1) Radio: Introduction to Radio
2) Radio: Life Hacks
3) Radio: War of the Worlds
Monday 28 September 2020
Wednesday 23 September 2020
Radio: War of the Worlds CSP (1938)
Radio: War of the Worlds CSP (1938)
Our second CSP for radio is the 1938 CBS broadcast of War of the Worlds.
This is a famous broadcast of Orson Welles's radio play - an adaptation of HG Wells's science-fiction novel of the same name. It is a text of historical significance due to a long-running debate over the effect the broadcast had over audiences at the time. Here's a lesson video taking you through some of the key ideas around War of the Worlds:
Narrative and background
War of the Worlds, a science-fiction novel by author HG Wells, was first published in 1898. It is a story of alien invasion and war between mankind and an extra-terrestrial race from Mars.
The original 1938 Orson Welles broadcast is available here:
In particular, focus on the following extracts:
Opening: 0.00 – 4.00
Development: 10.00 – 13.00
Emergence of alien: 17.00 – 19.00
Middle section: 39.00 – 41.00
Ending: 57.00 – end
Think about these questions while you listen:
Orson Welles was initially reluctant to adapt War of the Worlds, describing it as 'boring'. He was persuaded by the prospect of using recent developments in radio news reporting to create a hybrid-form radio play designed to sound like a real breaking news story. The broadcast begins with a music performance that is increasingly interrupted by breaking news of martians invading New Jersey.
Historical context
Media effects theories
The War of the Worlds radio play has become a much-studied text with regards to media effects theories. The initial reported reaction from audiences provided evidence for the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory - that suggests people believe whatever they see or hear in the media. However, later studies suggest the audience reaction was exaggerated by the newspaper industry (under threat from radio at the time) and that audiences are more sophisticated consumers of media than first thought.
You can also apply Gerbner's Cultivation Theory, the two-step flow model and Stuart Hall's Reception Theory to Orson Welles's War of the Worlds broadcast.
Radiolab podcast on War of the Worlds
The American podcast Radiolab looked back on the significance of the 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds and later attempts to recreate the effect. It's a brilliant summary of the context and reaction from the audience alongside clips from the broadcast and transcripts from interviews at the time.
You can listen to the Radiolab podcast here.
War of the Worlds: Blog tasks
1) What is the history and narrative behind War of the Worlds?
A radio adaption of H.G. Wells’ novel first published in 1898, War of the Worlds was adapted by Orson Welles (director of citizen kane) in 1938.
2) When was it first broadcast and what is the popular myth regarding the reaction from the audience?
The New York Times headline was "MANY FLEE HOMES TO ESCAPE ‘GAS RAID FROM MARS’ – PHONE CALLS SWAMP POLICE AT BROADCAST OF WELLES FANTASY"
4) How did author Brad Schwartz describe the the broadcast and its reaction?
6) How did world events in 1938 affect the way audiences interpreted the show?
>Hitler signed the Munich Agreement annexing portions of Czechoslovakia and creating the ‘Sudetenland’.
>At this time, radio networks frequently interrupted programmes to issue news bulletins with updates on the situation in Europe
>As a result, audiences became familiar with such interruptions and were thus more accepting of Welles’ faux newscasts at the beginning of the play. Indeed, for the listeners, it didn’t sound like a play.
It can be interpreted as a passive audience believing whatever they hear, however there were many other factors that could make an audience of the time believe something like war of the world:
"The theory states that audiences consume and respond to media texts in an unquestioning way, believing what they read, see or hear.
10) How might Gerbner's cultivation theory be applied to the broadcast?
It seems to be one of the first instances of mass hysteria caused due to a piece of fictional media, which brings up questions about the morality of blurring the line between fiction and reality and the way audiences respond to media such as this. It likely caused discussions about how passive audiences are in the consuming of media and how global events can obscure our perception of it.
Well, War of the Worlds was presented as a piece of fiction from the beginning. The objective wasn't to trick the audience into believing that this was a real alien invasion. The newspapers however, purposefully exaggerated the audience reaction in order to discredit radio. Since the newspapers presented this as fact, surely the greater example of fake news is the newspapers.
3) Do you agree with the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory? If not, was there a point in history audiences were more susceptible to believing anything they saw or heard in the media?
