Radio

Research Task

1. What decade did Radio Begin? - The 1920's

2. Name at least 3 different radio platforms (digital, broadcast) -  Digital Radio, Internet, Broadcast

3. Name the company who regulates radio - Ofcom

4. How would you raise a complaint with this regulator? - On their website

5. Who are popular radio presenters? Name 3 - Nick Grimshaw (Radio 1), Roman Kemp (Capital), Jamie Thick-stone (Heart)

6. Name 4 different radio genres - Pop/Adult Contemporary, Rock/Alternative/Indie, Country and Jazz.  

Introduction 

. First Broadcast was in the 1920's

. Media industry was dominated by the BBC until the 1960's when pirate radio became popular.

. BBC Radio - Contains many stations such as Radio 1,2,3,4,5 live and 6 music. The BBC also have 50 regional radio stations broadcasting throughout the UK.

. Commercial and Independent radio - Include classic FM and Absolute.

. Regional Stations - Can be delivered by the BBC as well as commercial and independent radio broadcasters. For example BBC Radio London or Radio Essex.

. DAB - Planet rock and magic are examples f this type of radio stations.

. Community radio and Hospital and student radio

. A radio programmes style and content will be influenced by the station identity and often by the personality of the presenter.

. Programmes are either Broadcasted live or Pre-recorded

. The zoo format is delivered in a spontaneous way E.G. Comic style.

. New Technology helped the radio industry evolve and increase in popularity.

. There are lots of platforms such as DAB, FM Radio, LW, MW, Freeview TV, Online, Mobile and Digital music players.

. Brand identities form house style

. A radio stations target audience can be identified by the music it plays; a station like gold for example. 

. Each station has a different remit, Radio 1's is 'To entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech.'

. Marketing - Radio station market themselves through advertising

. They often use their own stations, official websites and social media channels as platforms to promote forthcoming shows, new presenters, or the general brand identity of the station itself.

. Radio online - Official websites may contain additional content when a pop star is interviewed on Radio 1 there may be exclusive excerpts which are only available online.
This is called convergence.

. Regulation - The radio industry is regulated by OFCOM who also cover the TV industry. 

. Codes and Conventions - They are the 'Language' of the medium. Codes are a system of signs following understood rules while Conventions are ways or format of transmitting these signs E.G. The use of a DJ, Jingles etc.

Technical Codes | Radio 

Words, Sounds, Music, Duration, Location, Editing, Acoustics, Volume, Pitch, Rhythm, Type of Microphone, Mixing and Scheduling.

Symbolic & Cultural Codes | Radio

Accent, Dialogue, Language, Texture, Mode of address, Type of presenter, Use and type of music, Cultural association.