Introduction to radio

Read this Guardian feature on the launch of BBC Sounds and answer the following questions:

1) Why does the article suggest that ‘on the face of it, BBC Radio is in rude health’?
The BBC 'is in rude health' because it was founded almost a century ago and it had been based around an era of broadcasting that was designed towards a comprehensive offering: a shared listening - and the viewing - experience. However because of the increase in popularity of subscriptions such as Netflix and Spotify people no longer need to listen to a playlist or a schedule that does not perfectly suit their needs.

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

3% of under 35yr olds use the BBC iPlayer catch-up radio app

3) What is BBC Sounds?

“new app and website that formally launches on Tuesday”. It will bring radio livestreams, catchup services, music mixes and podcasts together under one roof.

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

"Convincing people to break their existing habits and put their trust in a BBC-only app will not be easy. Spotify has started to include a large number of podcasts – including BBC material – directly in its app and a growing number of people listen to the radio via voice assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa. Although there is the prospect of commercial radio being added later, industry voices have raised concerns that the app is a solution in search of a non-existent problem."

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

He says that the platform is very important to younger audiences as they offer stories to the public and is a more personal experience as the app personalizes the content to specific users.

6) Why does the BBC need to stay relevant?

“The BBC is really important and valued by licence fee [payers] it’s got to continue to be relevant. “Otherwise you leave the BBC set in aspic and increasingly irrelevant. If you believe in the BBC you have to let [it] flourish in spaces where it can have a greater public value than market impact. That’s what we seek to do: be relevant.”

Now read this review of the BBC Sounds app.

7) What content does the BBC Sounds app offer?

“BBC Sounds for anything audio (apart from long-form audio books). Music, news, drama, documentaries, true crime, comedy – if you want it in your ears, you start with the orange button.”

8) How does it link to BBC Radio?

The app lets you click to any live BBC radio station whilst also offering you other forms of listening from music to documentaries.

9) What are the criticisms of the BBC Sounds app?

"Sounds is easy to use, though I found the programme information a little tricky to access, and the search – as ever with the BBC – isn’t sensitive enough. (Looking for the new 5 Live podcast about the Waco siege, I typed in “5 Live Waco”, but only got old programmes). My other main problem is there isn’t enough content. Sounds needs to feel as packed as Netflix in order to properly work."

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

The two new podcasts launched are called Beyond Today and End of Days. They might appeal to a younger audience as it talks about news and politics and attempts to educate their audience.

ShoutOut Network

Read this Huffington Post feature on the Shout Out Network and answer the following questions:

1) What is the ShoutOut Network?

The ShoutOut Network is a growing podcast network that launched in 2015 with their flagship show Melanin Millennials, which focuses on socio-political issues for millennials.

2) What podcasts are offered by the ShoutOut Network?

A diverse range of podcasts. They have seen continual growth to their roster of conversational shows adding pop-culture literature podcast Mostly Lit, carefree comedy duo Two Fools Talking, theatre and music aficionados Artistic State of Mind and brand new football show Top 4mation. The network has also produced a serial history podcast Unarchived History that documents the history of London and soon other key areas of the United Kingdom.

3) What audience do they reach?

“reaching more than 20,000 listeners per month, of which 92% are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities”.

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

According to the Online Journalism Blog, RAJAR provided data that from autumn 2015, 3.7 million adults listen to podcasts which equate to around 6.5% of the adult population. It also adds that 57% of the people use them on smartphones, while their preferred activity to listening to podcasts was 47% while commuting and 34% relaxing or doing nothing.

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

I think that due to the increasing popularity of podcast they'll eventually become the future of radio, as they provide live and featured content specifically for the audience whilst also allowing interaction through social media.