I think people are much more cautious of news and messages they see online. The digital media age allows for more "normal" people's viewpoints to be shared around easier, and thus a user of social media isn't going to believe everything they see as they are bound to agree with some things and disagree with others. The age allows for critical thinking and for people to make their own viewpoints and share their views.
5) Do you agree with George Gerbner's Cultivation theory - that suggests exposure to the media has a gradual but significant effect on audience's views and beliefs? Give examples to support your argument.
I think this theory can be true in some cases, especially with children, however I don't think the media can completely desensitise people when it comes to certain topics.
6) Is Gerbner's Cultivation theory more or less valid today than it would have been in 1938? Why?
This is a famous broadcast of Orson Welles's radio play - an adaptation of HG Wells's science-fiction novel of the same name. It is a text of historical significance due to a long-running debate over the effect the broadcast had over audiences at the time. Here's a lesson video taking you through some of the key ideas around War of the Worlds:
Narrative and background
War of the Worlds, a science-fiction novel by author HG Wells, was first published in 1898. It is a story of alien invasion and war between mankind and an extra-terrestrial race from Mars.
The original 1938 Orson Welles broadcast is available here:
In particular, focus on the following extracts:
Opening: 0.00 – 4.00
Development: 10.00 – 13.00
Emergence of alien: 17.00 – 19.00
Middle section: 39.00 – 41.00
Ending: 57.00 – end
Think about these questions while you listen:
- How does the radio play seek to engage the audience?
- What effect do you think this may have had on radio audiences in 1938?
Hybrid genre
Orson Welles was initially reluctant to adapt War of the Worlds, describing it as 'boring'. He was persuaded by the prospect of using recent developments in radio news reporting to create a hybrid-form radio play designed to sound like a real breaking news story. The broadcast begins with a music performance that is increasingly interrupted by breaking news of martians invading New Jersey.
Historical context
In 1938, the world was on edge as Germany mobilised to invade Europe and populations feared gas attacks from another world war. In the weeks leading up to the 1938 broadcast, American radio stations had increasingly cut into scheduled programming to bring news updates from Europe on the chances of war. This meant Welles's use of radio news conventions had more of an impact on listeners who were unaware that it was a fictional radio play.
The War of the Worlds radio play has become a much-studied text with regards to media effects theories. The initial reported reaction from audiences provided evidence for the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory - that suggests people believe whatever they see or hear in the media. However, later studies suggest the audience reaction was exaggerated by the newspaper industry (under threat from radio at the time) and that audiences are more sophisticated consumers of media than first thought.
You can also apply Gerbner's Cultivation Theory, the two-step flow model and Stuart Hall's Reception Theory to Orson Welles's War of the Worlds broadcast.
Radiolab podcast on War of the Worlds
The American podcast Radiolab looked back on the significance of the 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds and later attempts to recreate the effect. It's a brilliant summary of the context and reaction from the audience alongside clips from the broadcast and transcripts from interviews at the time.
You can listen to the Radiolab podcast here.
War of the Worlds: Blog tasks
Media Factsheet
Read Media Factsheet #176: CSP Radio - War of the Worlds. You'll need your Greenford Google login to download it. Then answer the following questions:
Read Media Factsheet #176: CSP Radio - War of the Worlds. You'll need your Greenford Google login to download it. Then answer the following questions:
1) What is the history and narrative behind War of the Worlds?
A radio adaption of H.G. Wells’ novel first published in 1898, War of the Worlds was adapted by Orson Welles (director of citizen kane) in 1938.
It tells the fictional event of an alien invasion and the ensuing conflict between mankind and an extra-terrestrial race from Mars in the vein similar to a news story.
The Trenton Police Department (close to the site of the fictional invasion) received over 2000 calls in less than two hours, while the New York Times switchboard received 875 calls from concerned listeners wanting to know where they would be safe.
The Trenton Police Department (close to the site of the fictional invasion) received over 2000 calls in less than two hours, while the New York Times switchboard received 875 calls from concerned listeners wanting to know where they would be safe.
2) When was it first broadcast and what is the popular myth regarding the reaction from the audience?
30th October 1938. The myth is that there was mass panic and hysteria out on the streets.
3) How did the New York Times report the reaction the next day?
3) How did the New York Times report the reaction the next day?
