Introduction to radio: blog tasks

BBC Sounds

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 problem is that ever since the BBC was founded almost a century ago it has been based around an era of broadcasting that was designed towards a comprehensive offering: a shared listening – and then viewing – experience.

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

3%

3) What is BBC Sounds?

It will bring radio livestreams, catch up services, music mixes and podcasts together under one roof.

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

Via apps like Spotify and Alexa where they can skip songs unlike BBC Sounds

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

“The very best stories are fundamentally anchored around the personal experience. You’re trying to find the human in the machine. Journalists have a process but younger audiences can find that very cold and want to access the actual response of human beings. They really want to understand the heart of the story.”

6) Why does the BBC need to stay relevant?

They are a very old organisation who have dominated the UK's media landscape for ages. In recent years, the BBC have struggled to relate to younger audiences due to their relaxed and traditional approach.

Now read this review of the BBC Sounds app.

7) What content does the BBC Sounds app offer?

music, news, drama, documentaries and true crime

8) How does it link to BBC Radio?

It allows you to switch between anu live BBC radio station

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. “Spooky Sounds” only offered me 11 shows; “Be Curious” just 10. The BBC has thousands of amazing audio programmes! If you browse podcasts via, say, the Apple Podcasts app, you have 16 categories to choose from, and within each, at least 20 series to try. 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?

Guilty Feminist and Griefcast. They are something that breaks away from the BBC norm. GF covers a hot topic which is coveted by the younger generation. Griefcast provides us with something funny and different.

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?

Mostly Lit, Two Fools Talking, Artistic State of Mind, Top 4mation and Archived History

3) What audience do they reach?

92% of their listeners are from a BAME background. 

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

3.7 million people, 6.5% of the UK population, listen to podcasts. 57% of them listen to them on their phones, and 47% listen to podcasts while commuting and 34% when they are relaxing or doing nothing.

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

Yes because they boast a whole heap of topics and appeal as well as being up to date with the digital age. I think that podcasts will be the future of radio as the ease of accessing them is becoming easier and the topics are also plentiful.