Uses and Gratifications Theory

During the 1960s, as the first generation to grow up with television became grown ups, it became increasingly apparent to media theorists that audiences made choices about what they did when consuming texts. Far from being a passive mass, audiences were made up of individuals who actively consumed texts for different reasons and in different ways. 

Researchers Blulmer and Katz expanded this theory and published their own in 1974, stating that individuals might choose and use a text for the following purposes 

Diversion - Escape from everyday problems and routine.So for example if you are having a bad day at school or college you will come home and listen to some music or read a certain magazine to cheer you up and forget about the stress of the real world.

Personal Relationships - Using the media for emotional and other interaction. So for example if you have just split up with your boyfriend or girlfriend you will watch certain tv programmes such as Coronation Street to get away from it but then relate to the characters who may be going through the same thing.

Personal Identity - Finding yourself reflected in texts, learning behavior and values from texts. So for example in magazines such has Kerrang they offer help and support to people who are maybe struggling with bullying or any issues like that and people can relate to that if they're going through a hard time themselves. 

Surveillance - Information which could be useful for living eg) weather reports, financial news, holiday bargains.  Music magazines don't really offer this time of news however things like women's magazines feature things like this. The reason music magazines don't feature this kind of news is because the type of people that read these magazines are not particularly interested in that.