The New York Times headline was "MANY FLEE HOMES TO ESCAPE ‘GAS RAID FROM MARS’ – PHONE CALLS SWAMP POLICE AT BROADCAST OF WELLES FANTASY"
It was said the broadcast disrupted households, interrupted religious services, created traffic jams and clogged communication systems, and that many began to flee their homes.
4) How did author Brad Schwartz describe the the broadcast and its reaction?
He suggests that hysteria it caused was not entirely a myth. “Instead it was something decades ahead of its time: history’s first viral-media phenomenon.”
He argues that “the stories of those whom the show frightened offer a fascinating window onto how users engage with media content, spreading and reinterpreting it to suit their own world views.
But it’s even more important to understand how the press magnified and distorted those reactions, creating a story that terrified the nation all over again, so that we can recognise when the same thing happens today. Our news media still have a penchant for making us fear the wrong things, of inflating certain stories into false Armageddons, as they did with War of the Worlds.”
5) Why did Orson Welles use hybrid genres and pastiche and what effect might it have had on the audience?
5) Why did Orson Welles use hybrid genres and pastiche and what effect might it have had on the audience?
His version of War of the Worlds reworks a Victorian narrative about an alien invasion (which he considered “boring”) and turns it into an exciting radio play through his use of pastiche.
By borrowing the conventions of the radio newscast, he is able to create real moments of shock and awe, which almost certainly account for the strong reaction it received. By creating a hybrid form – mixing conventional storytelling with news conventions – Welles blurred the boundaries between fact and fiction in a way that audiences had never experienced.
6) How did world events in 1938 affect the way audiences interpreted the show?
>At this time, radio networks frequently interrupted programmes to issue news bulletins with updates on the situation in Europe
>As a result, audiences became familiar with such interruptions and were thus more accepting of Welles’ faux newscasts at the beginning of the play. Indeed, for the listeners, it didn’t sound like a play.
>The rise of fascism and Nazism in the 1930s during the build up to the second world war undoubtedly caused the public to be more on-edge and more likely to get panicked by a radio series like this.
7) Which company broadcast War of the Worlds in 1938?
7) Which company broadcast War of the Worlds in 1938?
CBS Radio network
8) Why might the newspaper industry have deliberately exaggerated the response to the broadcast?
1930s and 1940s were considered to be the ‘golden age of radio.’
During this era radio was still a relatively new medium but was widespread in homes across America. It was increasingly competing with newspapers for audiences and advertisers and, in 1938, was winning the battle.
Radio made money off advertising revenue from print during the Depression, badly damaging the newspaper industry.
Papers seized the opportunity to discredit radio as a source of news.
9) Does War of the Worlds provide evidence to support the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory?
9) Does War of the Worlds provide evidence to support the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory?
"The theory states that audiences consume and respond to media texts in an unquestioning way, believing what they read, see or hear.
This might be true of the audiences of the 1930s, unfamiliar with new media forms like radio, but in the modern age it carries less weight.
It is questionable as to how far most of the audience were actually duped by the broadcast. And, those who ‘bought into’ the idea of an invasion, may well have been influenced by external factors such as the social and political context of the time. It was not impossible to believe that a foreign power was invading American soil in 1938."
10) How might Gerbner's cultivation theory be applied to the broadcast?
Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory emphasises the longer-term effects that media texts have upon audiences. Based on his research into television viewing, cultivation theory states that high frequency viewers of television are more susceptible to media messages and the belief that they are real.
Applied to War of the Worlds it could be argued that an audience familiar with the frequent interruptions to radio shows over the weeks leading up to the broadcast did not question the faux invasion broadcasts during Welles’ production.
11) Applying Hall's Reception Theory, what could be the preferred and oppositional readings of the original broadcast?
11) Applying Hall's Reception Theory, what could be the preferred and oppositional readings of the original broadcast?
The preferred reading may be to feel an initial shock from the presentation of the broadcast, however interpret it as a fictional story to enjoy as a piece of entertainment. Welles likely assumed the audience listening would have enough media literacy to realise, at least as the broadcast continued, that this wasn't real.
The oppositional reading would be to completely panic about it.
12) Do media products still retain the ability to fool audiences as it is suggested War of the Worlds did in 1938? Has the digital media landscape changed this?
12) Do media products still retain the ability to fool audiences as it is suggested War of the Worlds did in 1938? Has the digital media landscape changed this?
