Website Analysis

Channel 5

The Channel 5 website tries to pack as much information onto the page as possible. The user is greeted with what is currently on the channel, news about the channel, access to its on demand service, a Twitter feed, all without scrolling. As impressive as the information is, it can get a little cluttered and feel claustrophobic. The user isn't really introduced to anything striking, and with so much to look at, the user can get lost quickly.

In terms of visual appeal, the dark colour scheme used is easy on the eyes, and fonts are used consistently where needed and is embellished to draw the eye and offer clear distinctions between sections. With these deep tones, you get the idea that Channel 5 is centred on drama. No bright or vibrant colours are used which would usually be indicative of a comedic tone. Neither are any rich informative tones like blue or green used, which would give the feeling of documentary focused TV. Instead, dark blacks and greys dominate the page, giving a serious vibe to the site.

The use of the large slider that cycle through the channel’s TV shows is a good idea, giving the user a look at the channel’s offering and giving the channel a chance to offer up dramatic visuals, like the explosive look at Home and Away in the picture analysis.

ITV

ITV is a starkly different website to the Channel 5 site.

Where Channel 5 prominently features as much information as possible, the ITV site would be regarded as minimalistic. Practically no information is immediately given to the user about the channel. No schedule, no news, no social media. What does feature in a rather impactful way is the images above the navigation. It is impossible not to see them, which is exactly what they are there to do.

The visuals of the website are much lighter than the Channel 5 site. Although text is not featured prominently, it is used cleanly and consistently. The lighter look also implies a slightly less dramatic TV roster. The images used too also coincide with this idea. Non action based shots like food don’t exactly invoke excitement in the user, but that is not the speed that ITV are going for. Light hearted tones, simple images and clean text all create a sense of nondramatic based television.

Codes and Conventions of TV Websites

There are a lot of conventions that I will be looking to include in the production of my own work. The first is the use of images to liven up the page. Both these and many other TV channel websites use a lot of images to give vibrancy to the page. Given the TV is a very interesting and visual medium, it is important to include these wherever possible.

The next convention I plan on using is video. Given that TV is an animated medium, it would be unwise to have a completely static webpage. Having a teaser trailer is important to give the user some kind of audio or motion feedback, especially since the website is all about the TV shows.

There are some more general conventions of websites that I will have to adhere to also. Using suitable font sizes and variation of font to suit context is important. Large bold titles, compared to smaller thinner bodies of text. Navigation that is clear and easy to use, rather than hidden and complex. Use of hyperlinks to navigate the pages on the site as well will be crucial.