1. MS4 Text, Industry and Audience

2.  how Black Mirror
Learning objectives: to explore
meets Channel 4’s remit requirements
Learning outcomes: to have made the link between
Broadcasting legislation and textual evidence from the
show
EBI: to apply knowledge of Channel 4’s cultural and
political history

3. What do you imagine the broadcasting
remit is for British TV channels?


4. 2003 Communications Act

 An Act of Parliament giving full power over
telecommunications to Ofcom
 Helps to maintain both quality and impartiality
 Applicable to all TV broadcasters including Channel 4

5. 
The Channel's primary purpose is the fulfillment of its public service remit, which was
most recently defined in the 2003 Communications Act. This states that "the public
service remit for Channel 4 is the provision of a broad range of high quality and diverse
programming which, in particular:
(a) demonstrates innovation, experiment and creativity in the form and content of
programmes;
(b) appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society;
(c) makes a significant contribution to meeting the need for the licensed public service
channels to include programmes of an educational nature and other programmes of
educative value; and
(d) exhibits a distinctive character."
•Using textual evidence from Black Mirror, suggest how the show fits into the Channel
4 remit, in particular, the criteria defined in the 2003 Communications Act.

6. 
• Why do you think Black Mirror was suited to a slot
on Channel 4, rather than E4? Consider elements of
representation and genre as well as using the
information detailed above.

7. Watch the opening sequence to Black
Mirror Episode Two ‘15 Million Merits’

Identify common elements in this episode
compared to
Episode One : The National Anthem
Consider:
•Themes
•Visual style
•Social commentary
•Characterisation and narrative

8. Plenary
What makes this show typical of Channel 4 programming?