Explain how popular Music radio programmes target, reach and maintain a variety of audiences. Refer to the BBC1 Breakfast Show to support your answer (15)
UK’s radio industry is built up of the private sector and the public sector controlled by the BBC. The BBC is a PSB, a public service broadcaster, this means that it is owned by the public though them paying their TV licence. In doing this they must meet the requirements, their values to ‘inform, educate and entertain’ and to also represent all the UK. This is of the BBCs highest importance as it is a non-profit organisation and must maintain its audience without advertising like other stations.
Radio 1 is directed at 16–29 year-olds this makes it difficult as it isn’t the typical age for radio listeners. At this age rage they only make up 29% of total radio listeners this makes it difficult for radio to succeed as this generation is more likely to want to listen to their own music/playlists instead of the radio, on platforms such as Spotify and SoundCloud. The BBC has tried to join the trend by introducing BBC sounds, but they were a bit late to the party, as everyone was already using other platforms. However, on the BBC sounds app you can listen to live radio and a range of playlists that they change up frequently. All this is done to try and keep radio alive. Moreover, BBC radio hosts such as Greg James try to remind listeners that they are the reason radio is still running and try to encourage them to stay.
The Radio 1 Breakfast Show has a large presence on social media with, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts having a constant feed of current updates and live things happening. They also have a YouTube channel that they update with clips from different parts of the show. After taking over the show in 2018 Greg James increase the listenership of 500,000. This is down to the fact that Greg has a highly influenced audience segments on the show, he gives a friendly and enthusiastic personality to the show and to they start of listeners days. In doing this he has also introduced games, for example he introduced 10 minuet takeover which allows for a listener to play their song requests on the radio.
The Breakfast show does not rely on any commercial revenue unlike completion stations like, KISS and Absolute meaning that no advertising interrupts the live radio. The station is recognised at playing POP music, unlike BBCs other radio station (2 and 4) the cultural importance isn’t as great.
In conclusion, Radio 1 has maintained their audience by making the listener the number one priority, by making their choices, needs, wants a key part in what the radio does. They use the popularity of social media to connect with the younger listeners. With highly positive and down to earth hosts such as Greg James, a variety of music and a lot of UK talent, radio 1 gives their listeners a positive and up-beat experience.
Comentarios