Audience expectations

Definition

Audience expectations refer to the assumptions and beliefs that viewers have about what they will experience when engaging with a television program. These expectations are shaped by various factors such as genre conventions, previous experiences, marketing, and cultural context. Understanding these expectations is crucial for producers and critics alike, as they influence how a show is received and interpreted by its audience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Audience expectations can significantly impact the success or failure of a television program, as unmet expectations may lead to viewer dissatisfaction.
2. Producers often use marketing strategies to shape audience expectations before a show's release, using trailers, posters, and promotional materials.
3. Different demographics may have varying expectations based on cultural background, age, and personal experiences, affecting how a program resonates with different audiences.
4. Shows that subvert genre conventions can challenge audience expectations, leading to innovative storytelling but also potential backlash from viewers who prefer traditional narratives.
5. Critics and scholars analyze audience expectations to understand why certain programs achieve cult status while others are quickly forgotten.

Review Questions

• How do genre conventions influence audience expectations for television programs?
  • Genre conventions play a crucial role in shaping audience expectations because they provide familiar frameworks for viewers. When a show adheres to established genre rules, such as the use of humor in sitcoms or suspense in thrillers, audiences come to expect specific elements. For instance, a romantic comedy typically involves a love story with comedic moments, so viewers anticipate these tropes. If the show deviates significantly from these conventions, it can lead to confusion or disappointment among its audience.
• Discuss the role of marketing in shaping audience expectations prior to the airing of a television program.
  • Marketing is vital in establishing audience expectations as it sets the tone for what viewers can anticipate from a television program. Through trailers, social media campaigns, and promotional events, marketers highlight key elements that align with the target audience's preferences. For example, a series marketed as a thrilling mystery will focus on suspenseful scenes to create anticipation. This preemptive framing can strongly influence whether potential viewers feel inclined to watch the show based on their preconceived notions of its content.
• Evaluate the effects of unmet audience expectations on the reception of a television series and its long-term success.
  • Unmet audience expectations can have significant effects on how a television series is received both initially and in the long run. If viewers feel that a show does not deliver what was promised—whether due to poor writing, unexpected plot twists, or lack of adherence to genre conventions—they may react negatively by abandoning the series or providing poor reviews. Over time, this dissatisfaction can tarnish the show's reputation and hinder its ability to attract new viewers. Conversely, shows that exceed or creatively manipulate expectations may gain a loyal fan base and achieve critical acclaim.

Related terms

Genre conventions: Standardized elements or themes that are commonly associated with specific genres, which help to shape audience expectations about the content and style of a television program.

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other, which can shape audience expectations based on familiarity with other works.

Cultural context: The social, historical, and cultural background in which a television program is produced and consumed, influencing audience expectations and interpretations.