Research on Tv Listings Guides

One of my ancillary texts is going to be the front of a magazine cover for a tv listings guide.  In preparation for this I researched some top tv listing guides.  I found out what was the top rated tv listings guides by using the internet.  The web listed these guides: Total Tv Guide, Tv Times, Tv Easy and Inside Soap.  In further development i looked at the covers and annotated on how they keep to the same conventions as eachother.  I also looked at the aspects of them that can be similiar and differ as well.

Out of all the magazine covers i have looked at i found this one to be the most appealing.  I think this was the most appealing to me as it has a sufficient amount of information and pictures without crowding the cover.  The headline was also eyecatching as it uses a different font in the middle of the title to put emphasis on what the issue will include.  To not the other things included on this cover is:

• The title of the magazine is very bold and simplified, and the colours make it stand off the page.
• Other programmes are promoted at the front, top and left hand side
• "NEW" is clearly labelled at the front of every relevant coverline. This attracts the viewers as they want to find more information on this new release.
• has bright colours and a few colours that can be define as cool dark colours this is because they are calming but present a sense of stability.
• colour photo fills most of the page
• main feature being Rhona, Marlon & Paddy there aligned like a family potrait which can apply to there relationship
• Same font styles except the headline

I found this magazine cover to be very interesting. The headline was the focal point of this cover, the colours yellow and black are typically seen on a danger sign for people not to cross. So this backs up the effect of the headlines story. I also found the layout to be arranged in an effective order that works well.  Here are some other things i noticed:

• mainly consists of warm colours with the exception of green representing a field for the world cup final.
• Bold headline made to stick out by the black outline around the text, eyecatching.
• The other programmes are promoted at the side aligned in two columns.
• Website address - access more online
• Price made to be shocking as its stated as "only" 49p
• dominant picture has a glow around it
• The shapes used to border the images, not just square but circular as well.
• barcode at the bottom of the page

The inside soap magazine cover was also another one that appealed to me.  I found the composition of the magazine was appropriate.  The titles and information are the compact into the cover to show there is alot going on in this weeks tv guide.  What also should be noted is:

• Magazines title across the top of the page just below a coverline
• Boasts about it being the "first for BIG soap news"
• Use of warm colours
• Same fonts
• Uses quotes from the soap to draw in the reader.

I found total tv guide likes to lure the reader in.  For instance it emphasises about the price its being sold at as it is repected twice like you have to be told again as its such a good value.  Its also created an image at the bottom of the page like the cover is being turned over with it listing other important contents in the mag.  I think this lure is effective as it visually makes you want to turn the page. What also is shown on the magazine cover is:

• mixture of cool and warm colours
• blue background
• Price - bold, first thing you notice
• Other programmes running down the side of the magazine cover
• Magazine title across the top of the cover, its made to be very clear and simple
• advertises that it is best for freeview users
• barcode at the bottom of the page