AN ASSESSMENT OF TELEVISION PROGRAMME PREFERENCES BY YOUTHS OF IBESIKPO ASUTAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
CHAPTER ONE
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
1.1 Introduction
The importance of television as a medium of mass communication is becoming more appreciated in all part of the world. In the developed world, television has become the most ubiquitous of mass media in both availability and audience exposure to the media (Sachsman, Rubin and Sachsman, 2001:2006)
In Nigeria, there are indications that television outranks Newspaper as a channel of information and entertainment for both urban and rural dwellers (Okunna, 2001)
Were television derives it financial support from commercial advertisements and programmes sponsoring, it must of necessity, strive to reach the greatest number possible of the population be able to attract sponsors and advertisers this can only be done through interesting and popular programmes.
Investors in stations and programmes like and demand practical information on ways to prepare programmes materials to achieve desires effects on the extent to which these materials once broadcast actually reach the desired audiences, and on the extent to which audiences once reached respond with desired behaviour.
However, is much of generalization about viewers that patronize television stations and their programmes which is not based on any data. There is need therefore, to design way by which television stations and the programmes they offer to the viewers can be judged and possibly imported.
Today, people expect better programmes that will interest, but express dissatisfaction over the poor quality and level of production in some Nigeria television programmes.
A diligent survey around Ibesikpo Asutan would reveal a growing trend in television programmes viewing habit and patter among the youths of area. A closer look yet would indicate that in the face of mounting improvement in television programme schedule these youths rather identify with and prefer particular programmes broadcast by certain television stations to others.
Given the present level of social enlightenment which has improved considerably in recent times in relation to the past, it will not be too alarming to learn about one fifth of every two hundred youths actually have or can afford or still, has access to a television set.
The aims of television however include to entertain, inform and educate researchers have revealed that of all the medium of mass communication, broadcasting is most effective form for transmitting messages from whatever source on various social changes programmes.
The advantages of television therefore over other media have transcends the boundaries of illiteracy; it breaks distances as a vast number of persons with television sets can receive a massage simultaneously. It also provides a wider forum for its audience. Television programmes among a class of people particular the youths, needs attention. Television stations will find this venture indispensable. Blakely (2006) observes in order to actually acknowledge the philosophical base of broadcast programming the key guidelines are to study the regulations.
Involved in the operations government interest and the stream lining of programming for public interest.
Aspinal (2006) states that;
The programme structure of a station and the way it is built up set the station’s character or image. The amount of time it gives to news and education broadcasting are all aspects of the programme structure of a television station.
The objective of any television station is not only to communicate message to the target audience but also to receive favourable response the realization of this objective will depend primarily on the performance of the communication media their type of programmes and view patronage level.
This study intends to find out the television programmes preference among youths in Ibesikpo Asutan.
1.2 Statement of the problem
A close observation will reveal that the youths of Ibesikpo pay much attention to the two stations on a Sunday (AKBC and NTA 10) in this part of the federation.
Today, people expect better programmes that will hold their interest while expressing dissatisfaction over the poor quality and level of programmes of some television stations available to them. Consequently, one finds a situation where a person may tune to other stations. It is however not clear with pattern of preference for television programmes and station exist it is not known also what category of the youth respond in what manner to which programme types.
The following questions therefore come to mind:
What programme do youths in Ibesikpo prefer?
What determines their preference?
Which station programmes do they prefer in Ibesikpo
1.3 Objectives of study
This study set out to:
- determine the programmes that attract the youths in Ibesikpo
- find out which station programmes the youths in Ibesikpo prefer.
- find out the television viewing patterns of the youths in Ibesikpo
- determine what effect academic level, have in shaping the youths preference for television programmes.
- find out what could be done to improve television viewership.
1.4 Research Questions
- What type of programmes do youths in Ibesikpo prefer?
- Which stations programmes for the youths in Ibesikpo prefer?
- What is the television viewing frequency of youths in Ibesikpo
- Does academic level gender (sex) occupation/vocation and age influence or affect the youth’s preference for television programmes?
- What could be done to improve television viewership amongst the youths?
1.5 Justification of the study
This study is justified because television can help in moulding our youths positively and make them better citizens and future leaders of our country?
Secondly, the research will help programme producers and directors in producing and scheduling good quality programmes that television industry in Nigeria benefit positively from.
Thirdly, it also aims at revealing a tendency will encourage improved network of programmes by various of received needs through audience preference.
Fourthly, the researcher would know the communication approach to television viewership within and amongst youth in Nigeria.
The study will also enable the researcher to use behavioural patterns to judge the degree of attention given to television programmes amongst youths of Ibesikpo the study will provide the researcher with the knowledge of intellectual values when making recommendations for message reception.
