Audience expectations
We should judge the suitability of content for our audiences, including children, in relation to the expectations of the likely audience at a particular time on a particular day, and in relation to the nature of the service as well as the nature of the content. We should ask ourselves the following questions:
- what is the likely composition of the audience, including the likely number and age range of children in the audience taking into account school time, weekends and holidays? We should be aware that school holidays are different in different parts of the UK.
- does the talent, slot, genre or service carry pre-existing expectations which may be challenged by the content?
- is harm or offence likely to be caused by misleading the audience or in the inclusion of difficult or challenging material?
- has any difficult or challenging content been clearly signposted?
- are there any special sensitivities surrounding the slot, for example religious festivals, and anniversaries of major events?
- what is the likely "pull-through audience" i.e. what is the nature of the preceding content and what kind of audience is it likely to attract?