DRAFT:

My argument to the BBCs newsbeat is that they are trying to include younger audiences in order to stay relevant. By discussing different topics that are relevant to young people like the cost of living issue. They use upbeat music and young presenters to keep their audiences entertained instead of boring them. However their target audience (15 – 29) isn’t being reached. Statistics show that the mean age of listeners are 30 even though it is targeted to teens and young adults.

The BBC created a news program called ‘newsbeat’ which was introduced in 1973 and launched on commercial radio stations across the UK which was different to the typical news. Newsbeat can be heard on BBC radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Xtra and BBC Asian Network at 12:45 and 17:45 for 15 minutes. The BBCs main target audience for newsbeat are for ages between 15 – 29 and they are active with their audiences letting them call in or message them about their problems that relates to the topic they are reporting on. A quote from the head of BBC radio 1 “Radio 1 is about giving young people a voice, thoughts, concerns and attitudes on what its like to be young in the UK in 2022”

The BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster, funded by the TV licence fees. It includes no advertisements and focuses to educate people on what is going on. Radio broadcasting is regulated by Ofcom which focuses on content including use of language, impartiality and protection of under 18s. Because Radio has moved online and to podcasts, regulation has become more stricter.

Newsbeat is a fifteen-minute news programme on BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and the Asian Network, transmitting live over digital audio broadcast frequencies during most weekdays at 12:45 and 17:45, and shorter bulletins throughout the day at thirty-minute intervals. It is produced by BBC News but contrasts other BBC programmes by providing news specifically designed for an audience of teenagers and young adults.

Broadcasting since 1973, Newsbeat promises its younger listeners local and worldwide news with energetic presenters who ensure complex issues become easily accessible for their target audience by using informal speech, interactive games, and audience participation.

RADIO CSP 1 – NEWSBEAT

Newsbeat is the BBC’s radio news programme broadcast on Radio 1. Newsbeat is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC’s other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically younger audience of teenagers and early twentysomethings.

Extra Examples: Newsbeat is an example of a transitional media product which reflects changes in the contemporary media landscape. Newsbeat is both a traditional radio programme with regular, scheduled broadcast times, but it is also available online after broadcast.

Media Industries

The BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster, funded via the TV license fee. No advertisements. Focuses on informative and educate. Large Company. Also broadcast on BBC radio 1 extra, a digital radio channel reflecting popularity of converged / merged online technology. Aimed at a more urban black audience, reflecting BBC’s remit to provide content for a diverse audience. Reaching and connecting with anyone.

There might be a voice ident where the presenter mentions the name of the broadcast and the current time: “This is Newsbeat at 3.45pm”. The intro could be in the form of a bulletin – a list of the main stories which will be featured in the broadcast. / The Newsbeat producers responded to this challenge by serving content on their website, YouTube channel, Twitter account and Instagram profile. Taking a multi-platform approach ensures the product remains relevant to its audience.

Media Audiences

Stuart Hall argued producers encoded meaning and values into their texts which was then decoded by the audience, but our reactions are shaped by our individual frameworks of knowledge. / Newsbeat had to compete against traditional print media and the conventions of roll news channels, but mobile-first audiences are now learning about important events through what is trending on their social networks and notifications of breaking news flashing on their screens.

Possible Questions

1. Ideology can be defined as a collection of values and beliefs.
2. To what extent do media products target audiences by constructing an ideological view of the world?
3. Identify two strategies or techniques used by Radio 1 to attract a youth audience Explain the reason for each

10 facts

1. John Reith was the BBC’s first general manager when it was set up as the British Broadcasting Company in 1922 and he was its first Director-General when it became a public corporation in 1927.
2. Broadcasting House was the BBC’s first purpose-built home for radio broadcasting.
3.  the largest broadcaster in the world by number of employees, employing over 22,000 staff in total, of whom approximately 19,000 are in public-sector broadcasting.
4. it is widely thought that the name “Newsbeat” was taken from the Radio Caroline news service of the same name, as was the concept of short bulletins on the half-hour.
5. Roisin Hastie Radio 1 Newsbeat interview (Breakfast newsreader)
6. Pria Rai (Afternoon newsreader and programme presenter)
7. Newsbeat is notable for the distinctive musical imaging it has used for most of its history. At first, this was a just jingle at the beginning of the bulletin, but in the late 1990s this expanded to music throughout.
8. The BBC was officially created on 18 October 1922.
9. Reith wrote in his diary on applying for the BBC job – “I know nothing whatsoever about broadcasting”, but then very few people did. It was so new and few guessed how it would evolve to become so compelling a part of everyone’s life.
10. This started in 1923, costing 10 shillings, then split 50/50 between the BBC and the Government.
11. Radio coverage was patchy in the UK, securing 94% reach across the UK.
12. Women over 21 got the vote in 1928, and the BBC created The Week in Parliament, to help women navigate their early understanding of the world of politics.

