Generic research: The role of Channel 4

This is a screenshot of the TV programmes available on catch up on Channel 4. There is a very wide target audience, with a large range of programmes spanning over different interest. The news, which can interest everyone but stereotypically it is more popular with the older generation; Gogglebox, a funny family programme suitable for all ages, and programmes such as One Born Every Minute, usually aimed at adults but can interest a younger generation too. This is the population I think would be suitable for viewing my documentary, as my topic concerns people of all ages, especially teenagers now and older people who were teenagers 40 years ago. However, this topic can be interesting to people outside of that age bracket. The programme topics on Channel 4 are mostly light-hearted, such as the Great British Bake Off, and are focused on popular topics, such as gardening and dating. My topic of technology would fit in well as it is used by most people in this modern age. Channel 4's eclectic mix of programmes is most likely partially due to it's obligation to source programmes externally. Channel 4 also have a reputation for historical programmes and real life documentaries, which is perfect for my documentary which looks at the impact and evolution of technology.
I found a page of Channel 4's own website about commissioning, with a tab on each type of programme. In the documentary tab there is what they aim to achieve in each documentary; qualities they prefer to exhibit.  I also aim to fit these qualities into my documentary so that my documentary would be a typical programme for this channel to broadcast. Authenticity is a trait I aim to achieve by not strictly scripting the interviewees and the presenter. However,  Frederick Wiseman once said "if you’re talking about editing, every aspect of making a movie involves choice. So you can say that choice is manipulative, or you can say it’s a choice. I make hundreds of thousands of them. Whether it’s delusional or not, I don’t know, but I like to think my films are fair.". Manipulation inevitably will be a part of creating a narrative, so a degree of authenticity will be used but my narrative may need manipulation for it to make sense.




















Channel 4 also listed the type of documentary the broadcast, and what time are allotted for these.
My documentary would most likely be broadcasted at 8 or 9pm, at time where most audiences can watch. It states that this type of documentary would "seek to offer audiences reliable narrative beats in a world that is engaging and relatable for a broad audience". This would be perfect for my documentary as the topic can relate to a wide age bracket.