they wear suits but with a tie, they do this so that they can look casual and attract younger audience.
The presenters usually wear smart close so that they look professional but sometimes they wear suits but with a tie, they do this so that they can look casual and attract younger audience.
Why might a TV News programme use a variety of presenters?
They use a variety of presenters because they each have a different role to play in presenting the news and they have a different personality or race so they might attract a wider audience as more people are likely to relate to the presenters
They use a variety of presenters because they each have a different role to play in presenting the news and they have a different personality or race so they might attract a wider audience as more people are likely to relate to the presenters
How are other reporters or presenters used in the TV news programme?
Different reporters are used in the programme, because they all have different roles as well as different skills. They all specialise in different things.
Different reporters are used in the programme, because they all have different roles as well as different skills. They all specialise in different things.
Is there a balance between male and female presenters? What about race/ethnicity? What effect might these aspects have on an audience?
No, there are more female presenters. This may attract a wider female audience as females are more likely able to relate to the presenters. The male presenters might not want to watch the news because they wont be able to relate.
Opening sequence
Analyse the opening 2 minutes of the programme.
What is the very first shot?
Is a reporter summarising stories about the Nepal earthquake.
How does the opening sequence use graphics or images to grab the attention of the audience?
The opening sequence graphics are of the world probably to show that they cover news from around the world.
How is music used in the opening sequence?
The music begins at the beginning of the graphics and fades into the beginning of the coverage of the first news headline.
How are news stories introduced in the opening two minutes? Is there just one story or are the audience told what will be coming up later?
Most of the time is taken up by the top story however some information about the other stories that are to be shown are given.
Studio mise-en-scene
What aspects of the studio can be seen by the audience?
The cameras, microphone, lighting and the desks of people working in the background of the studio in the Establishing shot.
The cameras, microphone, lighting and the desks of people working in the background of the studio in the Establishing shot.
Are the presenters standing or behind desks? Why do you think this is?
The presenter is behind the desk at the start and then standing up when delivering some stories. This is because they use the screen behind the presenter to show statistics using the animated graphics.
The presenter is behind the desk at the start and then standing up when delivering some stories. This is because they use the screen behind the presenter to show statistics using the animated graphics.
Are journalists or technology visible? What might these things suggest to the audience?
The technology is visible in the Establishing shot which suggest to the audience that this is live and the news they are getting is new.
The technology is visible in the Establishing shot which suggest to the audience that this is live and the news they are getting is new.
How does the studio use colour?
The studio use the BBC's news colours which is red and white. It is established throughout the studio.
The studio use the BBC's news colours which is red and white. It is established throughout the studio.
How news stories are presented
How does the news programme typically present a story?
The news programme presents a story by slowly giving details. They use animated graphics to show statistics or other key details about a story.
The news programme presents a story by slowly giving details. They use animated graphics to show statistics or other key details about a story.
What difference techniques does the programme use to present the news? (E.g. presenter to camera, reporter on location, interviews, graphics, images, video etc.)
They do use presenter to camera and also, reporter on location, interviews, animated graphics, images, videos and also use members of the public to give their views.
They do use presenter to camera and also, reporter on location, interviews, animated graphics, images, videos and also use members of the public to give their views.
What types of news does the TV News programme typically cover? Give five examples (e.g. politics, international, sport etc.)
They cover: World/International, Business, Politics, Sport and Education.
They cover: World/International, Business, Politics, Sport and Education.
Give two real examples of how news stories are presented to keep the interest of the audience.
During the story about Tesco and their losses BBC News at Six use an interview and stats at the start of the programme that last about 10 seconds and then show other stories. As this was the main headline it came first and they use an interview in short bursts throughout the whole story to create a timeline.
Also during the story about Syria using chemical weapons, BBC News at Si used interviews and also the Syrian's view about whats happening on their side. It shows that they are trying to stick to their remit and OFCOM'S expectations.
