Institution - Media Research and Planning

E4 Institution

E4 is a British TV channel that broadcasts many different programmes. E4 broadcast programs that are produced in the United Kingdom. In addition, they also provide programs that were produced in The United States. E4 broadcast channels such as Misfits, Skins, Made in Chelsea, The Inbetweeners etc. which are produced in the UK. Furthermore, they also provide programs that are from the U.S for instance, Smallvile, 90210, The Big Bang Theory etc.

E4 was launched on the 18^th of January 2001. However, it was launched as a ‘pay-tv’ companion to Channel 4. Even though E4 had debuted themselves in 2001 it wasn't until the 16^th of December 2004 that they had successfully launched themselves. The subscription channel had become a individual channel by its self. However, they didn't have a large audience that viewed programs that were broadcasted on to their. Not until E4 had became available on the free view platform it attracted a large consumer gathering.

E4 targets the demographic ages of 15 – 35 likewise BBC Three also target this demographic age group. Therefore, both broadcasting channels would be in heavy competition with each other. On the 11^th of October 2010 one of the top series that E4 had broadcasted ‘The Inbetweeners’ had gather a staggering amount of views. The episode had gathered 3.7 million viewers therefore, becoming the most successful episode of a series to be broadcasted on E4. One of the most watched shows on E4 was The Inbetweenrs. Furthermore, The Big Bang Theory, Glee and Friends are other programs that are watched frequently by viewers.

BBC Three

BBC Three is another British TV channel that broadcasts different programmes. BBC Three target a demographic age range of 16 – 34 year olds, similar to E4. BBC three has purpose of focusing on new talent across all platforms and new technologies. 90% of BBC Three’s output is from the United Kingdom and within other European Union countries. Furthermore, it covers all genres ranging from current affairs, drama, animations, comedy etc. BBC Three are unique in one way from other broadcasting channels. They air from the timing of 19:00 -5:00 each night.

At the end of the year in 2001 the BBC had talks about re-branding two of their digital channels which were BBC Knowledge and BBC Choice. BBC Knowledge went on to becoming BBC Four and BBC Choice went on to become BBC Three. BBC Three officially launched with their new brand in February 9^th 2003. Stuart Murphy launched BBC Three as he previously ran BBC choice, UK Play and UKTV which is now discontinued. At the age of 33 he is the youngest channel controller in the UK.

The most popular drama that has aired BBC Three is Gavin & Stacey. It debuted on BBC Three in May 2007. In 2005 of October BBC Three had announced that there would be airing a spin of series from Doctor Who & Torchwood as a post watershed science fiction drama. This was predominantly aimed at a more adult audience. Torchwood launched with a high number of views. It gained 2.4 million viewers in October 2006 when it had launched and became fairly successful.