Marriage shows based on uses and gratifications approach:A study on Esra Erol'la show

Marriage shows, which have been televised on Turkish television channels since early 2000s, still continue in various formats and types today. In this respect, the study aims to identify which audience watch these marriage shows on which gratification and contents. The study particularly focuses on the marriage show 'Esra Erol'la' which has a high rating on daytime broadcast as a reality show. The sample of the study consists of 319 audience surveyed based on the convenience sampling method through the questionnaire formed in compliance with the objectives of the study based on the Uses and Gratification Approach to survey which gratifications the audience aim to satisfy by watching the show. The analyzed answers were assessed in terms of the Uses and Gratification Approach and the results have shown that a great majority of the respondents watch the show to satisfy the gratifications such as entertainment, flight and relaxation. For the intensity sorting of the gratifications by the audience, entertainment, belonging, contact and social support are the main gratifications respectively. Keywords: Uses and Gratification, Marriage shows, Audience, Motivation, Reality TV.