An Analysis Of Reality Shows From The Perspective Of Communication

Reality show, since its debut in Europe in 1999, has won widespread attention from the media circle in the world. It has been affecting fields including culture, media and Internet both in Europe and in China. Meanwhile, it has brought about economic benefits for the television industry and been inspiring among target audience. As a result, it is necessary to conduct a study on reality shows.Drawing from such communication approaches as uses and gratifications, 5W(Who says What in Which Channel to Whom with What effect) theory, one-sided communication to interactive communication, privacy-prying, onstage presentation of backstage behaviors and audience-oriented marketing, this thesis is to figure out communication features of and existing problems in reality shows based on cases with reference to its characteristics and structure. Moreover, it will probe into reasons behind and move one step further to propose possible solutions to problems identified.This thesis is consisted of four chapters. Chapter One is an analysis of history, status quo, classification and features of reality shows. Chapter Two discusses communication process of reality shows based on communication theories. In this chapter, communication content, subject, audience and effects of reality shows will be analyzed while reality shows, as a form of TV program, will be discussed together with Internet thinking based on frontier theories such as communication elements, patterns and concepts. Part Three is about problems in existing realties shows, including vulgarity, falseness, a lack of humanistic concern, homogeneity, over-entertainment and absence of innovation. Chapter Four discusses solutions for such problems as well as future development of reality shows. In this chapter, feasible yet effective solutions are worked out such as stronger regulation, content innovation, talent cultivation and industrialized operation.