The purpose of a trailer

What is a soap opera trailers purpose?


The main purposes of a soap opera trailer is to advertise the soap or a specific episode and to encourage not only regular but different audiences that wouldn't usually watch it to watch the episode they are putting focus on. The trailers feed information to the audience and tell them the times and channel the soap is on and gives a brief update of the current storyline which could spark interest in new audiences. It engages them briefly with the characters and gives audiences a sneak preview of an upcoming special storyline or episode.


What demographic groups would watch soap opera trailers?


Demographic groups B and below would be most likely to watch soap operas and the trailers as the type of characters involved in soaps are usually based on these groups of people that are middle and working class people as well as students. Watching something involving people of a similar class makes it easier to relate to that character.


Why are trailers for soap operas used?


Without a trailer to a soap operas there is no opportunity to introduce new audiences to that specific soap. The trailer needs to provide an interesting current storyline that hooks audiences, making them want to watch that soap. A trailer for a soap opera is purposely very different from a film trailer. It only shows information about a specific storyline and not the whole episode. The episode itself will show other storylines but the trailer focus's on the main plot at that time. Film trailers show actual footage from the film and show the storyline of the whole film but with soap opera trailers they do not always use parts from the episode but can create an atmosphere that prepares audiences for that particular storyline and gives hints as to what may occur.







The trailer for this Eastenders storyline shows that footage from the episode is not always necessary or compulsory in creating an impact on audiences. If anything it engages audiences more as there is a sense of mystery about it that is not always put across when watching actual parts from the episode. By creating a different setting to create the same meaning it gives the storyline an edge but still puts across the message of the storyline and feeds the audiences basic information on what it contains. 

Soap opera history

Soap Opera History on Prezi

Real media texts soap opera episodes

Soap Episodes

Specific knowledge of soaps

Specific Soap - Eastenders

Knowledge of soaps

Soap Spider Diagram



This diagram shows my own basic knowledge of existing soap operas without research. From this its clear to see which soaps I know more about than others but also confirms which types I am more interested in. Soaps like Emmerdale and Coronation Street, which are targeted towards an older audience, i found i knew the least about. On the other hand, ones like Hollyoaks and Eastenders I felt as though I knew more of the current storylines and other information on them as they are more suited to my personal interests and age group.