A influência dos reality shows nas audiências do canal

: o caso do programa “Esta manhã” da TVI

Abstract

Since the early 2000s, reality shows have played a crucial role in TVI's programming, establishing themselves as a key element in the channel's schedule. These programs not only captured massive audiences but also served as a foundation for the development of a variety of content. In this study, we aim to understand how the consistent presence of reality shows in the programming grid can influence the audience of other programs on the channel, particularly those with different formats and target audiences. At the center of our analysis is the program "Esta Manhã", the infotainment program that was broadcast from February 1, 2021, to January 30, 2024, and occupied the time slot from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. from Monday to Friday. Through this study, we seek to comprehend the possible audience fluctuations in the morning show when reality shows are present or absent from the schedule. The guiding question for this investigation is "Do TVI's reality shows influence the audience of the program 'Esta Manhã'?". We opted for a mixed methodology: quantitatively, we conducted an audience analysis of the Esta Manhã program, and qualitatively, we conducted interviews with the executive producer and the two content producers of the program. The results revealed complexity in the interactions between the two elements, highlighting the multifaceted nature of television behavior. The underlying logic suggests that there are benefits, but the relationship between reality shows and the success of the morning program is neither direct nor linear. Understanding the interconnection between them goes beyond the analysis of audience numbers, requiring a deeper understanding of audience trends and preferences. Ultimately, this study underscores the ongoing need for research at the intersection of reality shows and other television formats.

Date of Award	24 Jul 2024
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Catarina Duff Burnay (Supervisor)