Codes and Conventions of Newspapers

Here is the link to see the annotated newspaper in a large format:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6X5--xzxXRuRW9kREhXYURDVW8/view?usp=sharing

The front of a Newspaper is very important. This is because, the front page is the first thing that people will see, Some newspapers that look bland and boring people will put down and pick up a different one. Not to forget, when including bold, big and bright font and pictures it will get peoples attention in comparison to including small, dull, black and white writing and images as it looks very bland and old fashioned so people do not want to bother reading something that looks boring.

 

Critical Approaches to Creative Media

Target Audience (The Times)

The Times are a higher demographic newspaper in comparison to the Sun. This means that, their information based inside the newspaper will be aimed towards that target audience. For example, The Times on Facebook currently has 558,074 likes. This means that, 558,074 people are currently following them on Facebook, resulting in these people not having to purchase the newspaper they can simply look on their Facebook page and receive updates. As well as using Twitter, The Times also have a twitter page that will achieve the same as a Facebook Page. This means that the people that follow The Times on Twitter will also receive free updates on what's going on. Although I think if they wish to receive further detailed information on a story they have to purchase the Newspaper its self in order to discover more depth into a story. The Times currently have 869,000 Follows looking at their twitter page and receiving updates. Having your newspaper online and having its own account is a very good thing because this means that they are trying to broaden their target audience. This is because, the main target audience for the Times is people ages 65+ (pensioners) who have time on their hands to venture out and get newspapers, whereas people who still work and lead busy life's are unable to go to the shops on a regular basis and purchase a newspaper, so when putting it on accessible social media sights the younger generation are going to be more appealed to look online and read the News Stories while on their way to college, university, work etc.

On this Graph Below you can see that the age of The Times target audience is 65+, This is because 34.1% of people ages 65+ purchase and read the paper copy of The Sun. Whereas, 7.4% of 25-34 year old actually purchase The Times. This could be for a number of reasons. Firstly, the newspapers content could simply not appeal to people in that age range as they may find it rather dull and un-interesting. Secondly, people of that age may decide that going out and buying a newspaper is a lot of hassle and they could be the majority that look online at short, summed up, brief new stories on websites such as Facebook and Twitter.

From this social Demographic scale you can clearly see that the Demographics that Read the Newspaper the Times are AB. This might be because, the times is a very detailed and intellectual newspaper that may not appeal to the working class or below. Not to forget, the Times is a lot less appealing in comparison to The Sun. This is due to the Times including less imagery making it look a lot more bland. As well as, having some stories cover a pull double page spread whereas the Sun may only include one A4 Page. This does not mean that the people in the demographics of C1 and lower are un-educated, It simply means that the people do not like to sit and read in full depth about a story and they are simply pleased with one that is summed up and looks a lot more appealing.

 

Target Audience (The Sun)

 

The Sun are a lower demographic Newspaper but have a much wider Target Audience in comparison to The Times. This Newspaper is also on both Facebook and Twitter but has a lot more followers on each social media sight in comparison to The Times. On Facebook the Sun has 2,449,178 likes. This means that well over double of the people are viewing Facebook online in comparison to viewing The Times online. As well as, 1,200,000 People Following the Sun on Twitter. This results in the Target Audience for the Sun being increased dramatically in comparison to the Target Audience for the Times. This is due to the sun also having a large amount of followers on both Twitter and Facebook. This also leads me to believe without looking at any further information that the target audience of younger people will be higher on this newspaper.

When looking at the Graph below you can see that Similarly to the Times the target age audience of the Sun would still be 65+, Although on this newspaper more of the younger people are also looking at the Sun, There is 10.2% of 15-24 year olds, as well as 13.8% of 25-34 year olds which is greater than the Times in them age ranges. This leads me to believe, that the Sun has a much bigger Target Audience in comparison to the Times. This is most likely because the Sun includes a variety of short, and brief stories on all subjects and things going on in the world that may appeal to a larger Target Audience, whereas the Times is very political some may say.

In the Chart below you can very clearly see that the Social Demographic Target Audience for the Sun would be DE. This is the complete opposite to the Times. This is because, the Times Social Demographic Target Audience is AB. This indicates to me that the Times is confirmed to be more of the upper-class Newspaper, The stories are a lot more detailed, as well as the newspaper its self being a lot more bland in-comparison to the Sun. The Sun includes a lot of gossip information throughout its newspaper whereas the Times in consistent with facts and figures along with its very political approach.

 

Conclusion

To Conclude I think that the Sun and the Times have very similar but also very different Target Audiences. This is because, they share the same Target Audience due to them both people Newspapers. But the Times has a high Social Demographic Audience and the Sun has a higher Internet Target Audience. Not to forget, the Times is a more complex newspaper and includes a lot more detailed stories that go over 2 A4 Pages. Whereas, the Sun includes briefer stories that sometimes go over 1 A4 Side and include a lot of gossip. Along with, the Sun have a lot more picture imagery and different styles, sizes and boldness of text throughout each story whereas the Times is very monotone and simple.