Line of Duty - Encoding/ Decoding Model

Line of Duty is a British police procedural TV series, broadcast on the BBC. The first series premiered in June 2012, with its fifth series recently starting in March 2019. The show follows the division of the AC-12 unit as they investigate possible corruptions in the police. The series is written by Jed Mercurio and stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar. This series has grown in popularity over time and has won a number of awards, including: the Royal Television Society Award and the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Drama Series. In addition to this, show was included in a list of the Top 50 BBC 2 of all time.

The target audience for this series is possible those interested in crime shows and are around the age of 20's. I believe that the show targets the explorer audience as the show isn't particularly conventional as it explores some darker themes, as well as the structure that is used. As well as this, this audience seeks new experiences. This would target this specific audience as not many people would have an inside experience with this organisation.

The preferred reading for the series, set by the encoders, would be for the audience to become involved in the show by attempting to figure out the mystery of the investigation themselves. This is an apparent preferred reading as the audience is encouraged to change their minds throughout the series about who is truly responsible. In addition to this, another preferred reading would be to find the show to be interesting and enjoyable. This is apparent as although the show can be quite serious at times, there are jokes included. Furthermore, the encoders intend for the audience to become attached to the characters as we are taken on a with them through their career. Lastly, the series is on a number of platforms, for example they have a dedicated Instagram, Twitter and Facebook page, as well as showcasing small clips, such as trailers, on YouTube. The preferred reading for the text would align with the encoders wanting the audience to get involved on other social media sites. It encourages the audience to get involved through having a hashtag for the show, particularly in recent years when social media as become more popular.

An oppositional reading, on the other hand, would be for the decoders to find the show too dramatic. At times, the show can be a little over-dramatic, but the preferred reading of this is that is it for enjoyment and to add shock-factor. Other audience members may not enjoy the genre, and therefore may not find it interesting. Reasons for the oppositional would include the audiences' situated culture. This is the situation that the audience member is placed in whilst watching the product. For example, if an audience member is watching the series in a room filled with people, they are likely to not enjoy it as much or, in other words, not take the preferred reading set by the encoders. Moreover, the audience may be lead to take the negotiated reading, depending on their situated culture. The idea of the negotiated reading is that the audience accepts parts of the preferred reading, but adds some of their own ideas, too, creating a compromise.

Overall, the show can be read in a number of different ways, which can result from the audience's experiences. But, the dominant reading set by the encoders of the text would be for the audience to find it entertaining as well as interesting.