As Live Unit: Idea Development

Whilst skiing in France last month we would come back the afternoons and be stuck with BBC1 and 2 for the rest of the day. From this I found that television has changed a lot on the Beeb than when I was growing up, now I don't often find much of the daytime programming appealing, especially for the young audience after school. I also noticed a couple of daytime quiz shows such as 'Pointless', 'Weakest Link', 'Perfection' and 'Eggheads'. If I have to watch a quiz show, I'm more of a Deal or No Deal girl; there's more tension and involvement for the viewer, the audience is positioned in the background most of the time, they are part of the show, and I find the idea simple but more clever than just answering questions.

Audience is important when considering what kind of live show to come up with and what appeal it will have; scheduling is just as important to target that audience. Recently I had a look through the TV schedules lately and circled all things live. I did find that there wasn't many that would appeal to a young audience. BBC1 during the day I would say appeals to the 50+ retired audience: 'Cash in the Attic', 'Bargain Hunt'. ITV1 appeals to the stay-at-home mum audience with magazine talk-show programming: 'Lorraine', 'Loose Women'. Whilst Ch4 offers an alternative; 'Countdown'. 

I think the gap in the schedules for children's programme has narrowed, especially for the 12-16 year olds. So perhaps a new magazine-based topical show for young girls and possibly boys. It could have a variety of features, from fashion, beauty, hair trends, talented young people, embarrassing stories, peer pressure.

Another format that has disappeared is the music show. Music is something I'm involved closely with. The figures fell for last years 'X Factor'; competition can be a good way to build tension and encourage participation but it's not always needed for entertainment. For a music show, I would aim to target the young adult audience in the late evening slot, or early morning, with a possible secondary adult audience as music is able to reach all kinds of audiences. The BBC runs an Introducing programme for unsigned acts. I would audition and cast 3 acts to perform. The VT's would introduce the acts in relevant settings with interviews and actuality. In the backstage videos, there could be acoustic sets or questions from the audience asked. The programmed would encourage talented up and coming unsigned acts and original song-writing, not necessarily locally based. It could even be compared to a Comedy Roadshow but for music, with a relevant host, possibly a singer. Live music is seen mainly and only in talk-shows such as The Graham Norton Show and The Jonathan Ross Show. If the programme were to become a competition, the studio audience can vote with coloured cards held up or by other methods. The prize we could offer the winning act is a music video and a record of their song.