Comparison of existing TV Channel Websites

For my Advanced Portfolio I have to design a website for a new TV Channel. I am going to look at different already existing TV websites to give me idea, I will not copy their ideas,I will only use them as a template. The two commercial websites I will look at are:

ITV

Channel 4

The second website I will look at is the Channel 4 Website. Below is screenshots of the Channel 4 Website.

Connotation

The background throughout is Black. At the top of the Channel 4 Homepage, is the links to the different channels which are also under Channel 4, they are "Film, More4, E4 Music and C4 Blogs". In the right hand corner at the very top is a search box which allows viewers to search the website for their favourite TV Programmes. Underneath is a giant picture of a Vampire with text saying " WELCOME TO CHANNEL 4 QUENCH YOUR THIRST... FRESH NEW TRUE BLOOD NOW ON 4oD" and "TV LISTINGS PROGRAMMES WATCH 4oD EXPLORE". There is also a big stamp of the Channel 4 logo, so people know they are on the Channel 4 website. Underneath the big picture of the Vampire is a TV Schedule which informs viewers when there favourite programmes are on. Below the TV Schedule is two boxes both in Grey. The box on the left hand side gives information on a programme called " The Bigamist Bride: My Five Husbands" this is advertising the show which will be on Channel 4, and is letting viewers know what the show is about. The box on the right hand side is the "EXPLORE" box which offers links to webpages based on Food, Homes, Film, 4Car, News and See All. At the bottom of the Channel 4 webpage is more links to more webpages.

Denotation

The image of the Vampire lets the viewers know that this image is representing True Blood, and that it is on 4oD to watch and catch up on. It denotates that this is the show which should be watched, and which is jam packed with entertainment. The quotation "QUENCH YOUR THIRST" denotates that people should give in to their obsession with True Blood.The images of the other programmes on Channel 4 denotate that these are other programmes which are popular and should be watched by people. The images are not as large so gives the message that these programmes may not be as popular.The bigger fonts on the page denotate that this is th emost important information that needs to be known especially about 4oD and True Blood.

Conclusion

I prefer this website to the ITV website. It does not cram too much information in like the ITV website,and gets straight to the point, it does not go on like the ITV website about information which is not as important. The Channel 4 used more images to get across their messages, and it works. The largest image of the vampire gets across the message that this programme has to be watched. Unlike the ITV website which does not advertise their programmes well at all, and just use tiny images which can be hardly seen. Although there is only one background which is Black it made to look interesting by the images, the Black background lets the other components of the website stand out, the ITV website made nothing stand out. This has given me the idea that maybe I don't necessarily have to use bright colours I can use, the images I take to make the website look interesting. I will use the Channel 4 website as a template.