The media types are the different channels through which information and entertainment are disseminated to the audience.
For a time, the media has been part of our world, even during the olden days when people used several communication methods.
However, as time passed, different communication modes started trickling in providing news for the general public.
Today, we don’t have to travel miles to get the valuable information and news we need for our day-to-day activities.
Media refers to any information delivery system disseminating messages to a targeted audience. TV, Radio, the internet, and many other types of media now convey messages to the public.
Media is the prime source of information, entertainment, marketing, advertising media, and motivation for everyone anywhere in the world.
The primary role of media is to convey messages to the audience through the most appropriate channel for their product.
In this article, you will learn about the different types of media we have today and how all these media influence us.
You can classify media generally into three types.
Print Media
Print media is one of the different types of traditional or old-fashioned print media that today’s parents grew up with.
This media was widespread in the 1980s and 90s, entertaining people because it was the only available media at that time.
Print media is still available nowadays, but it is not as common as it was 20-30 years ago.
Furthermore, people generally relied on print media, such as newspapers and magazines, for information and entertainment about their neighborhood, country, and the outside world in general.
There are several types of Print media, which include:
1. Newspapers
The newspaper is a significant source of information printed daily or weekly for many readers, whether they are looking for local or national news.
A newspaper contains news related to fashion, sports, politics, technology, science, international and national news, entertainment, celebrities, and even advertisements.
Furthermore, newspapers allow prompt delivery of detailed information with many exciting features for the target audience.
Generally, newspapers are flexible, with a wide coverage and geographical and language selectivity.
They are also inexpensive media types with a high frequency. However, while some of the newspaper’s advantages are above, this type of media also has disadvantages: They have a short life span.
Their color can quickly fade if water gets to it or you don’t keep it adequately. Many newspapers’ poor presentation and quality are also a significant disadvantage of this media type.
Lastly, illiterate and impoverished people find it very hard to access a newspaper.
2. Magazine
The magazine is printed weekly, monthly, or yearly and contains information on finance, food, lifestyles, politics, fashion, etc.
Many people cannot differentiate between newspapers and Magazines because they serve almost the same purpose but present themselves differently.
A magazine is a specialized advertising medium for detailed messages and many illustrations, colors, and photos.
They also serve entertainment, educational, and other consumer needs, businesses, and industries. Furthermore, magazines can be local, regional, or national based.
Magazines have a higher quality of physical products because they print them using high-quality paper than newspapers.
They also have a longer period of use because the information in a magazine can be helpful for many months or years.
They also have high reader involvement and can reach specialized groups. However, the high cost, limited frequency, and affluent magazines are significant disadvantages. They also have low flexibility and a long response time.
3. Direct Mail
When you receive postcard promotions or informational flyers delivered through USPS at your home or business address, that is direct mail.
This type of media features particular audiences. It is also convenient and accessible for consumers because they won’t need to make an extra effort to access the content.
Direct mailing also allows for creativity and personalization. However, the high cost of creation, time requirements for printing, mailing, and delivering the content, and low response rate from recipients are the significant disadvantages of direct mailing.
4. Books
Well, a book focuses on a particular topic in a subject or a whole issue, allowing the reader to know more about a specific subject or topic.
5. Billboards
Billboards are advertisements created in a big way using a computer. The billboards’ goal is to attract people passing by. Hence, it is big and placed where people passing can easily see it.
6. Banners
Banners are similar to billboards but not as huge as billboards. They use them to advertise company services and products. Banners are in a place where they can attract people’s attention.
7. Brochures
Like banners and billboards, brochures are also used for advertising, but they are small booklets that only include everything about a company.
The products and services the company renders, terms and conditions, and, most importantly, the contact details and address of the company. You hand them over to people or distribute them with a newspaper.
8. Flyers
Flyers are a type of media used mostly by small companies because the cost of advertising with a flyer is usually low. They contain information about the company, logo, services, products, and how to contact the company. They are in public areas.
Broadcasting Media
Broadcasting media is one type of media that includes videos, audio, or even written content.
They provide people with essential or entertaining information shared using different methods below.
9. Television
Television gives audiences visuals and audio to deliver information and entertainment. Television is generally a principal source of information and entertainment for people exposed to mass media.
This media type is the most authoritative and influential medium for reaching a large audience.
Furthermore, only a few channels shared various types of content on TV in the past. Still, nowadays, we have access to multiple channels showing different content, including sports, lifestyles, movies, fashion, news, and many more.
TV has several advantages, like the powerful audiovisual media earlier stated. It also has a wide range of coverage at an effective cost.
This type of media also collects all your attention when watching them because they are intrusive.
They also have high selectivity and flexibility. However, despite all these advantages, they also have disadvantages: the high cost of purchasing a television and messages delivered on television are generally short-lived. You can change channels or fast-forward to avoid commercials.
10. Radio
Radio offers listeners audio programming without visuals, including music, news on entertainment, sports, and other critical information.
Radio is widely used for advertising because of its high reach. Furthermore, radio as a medium is one of the oldest means of communication and entertainment.
Radio’s advantages include the low cost of advertising and its flexibility in targeting listeners based on time and location.
This type of media also has comprehensive coverage and can reach low-income audiences. However, Radio’s disadvantages include no visual elements.
Listeners can also change channels; the short ad lifespan gives Radio some disadvantages.
11. Movies
Movies have a worldwide reach. They’re the best type of media for promoting culture and spreading social awareness.
Movies also allow advertisers to incorporate their products outside a traditional advertisement, although these are not so common except for movie advertising movies.
These media types have a vast reach, with an average annual movie attendance of over 1 billion. They also engage the audience and target geographical and specific age demographics.
However, the high cost of watching a movie and the low frequency put movies at a significant disadvantage.
Internet Media
The Internet is a worldwide medium that provides a means of exchanging information through interconnected computers.
These media types rapidly become people’s favorite advertising medium because they offer limitless advertising opportunities.
Furthermore, this medium involves using the World Wide Web to showcase a website. It is accessible to anyone with access to a computer and broadband connection.
These media types are vast, and they are becoming people’s favorites because they are highly interactive global media that generate an immediate response.
They also provide high selectivity and flexibility. However, getting a PC is expensive, and the prices of acquiring data and broadband connection are also very high. Internet media are social networks, online forums, and Email.
12. Social Networks
Many people refer to social networks as social media, including Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Snapchat, Linkedin, Tumblr, etc.
Some others are social websites, including Quora, Reddit, YouTube, etc. These social networks are user-friendly, widely used, and accepted by many worldwide.
They also have a large audience and can directly connect to consumers. However, misleading information is the most significant disadvantage of these networks.
People can easily say anything they like without any regulation. This can be time-consuming, have a high potential for negative comments, and be costly.
13. Online Forum
An online forum can comment, message, and discuss a particular topic. This media type is regarded as the best platform to seek support and assistance because you share knowledge with people with the same interests.
14. Email
Email is a type of media companies or individuals use to reach customers and individuals quickly and directly. They are inexpensive and straightforward to create.
Customers not seeing the mail you sent or not clicking on it is a significant disadvantage of using mail.
