Modification of First Channel Test Shows - "New Day" and "Afternoon", Determining Future Directions of Their Development, 2019

1 Aug 2019

The Institute of Social Studies and Analysis, commissioned by the First channel(Georgian Public Broadcaster), conducted sociological research to study morning and afternoon test shows of the First channel ("New Day" and "Afternoon") from various angles. The purpose of the study was to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the programs, which in turn would allow us to assess their impact/influence on the viewer.

The study was conducted using a qualitative research method, namely a focus group; However, the qualitative research had a quantitative component as well. In particular, we used a diary method to assess the programs, using formal scales.

Depending on the purpose of the study, the target groups were:

Residents of Tbilisi, who watch morning and afternoon programs of the First Channel, Rustavi 2 and Imedi with some frequency:

• First Channel: "New Day", "Afternoon"
• Rustavi 2: "Good Morning, Georgia", "Another Afternoon"

• Imedi: “Imedi's Morning”, “Day Show”

In the first phase of the study, we used the diary method (quantitative component of the qualitative research), based on a pre-developed questionnaire, the focus group participants rated morning and afternoon tv shows of First Channel, Rustavi2 and Imedi on a 5-point scale (where 1 was the minimum, 3 neutral, and 5 the maximum). The programs were evaluated according to 18 criteria.

Focus groups were conducted in the second phase of the study. Each focus group had 10 participants. Respondents were selected based on their gender, age, and show watching rate. Six focus groups were conducted within the study. The focus groups lasted from about an hour and a half to three hours.