During the story about Tesco and their losses BBC News at Six use an interview and stats at the start of the programme that last about 10 seconds and then show other stories. As this was the main headline it came first and they use an interview in short bursts throughout the whole story to create a timeline.
Also during the story about Syria using chemical weapons, BBC News at Si used interviews and also the Syrian's view about whats happening on their side. It shows that they are trying to stick to their remit and OFCOM'S expectations.
Running order
Watch the first 15 minutes of the programme – as recent as you can find.
What is the top story?
The main story is about an earthquake that happened in Nepal.
The main story is about an earthquake that happened in Nepal.
How long does the top story last for?
This story lasts for about 10 minutes.
This story lasts for about 10 minutes.
What are the other stories the programme does or will cover? List them in the order they are presented in (the ‘running order’).
The other stories that are mentioned during the programme are:
The Assaults by Australian Nurse
General Election.
The other stories that are mentioned during the programme are:
The Assaults by Australian Nurse
General Election.
How long is each story shown for?
All of the stories where shown for about 5 minutes each.
All of the stories where shown for about 5 minutes each.
Why do you think each story was shown for the time it was?
I think that those stories were shown for 5 minutes because they are not the main one which happened very recently.
I think that those stories were shown for 5 minutes because they are not the main one which happened very recently.
Audience
What is the target audience for this BBC News at Six? Research online – you should be able to find plenty of suggestions to the target audience if not the official target audience of the programme.
The BCC News at Six target audience is 13 years old to around 75 years old.
The BCC News at Six target audience is 13 years old to around 75 years old.
What are the viewing figures for BBC News at Six?
On average they have around 4 million viewers.
Why might someone choose to watch this TV news programme over others?
They us more modern methods to show/inform the public about the news. They use animated graphics to show statistics rather than bullet points.They also use presenters that wear casual clothes and for people who watch that type of news feel that they can relate to them as they might wear casual clothes in their life.
Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or comment?
The audience can comment and talk on the social media and website links that are shown in the bar on the bottom on the headlines and other news
The audience can comment and talk on the social media and website links that are shown in the bar on the bottom on the headlines and other news
What audience pleasures (Uses and Gratifications theory – Blumler and Katz) does the programme offer?
Out of the 4 theories, BBC News at Six have used: Surveillance and possibly personal identity.
Out of the 4 theories, BBC News at Six have used: Surveillance and possibly personal identity.
Institution
What other news programmes and services does the BBC offer in addition to the BBC News at Six?
In their services the BBC owns channels such as: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Parliament, BBC Alba.
They also own BBC Red Button which is on all the BBC Channel. It's like their Teletext services that they used to own which was called Ceefax.
What role does OFCOM have in making sure TV News is fair and accurate?
The OFCOM makes a set of rules for every programme that is displayed on the television. For the News programme the rules are set in Section 5 in the Ofcom rules.
The BBC has been accused of 'dumbing down' the News at Six. What does this mean? Do you agree with the accusation that the news is 'dumbed down'?
'Dumbing Down' means using more modern methods of telling. showing the news e.g. using animated graphics to show statistics rather than using bullet points on a screen to show them with the presenter sitting down at a desk rather than standing holding an iPad.
I do agree that the BBC News at Six has dumbed down. But because this is a family show they use more modern methods to make it understandable.
TV News and Digital Media
Does the TV News programme have a dedicated website?
They do not have a dedicated website however they do have a link to their show on the main BBC News website and the link is here.
What does the website offer viewers?
The website offers last night news for people who have missed it and it is available until midnight. Also it offers clips from the current news show.
Does the TV News programme have a Twitter feed?
They do not own a twitter account however they use the main News Channel account which is @BBCNews.
How does the Twitter feed promote the programme?
The twitter feed promotes the programme by showing clips of the news as well as different stories. Also they give news from the other programmes.
Is there an opportunity for the audience to get involved in the programme or submit news stories?
The is an opportunity for the audience to get involved by comment their opinions as well as their stories on twitter using hashtag @BBCNews.