The factsheet mentions The Blair Witch Project, a film made up of 'found footage' which sparked debate among audiences as to whether the footage was real. However due to where they watch the media text, it is unlikely to have fooled the audience in the same way, or with the same authority as a series of radio news bulletins.
Analysis and opinion
1) Why do you think the 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds has become such a significant moment in media history?
It also sheds light on the way newspapers and media can exaggerate events in order to fit their narrative, showing how powerful news outlets are in shaping society's worldview.
2) War of the Worlds feels like a 1938 version of 'fake news'. But which is the greater example of fake news - Orson Welles's use of radio conventions to create realism or the newspapers exaggerating the audience reaction to discredit radio?
3) Do you agree with the Frankfurt School's Hypodermic Needle theory? If not, was there a point in history audiences were more susceptible to believing anything they saw or heard in the media?
I don't, as it suggests audiences are completely passive shells who will consume any ideology presented to them.
I think there was. For example, the film of a train that was shown to a group of people that caused them to dodge out of the way, due to never seeing a film before and not being able to comprehend it.
4) Has the digital media age made the Hypodermic Needle model more or less relevant? Why?
4) Has the digital media age made the Hypodermic Needle model more or less relevant? Why?
I think people are much more cautious of news and messages they see online. The digital media age allows for more "normal" people's viewpoints to be shared around easier, and thus a user of social media isn't going to believe everything they see as they are bound to agree with some things and disagree with others. The age allows for critical thinking and for people to make their own viewpoints and share their views.
5) Do you agree with George Gerbner's Cultivation theory - that suggests exposure to the media has a gradual but significant effect on audience's views and beliefs? Give examples to support your argument.
If you are constantly exposed to one ideology, such as only getting your news from right leaning news outlets, you may easily develop right wing ideologies for example. In the same way a child may develop bigoted views from their parents.
An example that disagrees is the use of death in media texts. Media is saturated with death, with video games, movies and any piece of fictional writing showing and discussing death constantly. The average person has probably been exposed to hundreds of examples of death, murder etc in movies and TV, and so they are likely to be desensitised to the abundance of it in media. However, I don't think it would effect a person to the point that hearing or witnessing a death in real life would make them apathetic to it.
6) Is Gerbner's Cultivation theory more or less valid today than it would have been in 1938? Why?
I think it's less valid, as in this digital age we have access to everybody's views and opinions through social media and can easily make judgements about if we agree or disagree or not. We don't only consume left wing media or right wing media, we consume both.
Monday 21 September 2020
Radio: Life Hacks
Radio: Life Hacks
Our first CSP for radio is the BBC Radio 1 show Life Hacks.
Our key concepts for Radio are industries and audience so these are the contexts we need to consider when studying the texts. This video gives you a brief outline of the CSP and the contexts we need to study:
Previously on: The Surgery
Before being merged into Life Hacks, The Surgery was an evening radio show on BBC Radio 1 that ran between 1999 and 2017. Most recently, it was on every Wednesday at 9pm and ran for 60 minutes. It featured presenter Katie Thistleton and advice from Dr Radha Modgil.
It worked like an agony aunt column in old teenage magazines and took on controversial subjects such as gender identity, sexuality, relationships and mental health. It featured texts and calls from listeners and the post-watershed slot meant adult topics could be discussed.
The Surgery
Life Hacks: Stormzy interview
Life Hacks: debt advice feature on BBC Sounds
Listen to this debt advice feature on BBC Sounds.
BBC Radio 1: History
BBC Radio 1 launched in 1967 playing pop music and using jingles in the style of American radio. It was a significant change from previous BBC content and was hugely popular in the 1970s and 1980s (some shows had 10m+ listeners).
It became available on DAB digital radio in 1995 but not promoted until digital radios were more popular in 2002. It is available via digital TV and online via BBC Sounds.
Radio 1 is famous for events as well as radio – summer Roadshows, Big Weekends and the annual Teen Awards.
Industries: Radio in decline
Although the BBC still boasts impressive audience figures for BBC Radio 2 and 4, it has struggled to attract young listeners to BBC Radio 1 in recent years.
Since 2010 listeners have declined – and although BBC R1 targets 15-29 year olds the average listener in 2017 was aged 30. Radio 1 is increasingly focusing on digital and social media with 16m weekly YouTube views reached in 2018.
