Explore each TV genre

Name: Drashti V. Dave

Assignment sub: Explore each TV genre

Roll no: 6                      Year: 2013-2015

Sem-4                            M.A.part-2

Enrolment no: PG13101007

Paper no: 15- Mass communication and Media studies

Submitted to: Smt.S.B.Gardi Department of English

Maharaja Krisnkumarsinhji Bhavnagar University

Explore each TV genre

Television is one of the major medium of mass-media. There are a large number of people who cannot read or write for them television is useful tool. It gives us the knowledge about all around the world. There are so many main or sub genre of television; it helps to people for gaining knowledge in different ways. First of all let’s understand the meaning of genre.

What is the meaning of genre?

Simple meaning of genre is kind, sort or style. Genre is the term for any category or literature or other forms of art or culture. For example: music, any type of discourse (written or spoken) (audio or visual) generally it is a category of artistic composition as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style form or content. Genre is come from French genre means “kind” or “sort” from Latin genus and from Greek genos. Genre began as an absolute classification system for ancient Greek literature. Genre including or involving other forms as well because it has special characteristics. There are many types some universal genre and other sub genre are also there.

Television genres are different from them; here are some major types of television genre.

TV genre: 1) TV news 2) TV documentaries 3) children’s programs 4) talent hunt show

5) Reality show 6) religious programs these are main genres of TV there are some other sub genres also.

Other sub genre: 1) sports channel 2) cookery show 3) wildlife 4) game 5) music 6) fashion program etc. It was included with main genre and these are known as show.

Now let’s deeply discuss each television genre in detail.

1. Animated Television program:

Description: Work created by recording a series of still images, such as drawings, objects, or posed people; when played back, the static images combine to simulate motion, creating the impression of movement.

For example-
Rocky and Friends/The Bullwinkle Show (1959-63)
The Flintstones (1960-66)

2. Television comedies

Description: Fictional work for television, normally running a half hour in length, which creates humor around the lives of a cast of recurring characters and the "situations" in which they find themselves. Generally, regardless of what happens in any given episode, the characters remain in the same relationships and position as they were before, and much of the humor derives from this predictability. The characters seldom change, and react in an expected manner to whatever challenges them, and generally the overall tenor of the shows is upbeat, expecting a happy, satisfying resolution. Everyday life is often an important element, and as a result, although the setting could be almost anywhere, most situation comedies are set in the home or workplace.
For examples-
I Love Lucy (1951-61)
The Honeymooners (1955-56)
The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68)

3. Detective and mystery television programs

Description: Fictional work in which a detective (sometimes merely an endangered individual forced to "detect" for his own self-protection) attempts to solve a crime, usually a murder or theft. The detective may be an amateur, a private investigator, or a plainclothes member of a police force. Emphasis is placed on the search for clues and rationative power of the detective, rather than the efforts of police or lawbreakers.
For example-
Perry Mason (1957-66)
Columbo (1971-77, 1989-93)
The Rockford Files (1974-80)
Moonlighting (1985-89)
Twin Peaks (1990-91)
X-Files (1994-02) CID etc.

4. Documentary television programs

For documentaries originally released as feature films
Description: Nonfiction work defined by documentary pioneer John Grierson as the creative treatment of actuality. Grounded in some aspect of real life, documentaries may vary from a very deliberate account of facts to an extremely interpretive rendering of a subject, advocating a particular viewpoint on a political, social, or historical issue. In documentaries, actuality should still be dominant over the creative treatment, which, while often staged for the camera, should not go so far as to be dramatized for emotional impact and belong to such genres as historical films or propaganda. Documentaries may include re-enactments, such as showing the movements of armies, or brief scenes of individuals and dialogue, but do not include films that merely use a realistic technique in telling a fictional story. (tv genres)
Television history or works of literary writers which is broadcasted on television it is known as documentary. There are two types of documentary i) short documentary and ii) long documentary. Long documentary also known as film or documentary film.
5) Reality show

Descriptions: reality shows means a television show in which members of the public or celebrities are filmed living their everyday life or undertaking specific challenges. It is one of the most significant program developments of the new century though the genre is in fact nearly as old as the medium itself. Reality show are another popular form of TV but it has many negative sides also and most of the reality shows have been controversial at some extent, there are so many reality shows which broadcasted on television.
For example- Big Boss, Khatroo ke khiladi, Survivor etc.
But now a day’s glamorous shows are more popular than simple or truly realistic on that I found one article from internet while searching; article is about “reality” of the reality shows, title of that article is- Reality or vulgarity: Government should take action on such content. In that article many negative sides of reality shows have been reflected that how people used each other or how money becomes everything or harsh reality of such kind of reality shows.

6) Talent hunt show:

Description: a  talent show is an event where participants perform talents of singing, dancing, acrobatics, acting, drumming, martial arts, playing an instrument, or other activities to showcase skills. Many talent shows are performances rather than contests, but some are actual contests. In the instance of a contest, participants may be motivated to perform for a reward, trophy, or prize of some kind. (Talent show, 2014-2015) In recent times talent hunt shows have become a notable genre of reality television. Talent show have been critical in capuling some artists to stardom and resulting in their successful careers. There are many talent shows broadcasted on television which are many famous for almost decade and they are running so many seasons. Talent hunt show is very important because of that person learn something and it also be necessary for person’s “inner talent” so talent show is one medium through which one can be learn so many things.
For example- Indian idol, India’s got talent, Dance India dance, India’s Raw star, Jalak Dhiklaja, Boogie woogie.
These all shows about performer’s singing, dancing and other abilities through which performer learn how to perform or which type of ‘inner ability’ he/she have.
Main thing is about talent hunt show: that talent shows can be seen as a way to help boost the self-esteem, confidence and assurance of youth. Some communities see talent shows as a way to help prevent delinquency among children, teens and young adults.
Talent hunt show would provide a platform for talented, active or advanced learner or performer.
7) Cookery show:

Description: a cookery show is another famous genre of television that presents food preparation in a kitchen studio set. Typically the show’s host often a celebrity chef prepares one or more dishes over the course of an episode, taking the viewing audience through which viewer know that how to prepare different food or dishes. Cookery show taking the viewing audience through the food's inspiration, preparation, and stages of cooking. Such shows often portray an educational component, with the host teaching the viewers how to prepare different meals, but some (such as Chopped, Iron Chef or Junior Masterchef) are competitions that are primarily for entertainment.
While rarely achieving top ratings, cooking shows have been a popular staple of daytime TV programming since the earliest days of television. They are generally very inexpensive to produce, making them an economically easy way for a TV station to fill a half-hour (or sometimes 60-minute) time slot.
A number of cooking shows have run for many seasons, especially when they are sponsored by local TV stations or by public broadcasting. Many of the more popular cooking shows have had flamboyant hosts whose unique personalities have made them into celebrities. (cooking show)
A number of cooking shows have been run for many year especially when they are sponsored by local TV stations or by public broadcasting.
For example- Flavors of Gujarat, Chopped, Master chef, Ready steady cook, Rasoini Rangat.
Even cookery show is also another form of self learning and self improving show through which person who is interested in cooking especially woman learn how to cook so it is one of the most famous and informative genre.
8) Religious show:

Description:  list of the greatest religious broadcasting shows also includes pictures from the shows when available. Popular religious broadcasting TV shows have been a staple of television for years, so there's often debate about what the most entertaining religious broadcasting show of all time is. It is very popular genre of television. There are so many channels and in that so many religious channels are telecasted on television twenty four hour; main purpose of this type of channels is that one believes in God.
Because of that type of shows people believe in God, and believing in God because it changes your whole outlook on life and religion and can make people so devoted to the religion they change the way they live or their life. There are so many arguments about God’s existence. And many people who don’t believe in God’s presence at that time religious shows or programs can be helpful, it can be work like torch in darkness. Believing in God or not it is different from person to person but one of the problems is that;
Are religious shows or channels can be truly broadcasted? or Is there any reality shown in the religious shows? or Is it right to playing with people’s emotions only for the name of God or any religion?
We may say that most of television religious programs or channels only broadcasted for their benefit. There are dozens of religious channels are telecasted on TV but it will not at all helpful to viewer.
9) Wildlife show:

Description: The wonder or wildlife show is a rare opportunity to see a variety of unique and exotic animals from a very different perspective. Caretakers are interacting with these fascinating animals. We often think of animals in basic survival terms, but in different shows that are shown animals are also part of society. Wildlife shows are not only intimate, informative but it will educate and inspire successive generations about the wonders of wildlife.
For example: Jungle hut eatery, Creature future, Tiger splash, Giant snake show etc..
  Many channels like; Discovery or National Geographic channels are providing wildlife or animal shows, wildlife shows are giving information about unknown animals their life style and other things.
10) Talk show or chat show:
Description: A talk show or chat show (as it is known in the UK) is a television programming or radio programming genre in which one person (or group of people) discusses various topics put forth by a talk show host.^[1]
Usually, guests consist of a group of people who are learned or who have great experience in relation to whatever issue is being discussed on the show for that episode. Other times, a single guest discusses their work or area of expertise with a host or co-hosts. A call-in show takes live phone calls from callers listening at home, in their cars, etc. Sometimes, guests are already seated but are often introduced and enter from backstage. Gay Byrne, Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson,Dick Cavett, Ed Sullivan, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, and Mosunmola Abudu have hosted notable talk shows; in many cases, the shows have made their hosts famous. Talk shows are more popular in other countries than India. There are several major formats of talk shows Breakfast chat, Sunday talk, late night talk shows. (wikipedia contributors "talk show", 2015)
Late night talk shows are especially significant in the United States. In Indian television Coffee with Karan and that type of talk shows are famous or well known. Talk shows had been broadcasted on television since the earliest days of the medium. So it is also informative genre. Because of that general people came to know about celebrities their life style and other things as well.
11) TV news:

Description: news channels are common thing for any uneducated people also because it is very famous form of television. News channels provide complete live coverage of national or international news, business news, breaking news etc. There are different types of news. So news is one of the most famous, popular and informative genre of the television. It instantly gave information about all over the world, without that it also provides information or gossips of bollywood, cricket, football, politics, entertainment, sports, life-style news.
All type of information telecasted on television news channels because of that person gaining some informative thing. There are half a dozen of news channels with different languages which are broadcasted on television 24 hour. And it reaches everywhere so illiterate person can also came to know that what is going on in society. Many Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, English, Sanskrit, Marathi or many other languages’ channels are telecast on TV. Many of them are providing instant news.
For example: NDTV, Live TV, CBS news, News 24, BBC world news, Star sports, CBN 7
These all are famous news channels which telecasted daily and provide minor information to the viewer. Sports news is sub genre of television news in that all type of sports activity shown. If it is about cricket, hockey, football, tennis, golf, chess, wholly ball, kho-kho, kabbadi or even match results and announcements of different games. Those who are interested in sports with the help of sports news they gain interests and knowledge about their area of interests. TV news is large form of television platform in that many genres can be included.
Conclusion: genre means kind or type in any literary form there are genre, Steve Neale stresses that “genre are not systems, they are processes of systematization”
Furthermore David Buckingham argues that “genre is not simply “given” by the culture; rather is  in a constant process of negotiation and change”.

A genre defines a moral and social world, indeed a genre in any medium can be seen as embodying certain values and ideological assumptions so television genres are useful tool to gaining information in a different ways or directions.