TV Listings Magazine Analysis- TV Choice

The "TV Choice" magazine shows more of a subtle approach towards the soap opera's story lines. Most magazines would show a dazzling spray of vibrant colours and extravagant fonts and pictures. However it only presents two "Soap Shockers" and possibly the only expressive sight on the cover is the advertisement.

The story line that is tackled, is struck strongly by its sweeping statements and dialogue used by the characters e.g. "Get your hands off Alfie" This is breaching the story that is to follow Kat's return "I'm back". The picture, however quite deceiving, shows Roxy (Alfie's current new lover after Kat) placed behind both characters giving her an unimportant statues and sense of vulnerability. Alfie is deviously placed between the two woman, offering the public a "piggy in the middle" situation as he is stuck between the choice of two women which from what we can see, a fiery, youthful, bimbo blonde and a mature, jet black haired "dolly bird". Finally, we see the face of the whole story, Kat Moon, who dresses in black and stares longingly out into the audience in despair but the look of determination shows in her eyes and she wishes to get her husband back from this youthful blonde. At the centre of the page with the biggest font, we can see that this is the main attraction of the front cover, catching eyes of current or potential audience members.

Below the Eastenders plot is a simple yet effective part of the magazine. Firstly it is quickly stated that the story is from Coronation Street as it states in a little yellow box "Corrie" which is the famous abbreviation for the programme, closely followed by "Wedding day drama" again, giving us a quick insight to the plot but not enough that we lose interest. We see two characters standing side by side, dressed in the best wedding clothes, smiling happily at the camera. This is far from a controversial take to a wedding day photo, however it can be thought that this is a major contrast before what could happen next to the newly weds.

This is what is to draw us in as an audience. Subtle and contrasting pictures, big and colourful fonts and  texts. The colours and big images are the first thing the audience or customer will see before taking the time to read anything on the cover. Placement of the characters and choice of words is also important as they can't give away too much too the audience, they hold back some story lines in order to keep the audience interested in the programme. Cleverly, they take the implausible factor of Alfie ever reuniting his love for Kat into the light and allow their audience to flourish of the story and interpret their own outcome of the debatable relationship. Luckily, the audience reactions were humble and supportive, it seems having the two, once separated, star crossed lovers come closer once again made hope for the watching public. Soaps have a strong influence on peoples happiness, positivity, anger or depression by simply creating or abolishing characters and stories which some audience member may get attached to, this gives them a personal connection between the soap and them, and magazines like this give them audience members a deeper insight on the soaps conspiracies.

[Henry]