Radio 1 Audience profile:
I believe they are attempting to reach a younger, more modern audience, as it suggests using social media to get in touch with them. They also have a section about the BBC Young Writer's award, and utilises has two young hosts.
2) Go to the Life Hacks podcast episodes page. Listen to a few episodes of the podcast and explain how the topics may a) appeal to a youth audience and b) help fulfil the BBC's responsibilities as a public service broadcaster.
The Life Hacks podcast is relevant to a young audience because it's there to give advice on mental health in daily life: living, relationships, and quarantine. It informs, educates and entertains with it's fun presentation and life stories relating to current afairs.
Media Factsheet
Read Media Factsheet #196 Close Study Product: Radio - Life Hacks. You'll need your Greenford google login to download it. Answer the following questions:
1) Read the first page of the factsheet. What content does Life Hacks offer to listeners?
Discussions and advice regarding sex, relationships and mental health. Adolescent issues
I think it covers a few, such as supporting learning for people of all ages, reflecting the UK's cultural diversity and it's values and culture.
4) Do you consider Life Hacks to be a 'distinctive offering' that helps the BBC to fulfil its public service broadcasting remit? Why?
Yes, as it offers advice on adolescent topics, teaching the youth how to cope with current issues and supporting them in the form of entertainment such as music and discussion. It makes the BBC seem less archaic as it targets less the general public and more the specific youth.
5) Look at the figures on page 3 of the factsheet. How much does the BBC spend on Radio 1?
1.6% of the licence fee
6) How has new technology impacted on radio?
Radio has generally thrived in the digital environment with overall listening figures demonstrating an upward trend with audiences able to consume on a range of platforms and by personalising their listening through access to a podcasts.However, younger audiences, while making greater use of smart devices to consume music and audio content, are listening to a lot less live radio.
The audiences targeted by Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra are young people. Radio 1 has a median age of 30. They have more female and ABC1 listeners. 90% are white.
9) Applying Gerbner's Cultivation theory, how might Life Hacks influence its listeners (or 'cultivate' certain views)?
The preferred reading may be that the listener finds the advice and services useful and reliable, and thus their life is enriched from it.
Audience contexts: additional reading
He found out interesting concepts set up by popular rapper Stormzy where they talk about his campaign that helps fund scholarships for BME students to get into Cambridge and Oxford university
RAJAR figures for Q2 of 2018 shown that Radio 1 has lost 200,000 weekly listeners since May, when they attracted 9.4 million listeners a week.
The 9.2 million listeners that Radio 1 now pulls in each week is officially the second-lowest ever recorded ratings for the BBC station, and is close to equalling the lowest weekly rating of 9.1 million, which was posted in May 2017.
They interview a range of personalities, offering both information and advice and education to young audiences about their causes. Entertainment aspects stem from the celebrities interviewed, such as Stormzy, which are likely to appeal to young audiences.
"the public has exceptionally high expectations of the BBC"
"leaving creative decisions in the hands of programme-makers, but stretching and challenging the BBC to deliver for all its audiences."
"In most areas, they place tougher requirements on the broadcaster than existed before, as well as safeguarding key areas of delivery. They set a baseline for future performance."
"support social action campaigns on radio"
"require the BBC to reflect the full diversity of the UK"
"secure a more distinctive BBC"
Those which promote diversity and variety.
Plans to ensure that all audiences are represented in BBC content and that it reflects the interests and values of people all over the UK.
7) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?
He comments '“We will play something like 4,000 different tracks a month, commercial radio plays about 400. We need to play hit music to get audiences in to expose them to new music', as well as suggesting radio 1 is meeting the BBC remit to entertain and educate.
9) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?
Youtube is a massively dominant platform where you can easily watch anything you want at any time for free, and is also heavily browsed by the target audience of radio 1. Simply put, in this digital age it would be suicide to ignore digital platforms like youtube.
The BBC should absolutely try and be representing a variety of interests and demographics in their content. I overall think that the BBC's current direction of targeting a young audience through Radio 1 is a smart decision.
Our key concepts for Radio are industries and audience so these are the contexts we need to consider when studying the texts. This video gives you a brief outline of the CSP and the contexts we need to study:
Previously on: The Surgery
Before being merged into Life Hacks, The Surgery was an evening radio show on BBC Radio 1 that ran between 1999 and 2017. Most recently, it was on every Wednesday at 9pm and ran for 60 minutes. It featured presenter Katie Thistleton and advice from Dr Radha Modgil.
