Tuesday 2 May 2023

To what extent has digital technology affected the ways in which the radio industry distributes and circulates its products? Make reference to Late Night Woman’s Hour to support you answer


Facts


Based off Woman’s Hour, first broadcast 1946

LNWH first broadcast in 2015

PBS broadcasting - public service broadcasting

BBC radio 4, then podcasted on BBC sounds 

Used to air weekly on Thursday and Friday at 11pm

(now its frequency is sporadic)

Used to be hosted by Lauren Lavergne 

Now hosted by Emma Barnet

A magazine that covers many different topics

BBC4 targets a middle aged middle class audience 

LNWH target a slightly younger audience and has a more explicit mode of address suitable for a later time slot 

Formal mode of address


Defining key terms


Plurality - - Refers to when a media company produces media of a variety of different types that appeal to a variety of different audiences. For example the BBC produces a range TV and radio shows as diverse as Blue Planet to Eastenders


Diversification - refers to when a media producers creates a media product in a different industry. A great example of this is the video game production company Ubisoft diversifying their output by producing a Hollywood film.


Distribution - refers to the process of making a media product available to an audience tso it can be consumed. For example, the newspaper industry relies on a combination of physical and digital distribution




Underline the key terms


To what extent has digital technology affected the ways in which the radio industry distributes and circulates its products? Make reference to Late Night Woman’s Hour to support you answer [10]


Knee jerk reaction


Digital technologies have affected distribution in the radio industry to a large extent 


Plan


BBC Sounds

Podcasts

Digital convergence

Cultural industries 

(end of audience) 

Curran and Seaton - power and Profit 

Watershed

Regulation

Digital distribution

PBS

Streaming service 

Spotify 

Hesmondhalgh

Multimedia integration

Convergence

Diversification

Parasocial relationships

Digital technologies

Livingstone and Lunt

Genre conventions

OFCOM

Self regulation




Introduction


DAC - definition, argument, context


Digital technologies refer to the ways in which computers have diversified the means of production, distribution and circulation of media products. In this essay I shall argue that digital technologies have completely changed the ways in which the radio industry distributes its products. I shall make reference to LNWH, a women’s lifestyle magazine show broadcast on BBC radio 4, and targeting a middle class middle aged audience. 


Paragraphs


PEA - Point, evidence, argument 


  • LNWH is streamed on multiple platforms, including being streamed through BBC sounds, hosted on Spotify, and being Broadcast on BBC Radio 4. This diverse and inclusive range of distribution methods allows the BBC to target a range of different audiences. For example, older audience members may listen to LNWH on the radio, while younger audiences may stream it through BBC sounds. By effectively targeting so many audiences, this allows the BBC to minimise risk and maximise profit.

  • However, the BBC is funded by a licence fee and does not make revenue in a traditional manner. Instead the BBC is a PBS, and has a remit to inform, educate and to entertain. This approach is pluralistic, and the BBC must appeal to as many different and diverse audiences as possible. This can be achieved through digital technology. By including so many products of such a diverse nature, the BBC reinforces its brand identity, and encourages audiences to consume paying the licence fee and therefore fun it’s products

  • LNWH actively engages a niche audiences, and does so through its highly relatable subject matter

  • Digital technology allows for audience interaction through social media