BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat

Newsbeat analysis

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 

-All bulletin's are around 15 mins which could be to encourage younger audiences to listen to it more as it's only 15 minutes instead of around an hour. 

- Talking about topics that concern the younger demographic (in this case vaping being extremely high in young people) 

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

-Educating the younger people on the harmful effects of vaping and addiction. 

-Talking about women's football- inclusive and more diverse.

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? 

According to the factsheet, radio still has cultural significance in the digital age as it's global and still reaches billions of people. Especially in developing countries where there is barely any access to the Internet, radio is used to inform and entertain civilians. In addition, radio can be found everywhere ranging from our cars, mobile devices and even 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's idea is that the media output is concentrated in the hands of a few, Hesmondhalgh's idea is that the media puts profit before creativity, Livingstone and Lunt's idea is that media regulation should have a consumer-based approach. 

3) What is the definition of public service broadcasting?

Public service broadcasting is broadcasting that's intended for public benefit than to serve commercial interests. 

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.

Attention to minorities – inclusive and non-tokenistic programming. This is because the BBC tries to be all inclusive in their media products and the content they produce. 

Universal appeal – across the board the programming will have something for all an everyone. This is due to the fact that the BBC have started trying to target younger audiences therefore if there's content for younger audiences, it will engage younger audiences. 

Direct funding and universality of payment – not for profit/shareholders. This is beneficial as the BBC operates on a license fee and is not commercial, therefore all content is free to users. 

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

The factsheet suggests that the future of PSB radio is looking 'more precarious' as it cannot convince the young audience that it's worth paying for. The factsheet also mentions that Radio 1 may have to have a separate license fee or individual subscriptions to stations. 

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.

-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.

-To meet these expectations, the BBC must deliver the mission and public purposes set out in its new Royal Charter (the Charter).

- Alongside responsibilities for programme standards and protecting fair and effective competition in the areas in which the BBC operates, the Charter gives Ofcom the job of setting the BBC’s operating licence (the Licence).

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

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

-Support social action campaigns on BBC radio.

-Safeguard vulnerable genres such as arts, music and religious programmes.

-Secure a more distinctive BBC.

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

-Support a wide range of valued genres

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

-Secure a more distinctive BBC.

These are the three most important aspects in the a-h list as securing a more distinctive BBC allows for BBC Radio 1 to differentiate itself from other radio stations due to playing more niche genres of music. As well as the BBC reflecting the full diversity of the UK population allows for BBC Radio 1 to be more inclusive. 

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

Ofcom plans to review how different audiences are represented and portrayed on the BBC due to several groups feeling that the BBC does not adequately represents their lives and interests. 

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

Overall, I believe BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat does offer license fee payers good value for money such as popular music that's trending right now, however majority of the podcasts may not be interesting to younger audiences due to no younger audience topics being mentioned. 

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

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

Ben Cooper was trying to make BBC Radio 1 a truly multi-platform business that keeps pace, and maintains relevance, with the digital-savvy youth audience it is tasked with targeting, as well as wanting to make BBC Radio 1 'the Netflix of music radio'. 

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

“In this job, you’ve got to keep across what young audiences are doing. They want content on whatever device they are using, increasingly the phone, when they want it, and that is the key for us to stay relevant and stay young.”

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

Cooper suggests his multi-platform presence and success across new digital channels such as YouTube, as well as creating a 'phone first' programme for audiences. 

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

Radio 1 is increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms as that's where younger audiences are currently interested and focused in. It is Radio 1's best shot at trying to engage the younger audience with their content and to listen to their podcasts/music. 

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.

In my opinion, the BBC should leave this content to commercial broadcasters as Radio 1 has been failing to target the younger audience due to the mean average age of a listener is 32, therefore maybe Radio 1 should leave it to commercial broadcasters who have caught the attention of younger audiences, as well as the fact that the BBC gets funded through it's license fee whereas commercial broadcasters earn their money from subscriptions, advertisements and listeners.