It worked like an agony aunt column in old teenage magazines and took on controversial subjects such as gender identity, sexuality, relationships and mental health. It featured texts and calls from listeners and the post-watershed slot meant adult topics could be discussed.
The Surgery > Life Hacks
In November 2017, The Surgery was merged into a new Sunday afternoon show called Life Hacks that runs between 4pm – 6pm presented by Cel Spellman and Katie Thistleton. This mostly plays music but offers advice segments with Dr Modgil covering similar topics to The Surgery.
Although both The Surgery and Life Hacks ran in scheduled broadcast slots, in recent years the programme has been available as a podcast and encourages digital consumption and interaction.
The Surgery
Life Hacks: Stormzy interview
Life Hacks: debt advice feature on BBC Sounds
Listen to this debt advice feature on BBC Sounds.
BBC Radio 1: History
BBC Radio 1 launched in 1967 playing pop music and using jingles in the style of American radio. It was a significant change from previous BBC content and was hugely popular in the 1970s and 1980s (some shows had 10m+ listeners).
It became available on DAB digital radio in 1995 but not promoted until digital radios were more popular in 2002. It is available via digital TV and online via BBC Sounds.
Radio 1 is famous for events as well as radio – summer Roadshows, Big Weekends and the annual Teen Awards.
Industries: Radio in decline
Although the BBC still boasts impressive audience figures for BBC Radio 2 and 4, it has struggled to attract young listeners to BBC Radio 1 in recent years.
Since 2010 listeners have declined – and although BBC R1 targets 15-29 year olds the average listener in 2017 was aged 30. Radio 1 is increasingly focusing on digital and social media with 16m weekly YouTube views reached in 2018.
Radio 1 Audience profile:
- Slightly more female than male
- 58% ABC1 (against population average of 55%)
- 90% white
- 41% of audience is in target audience range of 15-29
- Median age of 32
Industries: BBC remit and regulation
In 2011, BBC Radio 1 was part of a review into what the license fee should fund. Critics suggested that the content of BBC Radio 1 and 2 should be left to the commercial sector.
In response, the BBC made major changes at BBC Radio 1, aiming to re-target a core 15-24 audience and offering more diverse programming.
Since 2017, the BBC has been regulated by Ofcom. It is responsible for BBC content and ensuring it is delivering on its remit.
BBC Radio 1 - Life Hacks: Blog tasks
Analysis
Read the notes and listen to the extracts from Life Hacks above before answering the following questions:
1) Go to the Life Hacks iPlayer page and analyse the content. What does this suggest regarding the Life Hacks audience and what the BBC is hoping to achieve with the programme?
2) Go to the Life Hacks podcast episodes page. Listen to a few episodes of the podcast and explain how the topics may a) appeal to a youth audience and b) help fulfil the BBC's responsibilities as a public service broadcaster.
The Life Hacks podcast is relevant to a young audience because it's there to give advice on mental health in daily life: living, relationships, and quarantine. It informs, educates and entertains with it's fun presentation and life stories relating to current afairs.
Media Factsheet
Read Media Factsheet #196 Close Study Product: Radio - Life Hacks. You'll need your Greenford google login to download it. Answer the following questions:
1) Read the first page of the factsheet. What content does Life Hacks offer to listeners?
2) Which of the five central purposes in the BBC's remit does Life Hacks cover?
3) Read the history of Radio 1 on page 2. Why was the launch of Radio 1 both significant and controversial?
Radio 1 launched in the 60s in order to meet the needs of the youth. BBC radio at the time was limited to news, discussions, pop and classical music. Up until this time young
people could only access contemporary rock, pop and soul music through pirate radio stations Controversy arose as the BBC was monopolising music broadcasting in the UK when commercial alternatives could be found, and many questioned the BBC's decision to promote pop music was wrong as it didn't fit in with their PSB remits.
4) Do you consider Life Hacks to be a 'distinctive offering' that helps the BBC to fulfil its public service broadcasting remit? Why?
5) Look at the figures on page 3 of the factsheet. How much does the BBC spend on Radio 1?
1.6% of the licence fee
6) How has new technology impacted on radio?
Radio has generally thrived in the digital environment with overall listening figures demonstrating an upward trend with audiences able to consume on a range of platforms and by personalising their listening through access to a podcasts.
