Radio - Intro

Read Media Factsheet #224 Understanding the Industrial Context of Radio. This will give you a wider perspective on industry contexts for radio with particular focus on the industry theorists (Hesmondhalgh, Curran & Seaton, Livingstone & Lunt). 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? 

• Available across all platforms
• It still has billions of listeners
• Still a daily listen for people (e.g. in their cars)
• Up coming streamers
• Companies advertise on 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: Communities are diminished when they lose their local radio stations.
• Hesmondhalgh: The media put profit before creativity
• Livingstone and Lunt: Media regulation should have a consumer based approacg

3) What is the definition of public service broadcasting?

Refers to broadcasting intended for public benefit rather than to serve purely 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.

• 1) Universal geographic accessibility – you can listen to radio anywhere in the country.

This is good because if BBC Radio is apart of their routine it won't be a problem moving around. It also helps BBC Radio funding because it makes sure listeners can listen whenever and wherever.they want to

• Universal appeal – across the board the programming will have something for all an everyone.

This is good because it ensures the target audience is as wide and mainstream as possible.

• Guidelines that liberate rather than restrict – enabling creativity.

This is good because it doesn't prevent listeners from finding what they want whilst still protecting them.

5) What does the Factsheet suggest is the future of PSB radio? Do you agree?

It suggests that in order for PSB radio to continue getting funded, they'd probably have to adjust how they do the license fee because audiences are expecting entertainment for free nowadays because life is getting expensive. I agree because it will be difficult to justify getting a bunch of not listening people to pay for a PSB they don't ever partake in which will cause conflict and disagreements as it is unfair to charge people for something they dont even use or listen to at all