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?
In my view the content that Life Hacks talks about are meant for young adults. Age range would be from 16-25. This suggests that the audience is interested in contemporary and hard-hitting topics which directly affect their futures. The BBC wants to attract in the younger generation by offering them exclusive content using industry-leading tech.
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.
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.
As I said, the BBC wants to make the average viewer much younger than it is today. The BBC is an old and established PSB who are typically wired to cater towards the elderly part of the demographic. "inform, educate and entertain' - I think Life Hacks does well to deliver on that. It provides entertainment with fun topics such as creativity, one can be educated via the many life stories that are told and you can be informed via the podcast reviewing and relating to current affairs.
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?
It explores advice for certain adolescent issues and situations.
2) Which of the five central purposes in the BBC's remit does Life Hacks cover?
This shows that LH is a new and interactive platform where young people can share and listen to other stories. It;s distinctive because of the unique structure of the podcasts. They centralise around one topic. This may interest different people therefore having a wider appeal.
3) Read the history of Radio 1 on page 2. Why was the launch of Radio 1 both significant and controversial?
- Radio 1 allowed young people in the 60s to get news, weather, music and entertainment in one place. This battled with the pirate radio stations at the time, to which the young people were more accustomed to. Many questioned the BBC's decision to promote pop music was wrong as it didn't fit in with their PSB remits.
4) Do you consider Life Hacks to be a 'distinctive offering' that helps the BBC to fulfil its public service broadcasting remit? Why?
Yes because it ticks all the boxes. Offers specific advice on adolescent topics. It brings in young people by the masses and in return makes the BBC seem more 'down with the kids'. It educates them on what things can pop up when growing up, it can inform them on how to cope with them and also divert their minds by entertaining them with music/talks with guests or hosts.
5) Look at the figures on page 3 of the factsheet. How much does the BBC spend on Radio 1?
£1.6 million
6) How has new technology impacted on radio?
New tech has given the opportunities for most radio companies to expand their brand and increase their average listeners. It's a simple fact of numbers. If you are on a platform that has a a lot more reach, chances are that you will thrive, and with the unique approach Life Hacks have taken, it's ringing true.
7) What has Radio 1 done in response to the changes new technology have had on radio?
They have had to make their Live Lounge service more interactive and social than ever before.
8) What are the audiences targeted by Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra? What is their actual audience?
Radio 1: They have a median age of 30 so they're not really that old. They have more female and ABC1 listeners. 90% are white.
1Extra: teens, younger people. Ethnic minorities. More male than female. ABC1-C2DE. High reach to BAME listeners.
9) Applying Gerbner's Cultivation theory, how might Life Hacks influence its listeners (or 'cultivate' certain views)?
When the advice about adolescent scenarios are given out, chances are that the more impressionable minds are more likely to act upon them and take their advice. They may have not known anything about most topics but the listeners are given a new standard of living.
10) Applying Hall's Reception theory, how might different audiences 'read' Life Hacks? What pleasures or reactions might different audiences have to the programme?
The preferred reading is that the listener takes their advice as constructive and uses that to improve their lives or to prepare/be educated on certain topics. The negotiated reading could be that the advice is somewhat useful but doesn't apply to the listeners current situation. The oppositional reading could be that the advice given could be the complete opposite of what actually works for a listener, rendering their advice useless.
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?
He found out interesting concepts set up by popular rapper Stormzy. It also featured an author. They talk about how Stormzy's campaign helps BME students to get into Cambridge/Oxford.
He found out interesting concepts set up by popular rapper Stormzy. It also featured an author. They talk about how Stormzy's campaign helps BME students to get into Cambridge/Oxford.
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 9.2 million listeners that Radio 1 now pulls in each week is officially the second-lowest ever recorded ratings for the BBC station, and is close to equalling the lowest weekly rating of 9.1 million, which was posted in May 2017.
There was better news for Radio 1 in terms of its digital audience, with the station now posting a record 16 million YouTube views a week. The station is also still the top choice for listeners aged 15 to 24 in the UK.
There was better news for Radio 1 in terms of its digital audience, with the station now posting a record 16 million YouTube views a week. The station is also still the top choice for listeners aged 15 to 24 in the UK.
