- Newsbeat is a Public Service Broadcast (PSB) – The policy and standards board confront you if you break a bylaw.
- It is a multimedia production; there are stories written on the website as well as radios to tune into with video.
- Newsbeat is an example of a traditional media product which reflects changes
Media Audiences
- Newsbeat has its BBC News product with bulletins that are broadcast on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Xtra and BBC Asian Network
How do they appeal to the younger audience?
- Target audience of younger people – teenagers and ‘twentysomethings’ [16-25 years old]
- 84% are 12 – 15 ages
- Not specific to either gender
- The fifteen-minute Newsbeat programme is broadcast at 12:45 and 17:45 during the week
- Newsbeat allows traditional broadcast times as well as being available viewing after the broadcast, which is relevant to the target audience who consume media online mainly.
The target audience is for young people, so it is interesting to note that the programme only lasts 15 minutes which is relevant as the younger generations consume media in short amounts otherwise they may not be interested in watching. Also the times the radio start is relevant as they both begin afternoon which is relevant as it shows how the radio is targeted to a younger audience, an audience that stereotypically do not like waking in the morning.
Social Media Marketing and Gen Z attention span apparently “the average attention span of someone born into Gen Z is about 8 seconds”
- Changed their sound and brought in younger hosts to relate to the audience more and feature more slang language
- Tries to show relatable stories that are more interesting, creative and exciting
- Less formal English speaking
- Using more social media platforms – new technology for the younger audience to interact with
- The stories Newsbeat include stories on things like TikTok, education and celebrities such as Stormzy and Kanye West. Clearly appealing to a younger audience.
Media Industries
- Newsbeat was launched on 10 September 1973 in response to the launch of a network of commercial radio stations across the UK which supplied a news service very different from the style of traditional BBC News
REGULATION – The question subject
- Since Newsbeat is targeted at a much younger audience, it arises the question about the regulations of the news radio and how different are the news reported on this radio. So even though the news being reported may be different to the regular radio it doesn’t really matter as they are feeding content to the younger audience in a way that still benefits them, it may be a different radio but it is still owned and regulated by the same people.
- As such it has it’s own governing body and is regulated by OFCOM. It’s the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom
Mention:
Gerbener
Stuart Hall – Appeals to younger peoples dominant ideology to maintain interest for its target audience. Younger audience have different consumption patterns so the use of online streaming and websites appeals to this form of consumption.
Preferred reading – there is a certain understanding and idea Newsbeat wants the younger audience to take away
Possible Questions:
- How does the BBC attract new audiences with radios like Newsbeat
- Assess how Newsbeat appeals to modern media audiences
- How does Newsbeat appeal to younger audiences
- How is Newsbeat regulated
Facts about Newsbeat
- BBC is funded by TV licences from the public through hypothecated tax
- Newsbeat is a Public Service Broadcast (PSB)
- Target audience of younger people – teenagers and ‘twentysomethings’ – 84% are 12 – 15 ages
- The fifteen-minute Newsbeat programme is broadcast at 12:45 and 17:45 during the week
- John Reith was the BBC’s first general manager when it was set up as the British Broadcasting Company in 1922
- Newsbeat is also available to watch online afterwards
- The stories Newsbeat include stories on things like TikTok, education and celebrities such as Stormzy and Kanye West. Clearly appealing to a younger audience.
- Regulated by Ofcom.
- Ethos of the BBC – To educate, Inform, Entertain
- How new technologies are used to upkeep with modern social and physical advancements