BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat

 Newsbeat analysis

Use BBC Sounds to listen to Radio 1. Select a Newsbeat bulletin (8am or 12.45pm are good options) and then answer the following questions: 

1) What news stories were featured in the bulletin you listened to?

They talk about police finding Jay Slaytors body, they believe the 19 year old died after a fall. Also news on how someone was able to shoot Donald Trump.

2) How does Newsbeat appeal to a youth audience?

The news is presented very fast so that it is easier to listen with a short attention span as well as the fact it can be listened to anywhere as a radio.

3) How might Newsbeat help fulfil the BBC's responsibilities as a public service broadcaster? 

It fulfils the entertain and educate aspects by informing listeners of news quickly so that they can enjoy and catch up with what's happening around them.

Media Factsheet #246: BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat

Read Factsheet #246 BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat. You'll need your Greenford google login to access it. Answer the following questions:

1) How is the history and launch of Radio 1 summarised in the factsheet? If you studied this as part of GCSE Media you will already know much of this.

For many years BBC  was the only radio station that people in the UK could legally listen to. However, this monopoly was challenged in the 1960s when pirate radio stations started illegally transmitting commercial programming via ships in international waters and on land. The BBC did not attract may younger people and it didn't meet the criteria's of Inform, educate and entertain so they release radio 1.

2) Look at page 3 of the factsheet. How is Radio 1 attempting to appeal to its 15-29 age demographic? 

It aims to entertain and engage young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech. This includes introducing new styles and emerging artists.

3) What did young people used to get from radio? Focus on audience pleasures / Uses & Gratifications here (see top of second column on page 3). 

It shows 54% use Spotify to access radio. Audience pleasures of personal identity to connect themselves to popular culture products. Surveillance and information from gaining an insight into the world beyond their own experience, relationships, romance, politics.

4) How has Radio 1 and Newsbeat in particular diversified its content for the digital age? 

The BBC tries to appeal to young people with its content, There is an expectation that the news it provides for young people

will be a reliable source of accurate reporting in the context of rising concerns about fake-news.

5) How is Newsbeat constructed to appeal to audiences? 

-Multiple voices, regional and national accents; Welsh, Irish, Scottish.

-Code-switching from formal to informal is used in order to target and appeal to different demographics.

-Simplifying of language and content.

-Personalisation and anecdotes.

- Use of sound beds/effects: also known as imagining, that run underneath the voices. These are used to maintain interest throughout the broadcast.

- Recorded interviews with diegetic sound.

6) What are the three key ideas from David Hesmondhalgh and which apply to Radio 1 Newsbeat?

His ideas are Cultural Industries are made to create profit, content production is made by ‘symbol creators’ and the internet has not challenged the centralised power of providers or allowed audiences to challenge content. Only the last 2 apply to Radio 1 Newsbeat.

7) Now look at Curran and Seaton. What are their key ideas and can they be applied to Radio 1 Newsbeat? 

Their ideas are that the media is concentrated in the hands of powerful commercial media giants and culture is controlled by social elites. They cannot be applied.

8) What key idea for Livingstone and Lunt is on the factsheet and how does it link to the CSP?

Their key idea are that media can have a citizen- based approach to regulation. This links to the CSP as the BBC is an example of a citizen-based approach to regulation.

9) How can we apply Stuart Hall's Reception theory to Radio 1 Newsbeat?

Stuart Hall's theory can be applied of media producers encode media products in a way that they think will appeal

to them as the BBC is striving to attract young audiences through its content, but faces stiff competition from other platforms that offer more appealing content.

10) Choose one other audience theory on the factsheet and explain how it links to Radio 1 Newsbeat.

David Gauntlet's identity theory links to Radio 1 Newsbeat as they offers a range of content that represents different class, racial, gender and age identities. This could reinforce or challenge identities as well as give them a role model.

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.

-BBC must fulfil mission and public purposes in new Charter, held accountable by independent regulator.

-Licence and performance measures designed for BBC's success.

-Enhancing BBC identity with original productions & diverse music to serve UK audiences.

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?

I think C of BBC ensures more unique content, with original shows and music diversity and D of protecting arts, music, religious shows; higher quotas on BBC One, BBC Two. Comedy safeguarded.

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

I believe f and g are the most important as BBC supporting diverse genres like drama, comedy, music helps them build and even keep an audience  as well as that equal BBC program funding and commissions nationwide boosts economies.

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

its popular peak time shows. The review will ask what audiences expect from the BBC to  

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

There is a lot for the licence fee however