What type of shot is used to tell the audience where and when the program takes place?

The establishing shot is crucial in visual storytelling as it serves the primary purpose of providing the audience with the context of the setting, including both the location and time in which the story unfolds. This type of shot typically occurs at the beginning of a scene or sequence, establishing the environment and helping viewers understand the narrative framework. By showcasing wide angles of the setting or significant landmarks, it effectively communicates essential details before the main action starts, setting the tone for the scenes that follow.

In contrast, other types of shots serve different purposes; medium shots focus more on characters and their interactions, high angle shots provide a perspective that can imply vulnerability or insignificance, and group shots emphasize the presence of multiple subjects within a frame. Each serves a unique function but does not fulfill the specific role of situating the audience within the story's world like the establishing shot does.