7) What has Radio 1 done in response to the changes new technology have had on radio?
This has led Radio 1 (and 1Xtra) to innovate by making its live radio more visual, informative and social, through its Live Lounge and presence on social media. As such, Life Hacks exists as a multi- media platform product with audiences choosing how and with the programme.
8) What are the audiences targeted by Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra? What is their actual audience?
8) What are the audiences targeted by Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra? What is their actual audience?
9) Applying Gerbner's Cultivation theory, how might Life Hacks influence its listeners (or 'cultivate' certain views)?
Life Hacks could shape a young person’s perception of the world that they live in and the problems that they may face as the whole podcast centres around how to tackle life problems.
10) Applying Hall's Reception theory, how might different audiences 'read' Life Hacks? What pleasures or reactions might different audiences have to the programme?
10) Applying Hall's Reception theory, how might different audiences 'read' Life Hacks? What pleasures or reactions might different audiences have to the programme?
The oppositional reading is that the radio show is useless and preachy and the listener interprets it as unhelpful.
A negotiated reading is that the listener respects the advice however finds the presentation of the show to be unfavourable. Or perhaps a listener who is not in the age demographic for the show would not find the content particularly helpful, yet nevertheless enjoyable.
Audience contexts: additional reading
1) Read this short Guardian review of Life Hacks. What points does the reviewer make about Life Hacks and the particular podcast episode they listened to?
2) Read this NME feature on Radio 1 listener figures. What are the key statistics to take from this article regarding the decline in Radio 1 audience ratings?
RAJAR figures for Q2 of 2018 shown that Radio 1 has lost 200,000 weekly listeners since May, when they attracted 9.4 million listeners a week.
The 9.2 million listeners that Radio 1 now pulls in each week is officially the second-lowest ever recorded ratings for the BBC station, and is close to equalling the lowest weekly rating of 9.1 million, which was posted in May 2017.
Industry contexts: final tasks
1) How does Life Hacks meet the BBC mission statement to Educate, Inform and Entertain?
They interview a range of personalities, offering both information and advice and education to young audiences about their causes. Entertainment aspects stem from the celebrities interviewed, such as Stormzy, which are likely to appeal to young audiences.
2) Read the first five pages of this Ofcom document laying out its regulation of the BBC. Pick out three key points in the summary section.
"leaving creative decisions in the hands of programme-makers, but stretching and challenging the BBC to deliver for all its audiences."
"In most areas, they place tougher requirements on the broadcaster than existed before, as well as safeguarding key areas of delivery. They set a baseline for future performance."
3) Now read what the license framework will seek to do (letters a-h). Which of these points relate to BBC Radio 1 and Life Hacks?
"support social action campaigns on radio"
"require the BBC to reflect the full diversity of the UK"
"secure a more distinctive BBC"
"support a wide range of genres"
4) What do you think are the three most important aspects in the a-h list? Why?
5) Read point 1.9: What do Ofcom plan to review in terms of diversity and audience?
Plans to ensure that all audiences are represented in BBC content and that it reflects the interests and values of people all over the UK.
Read this Guardian interview with BBC 1 Controller Ben Cooper.
6) What is Ben Cooper trying to do with Radio 1?
6) What is Ben Cooper trying to do with Radio 1?
“My focus is to bring new audiences and new ways to the BBC,”
He wants to make Radio 1 like a Netflix for radio.
He wants to make Radio 1 like a Netflix for radio.
7) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?
The 46-year-old is armed with some statistics of his own to illustrate his point. Using figures based on those aged 10 and up, he reckons the most common age of a Radio 1 listener is 18. And for its YouTube channel it is 12- to 17-year-old females. “There is no holy grail of one single digital footprint figure in the industry unfortunately,” he says.
He says that Grimmy is the 'No 1 youth presenter in the UK. He is knocking it out of the ballpark when it comes to connecting with young audiences on a daily basis.'
That viewership numbers are skewed and the method of collecting them is outdated.
8) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?
That viewership numbers are skewed and the method of collecting them is outdated.
8) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?
He comments '“We will play something like 4,000 different tracks a month, commercial radio plays about 400. We need to play hit music to get audiences in to expose them to new music', as well as suggesting radio 1 is meeting the BBC remit to entertain and educate.
9) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?
10) 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.
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