Justification

Radio xtra is a digital radio channel reflecting popularity of converged / merged online technology that reflects BBC’s remit to provide content for a more wider and diverse audience, so that they can satisfy their audience by not targeting a preferred section of the popularity.

The media audiences are targeted in different ways as different podcasts, news, songs are specifically trying to target a certain age range. They have different categories for what kind of music you would like to listen to such as music from the 50s, 60s all the way to 2000s.

The BBC should help everyone learn about different subjects in ways they will find accessible, engaging, inspiring and challenging. The BBC should provide specialist educational content to help support learning for children and teenagers across the United Kingdom. It should encourage people to explore new subjects and participate in new activities through partnerships with educational, sporting and cultural institutions.

The layout of newsbeat is set up in categories to be easily differentiated to the public for their personal preference. Targeting younger audiences as it is a social media page, non gender specific.

Questions that may come up-

• How is the BBC regulated / organised / controlled?
• How does the BBC attract new audiences (when there is so much choice?)
• How does Newsbeat entertain, inform, educate?
• What would Lord John Reith think about Newsbeat?
• Did Newsbeat only develop because of the changes in new technologies?
• How does Newsbeat appeal to a young / younger audience?
• How does Newsbeat use new technologies?

Some facts to know

1. John Reith was the BBC’s first general manager when it was set up as the British Broadcasting Company in 1922 and he was its first Director-General when it became a public corporation in 1927.
2. Broadcasting House was the BBC’s first purpose-built home for radio broadcasting.
3.  the largest broadcaster in the world by number of employees, employing over 22,000 staff in total, of whom approximately 19,000 are in public-sector broadcasting.
4. it is widely thought that the name “Newsbeat” was taken from the Radio Caroline news service of the same name, as was the concept of short bulletins on the half-hour.
5. Roisin Hastie Radio 1 Newsbeat interview (Breakfast newsreader)
6. Pria Rai (Afternoon newsreader and programme presenter)
7. Newsbeat is notable for the distinctive musical imaging it has used for most of its history. At first, this was a just jingle at the beginning of the bulletin, but in the late 1990s this expanded to music throughout.
8. The BBC was officially created on 18 October 1922.
9. Reith wrote in his diary on applying for the BBC job – “I know nothing whatsoever about broadcasting”, but then very few people did. It was so new and few guessed how it would evolve to become so compelling a part of everyone’s life.
10. This started in 1923, costing 10 shillings, then split 50/50 between the BBC and the Government.
11. Radio coverage was patchy in the UK, securing 94% reach across the UK.
12. Women over 21 got the vote in 1928, and the BBC created The Week in Parliament, to help women navigate their early understanding of the world of politics.

i understand that newsbeat mainly targets younger audiences but i argue that it should try harder to focus more on how it targets people.

RADIO CSP 1 – NEWSBEAT

Newsbeat is the BBC’s radio news programme broadcast on Radio 1. Newsbeat is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC’s other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically younger audience of teenagers and early twentysomethings.

Extra Examples: Newsbeat is an example of a transitional media product which reflects changes in the contemporary media landscape. Newsbeat is both a traditional radio programme with regular, scheduled broadcast times, but it is also available online after broadcast.

Media Industries

The BBC is a Public Service Broadcaster, funded via the TV license fee. No advertisements. Focuses on informative and educate. Large Company. Also broadcast on BBC radio 1 extra, a digital radio channel reflecting popularity of converged / merged online technology. Aimed at a more urban black audience, reflecting BBC’s remit to provide content for a diverse audience. Reaching and connecting with anyone.

There might be a voice ident where the presenter mentions the name of the broadcast and the current time: “This is Newsbeat at 3.45pm”. The intro could be in the form of a bulletin – a list of the main stories which will be featured in the broadcast. / The Newsbeat producers responded to this challenge by serving content on their website, YouTube channel, Twitter account and Instagram profile. Taking a multi-platform approach ensures the product remains relevant to its audience.

