Radio; Life Hacks Blog

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?

It suggests that the 'Life Hacks' audiences are into specific content that revolves around certain things, this means that their audience for the younger generation.

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. 

They have topics that appeal to a youth audience as they have guest that only the younger people would be into such as stromzy. 

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?

The content that 'Life Hacks' provide would be politics affecting them, advice, and common intrests podcast. They share a variety of podcasts available for people. 

2) Which of the five central purposes in the BBC's remit does Life Hacks cover?

The five central purposes of the BBC remit that covers 'Life Hacks' would be supporting different forms of learning, diverse communities being involved, educating their audience by providing advice, entertainment through music, creative art forms and reflecting UK culture.

3) Read the history of Radio 1 on page 2. Why was the launch of Radio 1 both significant and controversial?

The launch of Radio 1 was significant because it was met to meet the aims for a younger audience however controversial because many popular radio station were becoming privatised. 

4) Do you consider Life Hacks to be a 'distinctive offering' that helps the BBC to fulfil its public service broadcasting remit? Why?

I personally believe that Life Hacks is to be an 'distinctive offering' that helps the BBC because it widens their audience in issues that help included younger people in understanding the world around them.  

5) Look at the figures on page 3 of the factsheet. How much does the BBC spend on Radio 1?

The BBC spends 1.6% of their budget on BBC radio 1.

6) How has new technology impacted on radio?

New technology means that there are different ways in which people are consuming entertainment and other things this means that different markets can capitalise on this rise of digital media to attain a wider audience.

7) What has Radio 1 done in response to the changes new technology have had on radio?

Radio 1 has added more a visual and informative through becoming more active on their social media and using those platforms to engage with their audience. 

8) What are the audiences targeted by Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra? What is their actual audience?

Radio 1 is targeted towards young people however their actual audience in their early 30s.

9) Applying Gerbner's Cultivation theory, how might Life Hacks influence its listeners (or 'cultivate' certain views)?

Using Gerbner's Cultivation theory Life Hacks can influence their listeners through breaking down information on certain social, political or economical issue so that their audience can have these conversations which widens their knowledge.

10) Applying Hall's Reception theory, how might different audiences 'read' Life Hacks? What pleasures or reactions might different audiences have to the programme?

Using Hall's Reception theory different audiences can interpret Life Hacks differently this means that 1) Personal identity means that audiences can listen to issues that they personally understand or know of people who have gone through this. 2) Surveillance this means that audience are their to listen and learn what is going on and educate themselves whilst  through different forms of media and expanding as a person. 3) Diversification this means different forms of content is available such as music and expanding their liking through visual arts.  

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?

The reviewer suggested that Life Hacks podcasts and content rely on educating the youth on political issues.

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?

The statistics shown is in regards to the audience decline ratings for Radio 1. This means that since may they have lost 200,000 listeners and how only cater to a monthly audience of 16 million.

Industry contexts: final tasks

1) How does Life Hacks meet the BBC mission statement to Educate, Inform and Entertain? 

Life hacks meets BBC of 'Educate, inform and entertain' because they have a varity of content available that is for everyone.

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.

- Ofcome's job is to keep the BBC in check with each programme they put out and when.

- The BBC is the UK'S biggest media outlet that puts out both tv shows/movies and radio.

- They set out for their audiences needs thisbmens they deliver to the royal charter.

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?

One point that relates to both Radio 1 and Life Hacks is that both reflect their agendas to support and educate their audiences through a wider range of media.

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

The three most important aspects in the A-H list is diversity because it provides inclusion and more people to understand. Another would be spreading awareness on current affairs and issues that affect society.

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

Ofcome plans on reviewing the diversity and audience sectors because they want to understand what their audiences want from the BBC.

Read this Guardian interview with BBC 1 Controller Ben Cooper.

6) What is Ben Cooper trying to do with Radio 1?

Ben Cooper is trying to widen their audience ranges this means that changing or adding different forms of media.

7) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?

He argues that the BBC is doing better with a younger audience and this isn't backed up with the statistics as it's wrong.

8) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?

He suggests that Radio 1 is different and innovative from commercial radio because it firstly captures a wider audience and a range of contents available.

9) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?

This is because as the digitalisation of forms of media is increasingly popular this means that capitalising their audiences on YouTube or other platform will widen their audience range.

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.

In my opinion, i think it should be left to commercial broadcasters because privatising commercial broadcasters to attract a younger audience is a hit or miss because it depends on what content rather than having is specific which the Radio 1 in linked with. However, trying to change the BBC remit to target a younger audience is possible it will be hard for the younger generations to become active on these forms because of other companies already doing that and they're familiar with that such as Spodify and Apple music, Amazon.