Reality Show in Modern System of Mass Communication (Based on Ukrainian Reality Shows)

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to understand the nature of the reality show phenomenon in the system of mass communication through analysis of Ukrainian media market of reality shows. For this purpose we have used a broad methodological base: a descriptive method for identifying the features of reality show and journalism, a bibliographic method for processing scientific sources, an inductive method to determine the functioning of reality show, the method of comparative analysis to understand relationship between journalism and reality show, historic-typological method to classify reality shows, methods of generalization and structuring to develop a modern structure of mass communication. The main results of the research are the following: we found that reality show is a product of journalistic activity; the concept of “reality show” and “reality television” is clearly determined. Reality show is a format of a television product in which the actions and emotions of true people in real-life or in specially modelled situations are observed, characterized by accomplishment of unusual actions and constant commentary on everything that happens to them. This category includes competitions, dating, makeover, etc. Reality TV is a type of television program that demonstrates non-played situations in which real people, whether ordinary citizens or politicians and stars of show business, find themselves. The value of our research is that the correlation between reality show, its types and reality TV is clearly established. Reality TV consists of: 1) reality shows; 2) studio/gaming shows (talk show, late night show, game show), 3) broadcasting events (sports, music events, awards ceremony, etc.). Reality TV belongs to the category of entertainment television. In this study the classification of reality shows has been improved, a whole series of functions of the reality show programs has been identified (entertainment, information, recreation, education, social integration and public control), it is proved that reality show has a great potential in the context of mass communication.