Lifestyle programming mini case study ~ “Gok’s Style Secrets”

“Gok’s style secrets” is a lifestyle programme which was newly aired in 2013, and mixes both fashion with dating. It has become a successful British lifestyle programme, named purely because it centres around how simple styling secrets can change your luck on the dating scene. It is presented by well recognised TV star Gok Wan, and it very much follows a standard genre template, most probably established by Gok Wan’s earlier shows like “Gok’s Fashion Fix”, and other styling shows such as those presented by Trinny and Susanna. We receive from the show very much what we expect to. It does a very good job in staying current, as it doesn’t feature strongly (if at all) around the nuclear family and the conventional family representation. In fact, it embraces modern society and the problems it faces, helping single woman to over-come divorce and the struggles of single life etc.

“Gok’s Style Secrets” follows on from a string of alike programmes as I previously mentioned, successfully produced and commissioned, and aired on Channel 4. From “Gok’s Fashion Fix” to “One Born Every Minute” and “Trinny and Susanna”, Channel 4’s list of lifestyle programmes is endless, and it has become an established and safe genre which is liked by many. They are often based around simple and relatable ideas or topics (like fashion and romance as “Gok’s Style Secrets” is, which can be easily developed. Audiences watch them to relate to them (personal identification according to the uses and gratifications theory), and they are light hearted and easy to watch. Both are reasons why they have taken off so easily.

“Gok’s Style Secrets” was first commissioned by Channel 4 in 2013, and started its first ever series early on in the year. It was aired post watershed at 9pm every Wednesday night during its first series.

The target audience for Gok’s Style Secrets is perhaps E to C1 according to the classification of employment, as it appeals to students just as much as it does middle class earners. Also, the mainstream and middle/working classes represented in the programme back this point up. The audience can relate to the people in the programme. The importance of fashion in the programme suggests a primarily female audience, but there is likely to be a significant secondary male audience (the partners of the females watching it). This is the case with many media products. Middle class, younger generation, educated group who are interested in fashion and appearances are likely to be watching the show. The show appears post watershed to appeal to its target audience.

Recognition of romantic/self esteem difficulties was what drew audiences to this show, with them recognising themselves within the discourse. Of course, similarities with other life style programmes attracted audiences too. Audiences enjoy watching the sensitivity and friendship Gok Wan offers towards his “clients”, and enjoy witnessing the positive change which occurs between the start and end of the programme.

“Gok’s Style Secrets” is not available on DVD format, but can be watched on online services such as 4OD. This suggests that the institutions behind the programme are connected to the new digital age, and are keen to please their active audiences. They are current, and pushing the show over more than one media platform in order to attract more people. “Gok’s Style Secrets” is a easy to watch life style programme, and over all attracts audiences due to the fact that it is easily relatable.