Media Audiences

Stuart Hall argued producers encoded meaning and values into their texts which was then decoded by the audience, but our reactions are shaped by our individual frameworks of knowledge. / Newsbeat had to compete against traditional print media and the conventions of roll news channels, but mobile-first audiences are now learning about important events through what is trending on their social networks and notifications of breaking news flashing on their screens.

Possible Questions

1. Explain how historical contexts influence how audiences respond to media industries. You should refer to the close study Newsbeat to support your answer.
2. To what extent is the BBC regulated.

10 facts

1. John Reith was the BBC’s first general manager when it was set up as the British Broadcasting Company in 1922 and he was its first Director-General when it became a public corporation in 1927.
2. Broadcasting House was the BBC’s first purpose-built home for radio broadcasting.
3.  the largest broadcaster in the world by number of employees, employing over 22,000 staff in total, of whom approximately 19,000 are in public-sector broadcasting.
4. it is widely thought that the name “Newsbeat” was taken from the Radio Caroline news service of the same name, as was the concept of short bulletins on the half-hour.
5. Roisin Hastie Radio 1 Newsbeat interview (Breakfast newsreader)
6. Pria Rai (Afternoon newsreader and programme presenter)
7. Newsbeat is notable for the distinctive musical imaging it has used for most of its history. At first, this was a just jingle at the beginning of the bulletin, but in the late 1990s this expanded to music throughout.
8. The BBC was officially created on 18 October 1922.
9. Reith wrote in his diary on applying for the BBC job – “I know nothing whatsoever about broadcasting”, but then very few people did. It was so new and few guessed how it would evolve to become so compelling a part of everyone’s life.
10. This started in 1923, costing 10 shillings, then split 50/50 between the BBC and the Government.
11. Radio coverage was patchy in the UK, securing 94% reach across the UK.
12. Women over 21 got the vote in 1928, and the BBC created The Week in Parliament, to help women navigate their early understanding of the world of politics.

Justification

Radio xtra is a digital radio channel reflecting popularity of converged / merged online technology that reflects BBC’s remit to provide content for a more wider and diverse audience, so that they can satisfy their audience by not targeting a preferred section of the popularity.

Danielle Dwyer, editor of BBC Radio One’s Newsbeat.

• it is a traditional radio show when it comes to timing and the layout of the show,
• however, it seems to have a more progressive and audience as some of the stories they cover such as mental health are targeted at a particular audience.
• for example, a younger audience (used to try encouraging them to listen to news)
• you can also access it after it has aired
•  around 3.3 million listeners
• More 15 to 24-year-olds (34% of them) get their news from Newsbeat than from any other BBC TV or radio outlet
• Newsbeat delivers its reports and stories with a very distinct style. The producers hope to appeal to their listeners by framing the content through an informal tone, quick overviews, upbeat links, and audience participation.
• there is opportunity for audience interaction

news beat is traditional media.

Newsbeat is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC’s other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically younger audience of teenagers and early twenties

broadcasted across many BBC radios sites such as radio 1 radio 1 extra and Asia

Danielle Dwyer is the editor for news beat

and BBC news is the producer

10th September 1973 -present

BBC Values

• AUDIENCES are at the heart of everything we do
• CREATIVITY is the lifeblood of our organisation
• TRUST is the foundation of the BBC – we’re independent, impartial and truthful
• We RESPECT each other – we’re kind, and we champion inclusivity
• We are ACCOUNTABLE and deliver work of the highest quality
• We are ONE BBC – we collaborate, learn and grow together

News beat is a shortened version of the main news, its a run down with facts and information made short for listeners. It lasts about 15 minutes and typically comes onto the radio at 12.45 and 5.45 pm.

Possible exam questions

Identify two strategies or techniques used by Radio 1 to attract a youth audience.
Explain the reason for each

Explain how the social, political and cultural contexts of media influence how audiences may interpret the same media in different ways.

Ideology can be defined as a collection of values and beliefs.
To what extent do media products target audiences by constructing an ideological view of the world?

Explain how recent media technologies have changed patterns of distribution and box marketing.

Explain how media products can be said to have cultural and social significance

‘The relationship between producers and audiences has changed over time.’

Data

10th September 1973

Mean age of listeners is 30 even though targeted to teens and early 20s

Roughly 9 million listeners in a week first quarter of 2020

Reception theory including Hall

Stuart Hall argued producers encoded meaning and values into their texts which was then decoded by the audience, but our reactions are shaped by our individual frameworks of knowledge. You should also consider the different modes of consumption, especially the ways we might listen to the radio.

