Radio: BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat

 1) Use BBC Sounds to listen to Radio 1. Scroll to a Newsbeat bulletin (8am or 12.45pm are good options) and write notes on how the bulletins may: 

a) appeal to a youth audience 

 Starts off with upbeat to hook the youth audience with low attention spans.

b) help fulfil the BBC's responsibilities as a public service broadcaster. 

Talks about in the news in a compact way.
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? 

Radio accompanies us in our cars, on commutes through mobile devices and can be found in our homes through television, radio, and voice activated speakers.

2) Look at the page 4 section on media theories. Briefly summarise the ideas of Curran and Seaton, Hesmondhalgh and Livingstone and Lunt.

Curran and Seaton- media output is concentrated in the hands of few

Hesmondhalgh- Media put profit before creativity

Livingstone and Lunt- Media regulation should have a consumer based approach.

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.

Universal appeal – across the board the programming will

have something for all an everyone.

Distance from vested interests – commercial freedom.

Attention to minorities – inclusive and non-tokenistic

programming.

5) What does the Factsheet suggest is the future of PSB radio and how might Radio 1 fit into this?

The BBC has many radio channels which are designed to reflect the nation’s diversity and each week nearly 35 million people tune in to P.S.B channels.

Industry contexts: reading and research

Read the first five pages of this Ofcom document laying out its regulation of the BBC. 

1) Pick out three key points in the 'Summary' section.

BBC is the UK's most widely used media organisation.

BBC must deliver the mission and public purposes set out in its new Royal Charter.

On 29 March 2017, we consulted on a draft Licence setting out requirements for the BBC to fulfil its remit. 

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?

Support a wide range of valued genres.

Support regional and national audiences, and creative economies across the UK.

Require the BBC to reflect the full diversity of the UK population.

3) Which do you think are the three most important aspects in the a-h list? Why? Safe guard vulnerable genres such as arts, music and religious programmes. Our research shows these areas are important for some audiences; but some are in decline. We have therefore confirmed higher requirements for BBC One and BBC Two to show programmes in these genres, including a new requirement to broadcast during peak viewing times. With BBC Three’s move online, we have also introduced a regulatory condition to safeguard the provision of comedy on BBC One and BBC Two for the first time.

Support social action campaigns on BBC radio. We are requiring Radio 1 to offer a minimum number of major social action campaigns each year. Providing information and raising awareness of social issues affecting young people and giving them a platform to engage with is one of the key ways Radio 1 can set itself apart from other radio stations.

Support a wide range of valued genres. The BBC must support a wide range of genres across its channels and services, such as drama, comedy, factual programmes and different types of music. Ofcom expects the BBC to support valued genres, particularly those that have seen declining investment. We also expect the BBC to continue producing programmes on a broad range of established themes and interests – including but not exclusively programmes covering politics, business, consumer issues, rural affairs, health, disability and social action. We will monitor the BBC’s output in a variety of ways to ensure it meets its public purposes and provides a broad range of programmes across its services. 

4) Read point 1.9: What do Ofcom plan to review in terms of diversity and audience? 

. All audiences should feel that the BBC offers something for them, however, our research shows that several groups feel that it does not adequately represent their interests or lives.

5) Based on your reading and research, do you think BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat offers licence fee payers good value for money?

The content produced does not hit the target audience so not at all.

Finally, read this Guardian interview with former BBC 1 Controller Ben Cooper.

1) What was Ben Cooper trying to do with Radio 1?

He talks about his mission to make BBC Radio 1 a multi platform business.

2) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?

He is starting out with 25 hour on demand phone first content.

3) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?

He is innovating from his rivals.

4) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?

“I’m up against Pokémon Go and Minecraft for young audiences. I have to persuade people to switch off Minecraft and watch [Radio 1’s music sessions slot] Live Lounge, get off their iPad and listen to radio. Those are the things that keep me up at night. I’m thinking about tomorrow, not today.”

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.

I believe that content should be left to commercial broadcasters because radio is proven to be on the steady decline and the target audience does not connect with it.