Component 2 - A-level Predictions

Section A: Television in the Global Age

Case Studies: Peaky Blinders and The Bridge

Prediction: Narratology (Todorov) or Postmodernism (Baudrillard).
Rationale: While Genre (Neale) and Structuralism (Lévi-Strauss) appeared in 2021 and 2023 respectively, Todorov’s narratology has not been the primary focus of a 30-mark question in this section recently. Additionally, Postmodernism is a core theory for the "Global Age" that hasn't been tested in depth.
Theoretical Question (30 Marks): "Evaluate the usefulness of Todorov's narratology in understanding the appeal of contemporary television crime drama. Refer to the set episodes of Peaky Blinders and The Bridge in your response."

PETAC Sample Insight (Todorov):\

Point: Both Peaky Blinders and The Bridge utilize a complex "disequilibrium" to sustain narrative tension across a global series.
Evidence: In The Bridge, the disequilibrium is triggered by the discovery of a body on the Øresund Bridge; in Peaky Blinders, it is the theft of the government arms.
Theory: Todorov’s Narratology.
Analysis: Unlike traditional procedural dramas that resolve in 60 minutes, these "Global Age" products use an extended period of imbalance to explore broader social issues, making the resolution (equilibrium) more ideologically significant.
Context: This reflects the transnational nature of television where complex, long-form narratives are essential for international streaming success.

Section B: Magazines – Mainstream and Alternative Media

Case Studies: Vogue and The Big Issue

Prediction: Cultural Industries (Hesmondhalgh) or Identity (Gauntlett).
Rationale: A recent specification amendment added a requirement to study Cultural Industries (Hesmondhalgh) in this section, replacing the previous focus on regulation. This makes it a high-probability topic for 2026. Identity (Gauntlett) is also overdue as a primary focus.
Theoretical Question (30 Marks): "Evaluate the extent to which magazines are shaped by the need to minimise risk and maximise audiences. Refer to the set editions of Vogue and The Big Issue in your response."

PETAC Sample Insight (Hesmondhalgh):

Point: Mainstream magazines like Vogue prioritize profit through high-production values and star appeal, while alternative media like The Big Issue prioritize social value.
Evidence: Vogue relies heavily on high-end fashion advertising and "A-list" celebrity iconography; The Big Issue utilizes a street-vendor distribution model.
Theory: Hesmondhalgh’s Cultural Industries.
Analysis: Vogue minimizes risk by formatting its content through established genre codes (luxury fashion), whereas The Big Issue operates outside the commercial mainstream, taking more "adventurous" risks with political and social content.
Context: This highlights the economic context of the UK magazine industry, where mainstream titles are part of massive conglomerates (Condé Nast) while alternative titles serve a social purpose.

Section C: Media in the Online Age

Case Studies: Zoella (Zoe Sugg) and Attitude

Prediction: Fandom (Jenkins) or Postcolonialism (Gilroy) for Attitude.
Rationale: Clay Shirky (End of Audience) was tested in 2019, and Industry/Power was the focus in 2024. Jenkins' Fandom theory is central to the "Online Age" but hasn't been a main 30-mark evaluation recently. Additionally, the spec emphasizes ethnicity and postcolonialism specifically for Attitude.
Theoretical Question (30 Marks): "To what extent are online media products defined by the participation of their audiences? Refer to Zoe Sugg and the Attitude website in your response."

PETAC Sample Insight (Jenkins):

Point: Online platforms allow audiences to transition from passive consumers to active "fans" who participate in the circulation of meaning.
Evidence: Zoe Sugg’s YouTube comments and social media interactions allow for direct audience engagement; Attitude provides a platform for specialized LGBTQ+ communities to share content and discuss issues.
Theory: Jenkins’ Fandom Theory.
Analysis: This "participatory culture" allows audiences to engage in "textual poaching," where they take elements of the creators' content (like Zoella’s lifestyle) and incorporate it into their own social identities.
Context: This reflects the digitally convergent nature of contemporary media, where the boundaries between producer and consumer have collapsed.

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