Morley 1
Alexander Morley
Dr Eleni Liarou
Television: History and Future
17th October 2019
Analyse a short extract from a programme we have studied on this course in relation to the idea
of televisuality (please refer to the lecture slides of the first class).
Over the years, television has become an integral part of our lives and culture. Almost
everyone owns a TV and if not then they are usually at least aware of what one is.
Approximately 98% of homes in Britain own a TV, and research has been conducted which
shows that people spend most of their leisure time watching TV (J. Marshall, A. Werndly, 2002:
8). All information goes through the media, whether digital or not, but in recent times, the
television seems to be one of the most common and popular forms of media to consume such
information. A TV screen can be seen as “[...] a simple piece of glass that provides a transparent
window or mirror on the world.” (J. Ellis, 2006: 12) but it can also be viewed as a device with its
own set of aesthetics that change the viewing experience in specific ways and ultimately change
humanity and culture by the types of programming that are shown in that specific medium.
When we refer to television aesthetics, we are discussing the technical components that
set up a TV screen and how the images and sound can change an audience’s viewing experience
based on aspects that only this medium can present. It’s related to the sensory experience and
how it is perceived by consumers, such is assumed by the original definition of the word
‘aesthetic’. TV shows are made up of specific components that help feed into the desired sensory
experience.
Elements that create televisuality may come from the show or programme your watching
Alexander Morley
Dr Eleni Liarou
Television: History and Future
17th October 2019
Analyse a short extract from a programme we have studied on this course in relation to the idea
of televisuality (please refer to the lecture slides of the first class).
Over the years, television has become an integral part of our lives and culture. Almost
everyone owns a TV and if not then they are usually at least aware of what one is.
Approximately 98% of homes in Britain own a TV, and research has been conducted which
shows that people spend most of their leisure time watching TV (J. Marshall, A. Werndly, 2002:
8). All information goes through the media, whether digital or not, but in recent times, the
television seems to be one of the most common and popular forms of media to consume such
information. A TV screen can be seen as “[...] a simple piece of glass that provides a transparent
window or mirror on the world.” (J. Ellis, 2006: 12) but it can also be viewed as a device with its
own set of aesthetics that change the viewing experience in specific ways and ultimately change
humanity and culture by the types of programming that are shown in that specific medium.
When we refer to television aesthetics, we are discussing the technical components that
set up a TV screen and how the images and sound can change an audience’s viewing experience
based on aspects that only this medium can present. It’s related to the sensory experience and
how it is perceived by consumers, such is assumed by the original definition of the word
‘aesthetic’. TV shows are made up of specific components that help feed into the desired sensory
experience.
Elements that create televisuality may come from the show or programme your watching
