Fourth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

Reality has been a substantial genre for contemporary TV. It is easily consumed, and is highly preferred by producers due to lower costs. What differs reality from other genres is defined as the so-called naturalness of its characters and spontaneity of events. On the other hand, producers and participants state that a complex production process take place that blurs the boundaries between genuineness and fiction, and a hybrid form of reality is executed through reality shows. Reality TV is largely based on the global flow of formats and shaped by globalization and standardization processes. Yet different media cultures affect the nature of these programs and differences both in form and content can be observed in different contexts. This study explores the reality TV culture in Turkey, and reveals the preeminent sociocultural variables that contribute to reality construction and representation. It focuses on the structural characteristics of media sector such as financial concerns, privatization, politically imposed restrictions to media discourse, audience preferences; and demonstrates how they affect the nature of reality TV in Turkey. Accordingly, to set a conceptual frame of reality programming, overall reality shows that aired since the emergence of the first private channel are categorized and thematically analyzed. To explore how this particular genre is executed and to explore the social construction process of the “real”, semi-structured in depth interviews are conducted with media professionals and with program participants.