Industry contexts: final tasks
1) How does Life Hacks meet the BBC mission statement to Educate, Inform and Entertain?
It educates them on what things can pop up when growing up, it can inform them on how to cope with them and also divert their minds by entertaining them with music/talks with guests or hosts.
It educates them on what things can pop up when growing up, it can inform them on how to cope with them and also divert their minds by entertaining them with music/talks with guests or hosts.
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.
"the public has exceptionally high expectations of the BBC"
"leaving creative decisions in the hands of programme-makers, but stretching and challenging the BBC to deliver for all its audiences."
"In most areas, they place tougher requirements on the broadcaster than existed before, as well as safeguarding key areas of delivery. They set a baseline for future performance."
"the public has exceptionally high expectations of the BBC"
"leaving creative decisions in the hands of programme-makers, but stretching and challenging the BBC to deliver for all its audiences."
"In most areas, they place tougher requirements on the broadcaster than existed before, as well as safeguarding key areas of delivery. They set a baseline for future performance."
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?
"support social action campaigns on radio"
"require the BBC to reflect the full diversity of the UK"
"secure a more distinctive BBC"
"support social action campaigns on radio"
"require the BBC to reflect the full diversity of the UK"
"secure a more distinctive BBC"
4) What do you think are the three most important aspects in the a-h list? Why?
The three I listed on the top. To support social campaigns on radio is huge because not only is it for a good cause, it provides more listeners/supporters. The BBC, in the current climate, must do better to encompass the UK as a multicultural part of the world. It's expected from all media companies at this point. The BBC has lost some support but through making smart and progressive choices, they could win the favour of the public again and be an industry leader simpy down to the content they produce and the people they attract.
The three I listed on the top. To support social campaigns on radio is huge because not only is it for a good cause, it provides more listeners/supporters. The BBC, in the current climate, must do better to encompass the UK as a multicultural part of the world. It's expected from all media companies at this point. The BBC has lost some support but through making smart and progressive choices, they could win the favour of the public again and be an industry leader simpy down to the content they produce and the people they attract.
5) Read point 1.9: What do Ofcom plan to review in terms of diversity and audience?
They want people from every culture to be presented in a way that's fair and not offensive. People from other cultures will see themselves reflected in the BBC in a positive light and then will be more inclined to support the growth of the BBC. This is a god idea since there is a growing immigrant population in the UK.
They want people from every culture to be presented in a way that's fair and not offensive. People from other cultures will see themselves reflected in the BBC in a positive light and then will be more inclined to support the growth of the BBC. This is a god idea since there is a growing immigrant population in the UK.
6) What is Ben Cooper trying to do with Radio 1?
“My focus is to bring new audiences and new ways to the BBC,”
He wants to make Radio 1 a multi-platform business than can keep tabs with other modern companies.
7) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?
The 46-year-old is armed with some statistics of his own to illustrate his point. Using figures based on those aged 10 and up, he reckons the most common age of a Radio 1 listener is 18. And for its YouTube channel it is 12- to 17-year-old females. “There is no holy grail of one single digital footprint figure in the industry unfortunately,” he says.
8) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?
It offers more entertainment than commercial radio. Radio isn't a PSB. The BBC has a remit to abide by and it's that which gives Radio 1 the edge in terms of content and appeal.
9) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?
YouTube is where most of their key audiences spend all their time, more views and listens are possible. 12-17 year old females are the most likely to listen to R1 on YT. YouTube, for many, has proved a great place t get views based on content that;s already been created.
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.
I think the BBC should carry on with their current direction. The more they target the younger audience bracket eventually they will give in and accept that the BBC is actually evolving and proves to be a threat to other radio services in the future. We might even see a resurgence in Radio 1 listeners in the next decade. I think that the longer they keep sticking with young people and including ethnic minorities, there's light at the end of the tunnel for the Beebs.
I think the BBC should carry on with their current direction. The more they target the younger audience bracket eventually they will give in and accept that the BBC is actually evolving and proves to be a threat to other radio services in the future. We might even see a resurgence in Radio 1 listeners in the next decade. I think that the longer they keep sticking with young people and including ethnic minorities, there's light at the end of the tunnel for the Beebs.
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