BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat: Blog tasks

 Media Factsheet #224: Industrial contexts of Radio

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 fact-sheet argues it still reaches billions of people. In some developing countries in Africa where people still have limited or no access to the Internet radio is still the dominant medium to inform and entertain them.

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 companies and buying up smaller stations leads to the concentration of ownership in the hands of large conglomerates. This can lead to the reduction of other radio broadcasters being able to reach audiences.

3) What is the definition of public service broadcasting?

The definition of public service broadcasting shows on radio and television that are presented for information.

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.

The first major one would be universal geographic accessibility because restricting radio listeners to people/stakeholders just based on there location would be a loss of an audience. The second would be distance from vested interests and this is because a successful radio station would need the commercial freedom to discuss topics on the show that would really interest the audience and listeners

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

The BBC suggest that It could be that P.S.B radio broadcasting might have to have a separate licence fee, or we may see the development of individual subscriptions to stations.

Industry contexts: reading and research

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

• 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.
• We will not accept falling standards on the BBC’s output and services. If the BBC falls short, we will step in for audiences.

• We have considered the impact on the BBC of our requirements and we are confident that they are proportionate and deliverable within the BBC’s budgets

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?

The one that is related to BBC radio 1 newbeat would be the third one which is We proposed that our Licence should be organised around the BBC’s public purposes.

3) Which do you think are the three most important aspects in the a-h list? Why?

D which is the final license and that is indefinably the most important one.

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

 Our strategy places a strong emphasis on fostering fairness and inclusion, assisting broadcasters in enforcing diversity throughout their workplaces. The links on this page provide more information about the modifications we have made to the manner we request diversity data from broadcasters, as well as updated industry best practise guidance. 

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

No they dont because less people are listening to the station yet we are still having to pay a useless license fee.

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

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

“I want Radio 1 to be the Netflix of music radio,” he says, trundling out the catchy soundbite to back his latest plan: taking a leaf out of the hugely successful US streaming service’s book by making programmes available on demand.

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

While BBC Radio 1 may be blooming nicely on new digital channels, Cooper remains under pressure to bring the age of listeners of BBC Radio 1 down. The target is 15- to 29-year-olds, the average is 32.

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

Radio 1 has a considerably more distinctive musical sound, and it is obviously focusing on tunes that one of its primary rivals on commercial radio isn't playing. It is undoubtedly making its own hits and profiting from the continued play of such songs.

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

In his five years in charge of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, Cooper has supercharged its multi-platform presence. Major successes include the station’s YouTube channel, which now has almost 3.5 million subscribers and more than 1bn views.