Audiences and uses and gratification theory

The uses and gratification theory assumes audiences actively seek out media to satisfy individual needs. The name of the theorists were Blumler and Katz. 

Personal identity: finding reinforcement for personal values, models of behaviour, identifying with others, gaining insight into ones self (reflection).

Information: finding out about relevant events in the world, seeking advice on practical matters or opinion and decisions choices, satisfying curiosity and general interest, learning and self- education, a sense of security through knowledge. 

Entertainment: escapism, relaxing, filling time, emotional release, sexual gratification. 

Social interaction: gaining insight into circumstances of others; social empathy, identifying with others, finding a basis for conversation and social interaction, having a substitute for real life companionship, helping to carry out social roles, enabling one to connect with family, friends and society. 

Sky sports app: according to the use and gratification theory the sky sports app would be used to provide one with information which can often also entertain them. 

Facebook: the use and gratification theory would suggest that facebook is used as all of the above, posts made by various users can be used to inform and entertain people. Additionally, many people can interact using the messenger part of the app and gain personal identity through different users posts and opinions shared through these posts. 

Family guy: the use and gratification theory would be focused on entertainment factor here, family guy is a TV show which is produced to help individuals escape the realities of their lives and through this they are entertained and could possibly also gain personal identity. Social interaction can also be used as people often discuss the show afterwards. 

Call of duty: according to the theory, call of duty is used for social interaction and entertainment. Users can interact with one another and escape reality by playing the game. 

Podcast: according to the uses and gratification theory this podcast informed and entertained me today, the topics discussed were interesting to me and therefore allowed me to escape reality for a period of time. Additionally, certain topics discussed helped me to further my knowledge. 

Snapchat: the uses and gratification theory suggests that this app is primarily used for social interaction, it allows users to converse about their daily experiences and stay connected with friends all around the world in an instant. Furthermore, particular features of the app are focused on entertaining the users and therefore allow them to relax and be amused. 

Weather app: A more practical use of the media, helps to inform the public about current weather. This can help them to plan out their day, for instance what they decide to wear or how they decide to travel. 

Types of target audiences:

Primary, secondary, tertiary.

Demographics:

Gender, Race, Age, Class, Ethnicity, Hobbies