Mainstream and niche audiences

Mainstream
Example- X-Factor

X Factor is shown on ITV1 which is a big TV channel, it is shown at 8:00pm which means that the programme can appeal and be shown to a mass target audience. People watch the programme for entertainment and escapism, they use it for filling time and relaxing and gain gratification out of this. Watching somebody do badly and embarrassing themselves makes people gain gratification through emotional release through laughter and entertainment.
The X-Factor also gets the audience involved through the voting system. The programme is shown on a popular channel which encourages people to phone in and vote, this allows the audience to interact with the programme and this can lead to social integration with friends and family etc. as well as allowing the channel to make money.  If somebody watches the programme or votes for their favourite contestant then this allows them to talk about it and interact socially with other people, this gives them a topic of discussion with their friends which they can gain gratification from. The audience can also identify with the people in the programme, this links with social integration and it allows the audience to relate to the contestants.

Niche
Breaking bad

Breaking bad appeals to a more niche audience than the X-Factor. It is shown on Netflix which requires a subscription to watch, this means that you have to pay if you want to watch the latest programmes which creates a more niche audience. The audience for this programme is older people as the programme contains drugs,violence and swearing, as a result of this it is shown quite late in America. The audience can identify and relate to characters in the programme, they can build a relationship with them and this could help them have a subsitute for real-life companionship which they can gain gratification from. The programme can also lead to social integration between people. If people watch an episode and want to discuss it then this can give a topic for people to talk about and connect with their friends and families.