Hall’s encoding / decoding model of communication offers three hypothetical positions – the dominant, oppositional, and negotiated readings.

 Cultivation theory including Gerbner

when listening to newsbeat on the BBCs website you have to log in therefore the BBC can collect data to know how many people listens to what they play and also get a mean average of how many people are listening.

Taking a multi-platform approach ensures the product remains relevant to its audience so is on platforms such as youtube twitter and Tik Tok.

my argument

I want to argue that the BBCs newsbeat needs a new approach to a new target audience due to statistics.

Aimed at an audience of teenagers to early twenties, however median age of listeners is around 30

Launched on 10th Sep 1973

Transmitted live over digital audio broadcast most weekdays at 12:45 and 17:45. The show can also be watched online with a BBC account, with episodes watchable for up to thirty days after they originally aired.

Its funded by the tax from the government, the money from certain tax goes to the BBC for education.

Broadcast on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1 Xtra and the BBC Asian Network

02/11/22 – Show had a story on James Corden stealing Ricky Gervais’ joke – popular story that can be found on social media which may impact amount of listeners as they may have already seen the story.

Presenters/Reporters on the show have been told to address listeners as if they were “talking to a friend” according the the programme’s editor. Adds a friendly feel to the programme which may entice listeners. They have also been told to steer clear of polysyllabic words which allows for listeners to not have to pay as much attention when listening.

How does Newsbeat appeal to a young / younger audience?

• I want to argue that BBC Newsbeat is attempting to stay relevant through appealing to younger audiences. This can be seen through a number of things; young presenters, active social media presence, and focus on stories that interest / affect young people.
• Statistics suggest that they are failing to do so.

Media Industries

BBC is a PSB. focus is on informing and educating.

BBC is a large company with over 22000 staff, offices.

Newsbeat is the BBC’s radio news programme broadcast on Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network. 

The fifteen-minute Newsbeat programme is broadcast at 12:45 and 17:45 during the week on Radio 1

Newsbeat is a multi-platform media project. It can be accessed on their website, on twitter, and on Instagram.

BBC newsbeat – very active on social media – twitter and Instagram

Media Audiences

Newsbeat is produced by BBC News but differs from the BBC’s other news programmes in its remit to provide news tailored for a specifically younger audience of teenagers and early twentysomethings.

There was 9 million listeners in the first week of 2022 – shows how they reach a wide audience.

Even though their target audience is young, their average listener is 30 years old.

Newsbeat is broadcast on BBC Radio 1, targeting 15–30-year-olds who enjoy chart-based music

Majority of newsbeat hosts are in their 20s

Deliver news in fairly simple terms – easy to understand

Focus on celebrity content

Many news stories on things that affect young people:

for instance, on results day, they always run a story on the results

Plus, although the BBC is neutral, newsbeat covers things that might interest more left-leaning individuals, for instance, LGBT community.

Newsbeat bulletins are short – 2-3 minutes – assumption is that young people dont have the attention span for anything longer.

Newsbeat is a fifteen-minute news programme on BBC Radio 1, being transmitted live over digital audio broadcast frequencies during most weekdays at 12:45 and 17:45. It is produced by BBC News but contrasts other BBC programmes by providing news specifically designed for an audience of teenagers and young adults.

and edited by Danielle Dwyer.

It is recorded in the Broadcasting House in London and was originally launched on the 10th of September, 1973.

Potential Questions

_{Identify two strategies or techniques used by Radio 1 to attract a youth audience.
Explain the reason for each.
[4 marks]}

_{“Media audiences always respond to media products in the way that producers intended.”
To what extent do you agree with this statement?
[20 marks]}

_{Explain how historical contexts influence how audiences respond to media products.
[9 marks]}

^{‘The relationship between producers and audiences has changed over time.’
How far do you agree with this statement?
[20 marks]}

Data

The producers hope to appeal to their listeners by framing the content through an informal tone, quick overviews, upbeat links, and audience participation.

According to Ofcom, public service broadcasters are tasked with “delivering impartial and trusted news, UK-originated programmes and distinctive content”.

BBC Trust claims that Radio 1’s target audience is 15-29 year olds and it also provides some programmes for younger teenagers. However, the Radio Joint Audience Research suggests that the average listener is 30 years old.

According to Statista, Radio 1 reached just under 9 million listeners every week in the first quarter of 2020.

My Argument

I want to argue that the BBC’s strategy of creating news that is more appealing and accessible