Quiz shows and Turkish television: a study of visual impact and social structure

Abstract

The aim of the study is to define the specific visual and social environment which builds up the popularity of television quiz shows in Turkey. The visual structures of the quiz shows, the symbols within them and the methods of articulation in the quiz shows are analyzed within the context of this thesis. In the study, the television quiz shows are studied after giving a brief summary of the socio-economic and cultural conditions of Turkey in the years that quiz shows emerged and became popular. The quiz shows’ visual and ideological structures will be examined in terms of their narrative structures, knowledge types, symbols, visual layouts - such as stage design, quiz master and assistants, presentation of the commodities, and audience. These main concepts are also examined with the help of the visual materials collected from the most popular quiz shows in Turkey.