Doctor Who is perhaps one of the most popular science fiction shows that is currently viewed; it attracts a wide audience from young children who want to hide behind the sofa, to adults who enjoy the constant action and suspense The Doctor holds his viewers in.
In the advert above, it is very clear as to the attraction of this TV programme: it is filled with action, and hints at humorous situations. As its a programme that various generations have grown up watching, or hearing about, it would be viewed, not by a single socio-economic class, but spread across the six with various numbers from each. Most would watch it as a temporary escape from reality, whilst others, due to its high popularity, would watch it for the social interaction to be gained from the discussions and theories that would ensue.
The preferred reading of this text would be that the Doctor is the hero of the show, as stated in the trailer itself: "I'm the Doctor. And I save people!" (The Doctor). It is clear that the majority of the audience would take the preferred reading of this text; the Doctor, whilst being an alien, has saved a great number of civilisations and would be viewed as a hero by those that grew up watching this programme. However, it is possible that, due to regeneration and the changing nature of the Doctor, that many would be incapable of relating to the character and would view him in a far more oppositional light than what the producers desire: he may be a man that saves people, that does not necessarily make him a good man.
Example 2 - How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon is a popular animated children's film that was first released in 2010, which has since produced a successful sequel. The target age range for this film is probably between 8 to 12 years, with its most likely consumer being male; a result male main characters within a primarily male society who ride dragons. Due to its target audience being so young, it had a high chance of appealing to adults too; they are the ones who would pay for the film to be seen. Again, the target audience also means that professional people would be least likely to view it, and so the most likely socio-economic classes to watch this film would be B, C1 and C2 - there is, however, a possibility of those within the A and D classes being targeted also.
The text attracts its audience by presenting an ancient society of our world interacting with the fictional world of dragons; to sum up, by the end of this film, the children would want a pet dragon. The audience would view this film for the entertainment value, although it could be a result of social interaction.
The target audience - namely children - would take the preferred reading of this text: that two different societies can harmoniously cohabit a similar region if we look past the surface. Given it is a family film, it is unlikely (but possible) that anyone would take an oppositional stance to the text.
Example 3 - Top Gear
In recent years Top Gear has become one of the most controversial factual programmes, mostly due to the antics of former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond. The target audience is young adults and 'petrol-heads' rather than any specific gender; given its content, the socio-economic classes would be stereotypically C1 to E - though the E class would be students rather than pensioners. Those within the A and B classes may watch it, but it is targeted towards the lower economic classes.
The text attracts the vast majority of its audience through the controversy it creates - a diplomatic incident in Argentina being one such example - alongside the situations the Top Gear boys find themselves in. It's a fun filled show with plenty of bawdy humour and facts regarding the various cars they test. Many would watch this show for the entertainment value and the social interaction likely to evolve from the content, but there are others that watch it purely for the information it provides concerning the latest and best vehicles on the market.
While many would see the preferred reading of three regular people going on adventures and testing the latest cars, there are those who find the controversy they create to be stupid and would therefore take an oppositional reading. These would be those who find the humour and entertainment to be crude and are far from petrol heads.
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