Radio: Introduction

BBC SOUNDS

Why does the article suggest that ‘on the face of it, BBC Radio is in rude health’?

• It has 1/2 the national market with dozens of stations reaching 34+ million people a week

What percentage of under-35s use the BBC iPlayer catch-up radio app?

• 3%

What is BBC Sounds?

• a new app that merges radio and the digital age, offering on demand services and targeted radio shows. 

How do audiences listen to radio content in the digital age?

• Through podcasts, and radio shows that deal with their interests rather than the miscellaneous content on mainstream radio shows.

What does Jason Phipps suggest is important for radio and podcast content aimed at younger audiences?

• It has to have a warmer, narrative-led journey. The audience prefers personal anecdotal content, that pushes boundaries and confronts 'uncomfortable' topics rather than informative, scientific less personal stories from a general perspective.

Why does the BBC need to stay relevant?

• In order to fulfill it's remit of providing informative, educational and entertaining content for diverse audiences around the UK. 

What content does the BBC Sounds app offer?

• Podcasts, on-demand content and content that deals with unconventional or seldom talked about topics.

How does it link to BBC Radio?

• It offers live shows and content on demand.

What are the criticisms of the BBC Sounds app?

• The search bar isn't 'sensitive' enough and there's not enough options

Two new podcasts were launched alongside the BBC Sounds app. What are they and why might they appeal to younger audiences?

• End of Days, and Beyond Today. They offer information on key events and also niche events that crime enthusiasts would be interested in, younger generations are increasingly interested in true crime stories and with shows such as Buzzfeed Unsolved becoming hits due to educating teens on crimes and events that are before their lifetime, these fit right into the zeitgeist and therefore may appeal to the younger audiences. 

ShoutOut Network

What is the ShoutOut Network?

• A London-based podcast network, that offers a platform to BAME and underrepresented voices. 

What podcasts are offered by the ShoutOut Network?

• Melanin Millenials [that focuses in socio-political issues for millenials], Mostly Lit [a focus on pop culture and literature], and other art based topics such as comedians Two Fools Talking, music aficionados Artistic State of Mind and sport based podcast Top 4mation. 

What audience do they reach?

• 20,000 unique monthly listeners; 92% are Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

What are the 2015 statistics on podcast listening in the UK?

• 3.7 million adults listen to podcasts [6.5% of the Adult population] with 57% listening on smartphones with 47% whilst commuting and 34% whilst 'doing nothing' 

The article suggests podcasts are ‘picking up more steam’. Do you think podcasts the future of radio?

• I think that podcasts are the future of radio, we as a generation have grown accustomed to personalised content and content that is available at the click of a button. We prefer to find radio shows and content that is topic specific, and specific to our personal interests without added 'fluff' per say. Due to this, and the rise in technological advancements that leads to radios being 'pushed out' of cars and conventional places in exchange for aux chords and podcasts. This evidences the idea that younger audience finds on demand, personalised content more appealing due to it's accessibility and topic specific content that people can choose what they want to hear and when they want to hear it- something traditional radio falls short of.