Media Factsheet #224: Industrial contexts of Radio
Read Media Factsheet #224 Understanding the Industrial Context of Radio. You'll need your Greenford google login to access it. Answer the following questions:
1) Read the first two pages of the factsheet. How does the Factsheet argue that radio still has cultural significance in the digital age?
The factsheet talks about how although radio has been around for a long time, it doesnt mean that its outdated, they make points talking about how it accompanies us in our cars and can be used in our houses through voice activated devices (alexa,google home..) and on our smart televisions.
2) Look at the page 4 section on media theories. Briefly summarise the ideas of Curran and Seaton, Hesmondhalgh and Livingstone and Lunt.
Curran-> that horizontal integration companies are ruining not only radio stations but whole communities, they believe that when a conglomerate buys small businesses (radio stations in this situation) they lack concentration on a specific radio and wont be able to run it well and it'll change too much.
Read Media Factsheet #224 Understanding the Industrial Context of Radio. You'll need your Greenford google login to access it. Answer the following questions:
1) Read the first two pages of the factsheet. How does the Factsheet argue that radio still has cultural significance in the digital age?
The factsheet talks about how although radio has been around for a long time, it doesnt mean that its outdated, they make points talking about how it accompanies us in our cars and can be used in our houses through voice activated devices (alexa,google home..) and on our smart televisions.
2) Look at the page 4 section on media theories. Briefly summarise the ideas of Curran and Seaton, Hesmondhalgh and Livingstone and Lunt.
Curran-> that horizontal integration companies are ruining not only radio stations but whole communities, they believe that when a conglomerate buys small businesses (radio stations in this situation) they lack concentration on a specific radio and wont be able to run it well and it'll change too much.
Hesmondhalgh-> He believes that the current media now puts profit before creativity, this means mostly that now radio stations are starting to become less enjoyable for the audiences as they play music that'll make them the most money rather than providing what the audience wants since it makes less profit for them.
L&L-> They believe that radio should have a 'consumer based approach' meaning that they should focus more on fulfilling the enjoyment of the audience since in this modern world, platforms such as apple music and Spotify are already there for audiences to consume music so there's no point in radio stations playing random songs if the audience can listen to what they want already whenever they want, instead they need to be more engaging.
3) What is the definition of public service broadcasting?
"television and radio programmes that are broadcast to provide information, advice, or entertainment to the public without trying to make a profit."
4) Look at the list of eight key principles for BBC Radio on page 6 of the factsheet. Choose the three you think are most significant and explain why.
3) What is the definition of public service broadcasting?
"television and radio programmes that are broadcast to provide information, advice, or entertainment to the public without trying to make a profit."
4) Look at the list of eight key principles for BBC Radio on page 6 of the factsheet. Choose the three you think are most significant and explain why.
Guidelines that liberate rather than restrict-> I feel like this ones important because if they were restricting the creativity of their radio station(s) then it wouldn't be as entertaining as it already is and would also be similar to other radio stations.
Universal appeal-> it's important that they maintain a radio station that is enjoyable to different audiences to not make anyone feel excluded, sticking to just one group of people to entertain isnt very inclusive and would ruin their brand image.
Contibution to national identity/sense of community- I feel like this is also an important key princable as currently, the U.K is a very diverse country so its important to show the different audiences between the different cultures
5) What does the Factsheet suggest is the future of PSB radio and how might Radio 1 fit into this?
They mention that the BBC is 'surviving' through their many different platforms being used to maintain relevancy especially with their release of its 'sounds app' in an attempt to regrow their customer base.
Industry contexts: reading and research
1) Pick out three key points in the 'Summary' section.
1-> "The public has exceptionally high expectations of
the BBC, shaped by its role as a publicly-funded broadcaster with a remit to inform,
educate and entertain the public, and to support the creative economy across the UK."
2-> "For the first time, the BBC will be robustly held to
account for doing so by an independent, external regulator"
3-> "setting out requirements for the BBC
to fulfil its remit, and plans for Ofcom to measure the BBC’s overall performance"
2) Now read what the license framework will seek to do (letters a-h). Which of these points could we relate to BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat?
they will be strengthening some of their regulations and introduce a wider range of regulations that will be compulsory for the bbc to follow and abide by. Their overall aim is to make sure that the BBC reaches 'thew widest audience range possible' through their new quotas and updated content.
3) Which do you think are the three most important aspects in the a-h list? Why?
Increase requirements for programs for children-> I heavily stand by this point, the children of this generation no longer indulge in this type of media such as tv channels instead focus on streaming services like YouTube and Netflix, i feel like BBC should plan to strengthen their children program models to regain this.
Support a wide range of valued genres-> As important as it is to have a target audience, its also crucial for companies such as BBC to be able to diversify their content, sure what they upload now might appeal to their target audience but it also obstructs the possibility for more consumers to indulge in their content.
Reflect on the UK diversity-> like i already mentioned, the UK is very diverse and anyone who lives in the UK knows this, this is a good opportunity to be able to relate with viewers as well as making any foreigners feel more accepted.
4) Read point 1.9: What do Ofcom plan to review in terms of diversity and audience?
they're planning to make an in-depth review of how different audiences are represented
and portrayed on the BBC. As they feel that all audiences should feel that the BBC offers something for
them.
5) Based on your reading and research, do you think BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat offers licence fee payers good value for money?
For me personally, i would say no because anything that they produce i can find pretty much anywhere on the internet, the only thing that they have that i think is advantageous is their online news articles which is not included in the licence fee. Although i understand why some may disagree, many people often of the older category might feel a sense of loyalty to the BBC or nostalgia.
1) What was Ben Cooper trying to do with Radio 1?
He made the statement that its his mission to make BBC a multi platform buisness that 'keeps pace, and maintains relevance, with the digital-savvy youth audience it is tasked with targeting.' As well as bringing new audiences to the BBC.
2) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?
Although their statistics say that despite their target audience being 15-25 with their average audience being around 32, he says that on their social media platforms, they gain a large number of followers which is of the younger age group.
3) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?
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4) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?
2) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?
Although their statistics say that despite their target audience being 15-25 with their average audience being around 32, he says that on their social media platforms, they gain a large number of followers which is of the younger age group.
3) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?
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4) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?
Because statistics show that these are the platforms where they have younger audiences and so its an opportunity for them to reach their target audiences.
5) In your opinion, should the BBC’s remit include targeting young audiences via Radio 1 or should this content be left to commercial broadcasters? Explain your answer.
As someone within their targeted age group, id have to say that its almost pointless trying to convince us to indulge in their products as we've grown up with so much more so what the bbc offers in my eyes personally is very underwhelming and to have to pay to use thier services is extremely off putting they should focus on maintaining their current audience instead.
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