Understanding the radio industries

Introduction about the radio industry

• Radio is undergoing a digital revolution - every bit as profound as that affecting TV - and as with all revolutions many of the eventual outcomes are uncertain.

• That rapid and profound impact has been experienced differently in different sectors of the industry - creating threats as well as opportunities. But despite all the uncertainty there is a sense abroad that this is an exciting period in the development.

Commercial radio

Non for profit radio

New Technology

Public broadcasting Public service broadcasting refers to broadcasting intended for the publics benefit rather than purely commercial concerns. Public broadcasting includes radio ,television and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service. Public broadcasters receive funding from diverse sources including license fees, individual contributions, public financing and commercial financing.

Different between broadcast and nun broadcast • Broadcast audio is a transmission. For example, Radio and Television. The reason

why these are BROADCAST elements is because they are live material and also because they can not in anyway shape or form be fast forwarded, paused, stopped or rewound.

• Non Broadcast audio is completely the opposite of broadcast .The main powers that non broadcast material can have, is that it enables you to pause, stop, rewind and fast forward video and, or audio as and when you feel like or if there is a need too. As non broadcast is not live or a continuous stream of media, it can also be played at any time of any day etc. Some examples of this can be videos on YouTube. You are able to view freely and leisurely as and when you please. The same goes for BBC iplayer or your music on iTunes. Non broadcast can also be playing a CD, Listening to your iPod or MP3 player, or even watching a DVD on your TV. all of these examples mentioned are linked with each other because they can all come to a halt at any time and are not broadcasted as a continuous stream.

K2k radio station

• Kilburn to Kensal radio broadcasts live from North West London, with all types of music and chat (funk, soul, hip hop, jazz, drum and bass, reggae, dub, basement, ska, dub step, house,. techno, metal, you name it. They also talk about a whole host of things, with comedy, hot chat, politics, date roulette, live music, open mix, spoken word, theatre and much more.

Professional bodiesThe national association of broadcasters provide opportunities that are professional to developopportunities for local radio station nationwide.Commercial radio companies association (CRCA) represents commercial radio to the government,Copyright societies and other organizations involved in radio.

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Radio

Radio broadcasting is such a powerful medium, therefore its potential for communication is very great but the actual outcome may be quite small. To the consumer, radio is radio, whether it comes out of their stereo or the computer on their desk. For the most part, this is true. However, all transmission mediums have their strengths and weaknesses, and it is these qualities, which may determine a medium's future success.

The Strengths Of Radio

Radio might be a blind medium, considering the fact that one can only listen to it, but it has the potential to reach large numbers of people, by informing, educating, entertaining and persuading.

The sights and sounds of radio are created within the listener, thus stimulating his or her imagination. Radio is a more personal indulgence, as the one has direct contact with the radio and it can have greater impact and involvement in one's daily activities. It provides for people as a form of relaxation and entertainment, diverting them from their troubles, anxiety and stress

What makes one station better than another?

• If The Artist radio function is good but I would like to be able to create a radio station based on more than one artist. For example now If I am listening to a station based on The Limners and is starting to get a bit tired of slow folk pop songs. But if I could add some For Fighters related songs to that mix the radio station would become much better.

• And once this radio station has been created and If i have clicked the thumbs up and thumbs down a number of times to make the station even more perfect I would like to save that radio station so I can listen to it again without having to create it once more.

Why is local or community radio better for a niche audience?

• Community radio is a radio service offering a third model of radio broadcasting in addition to commercial and public broadcasting. Community stations serve geographic communities and communities of interest. They broadcast content that is popular and relevant to a local, specific audience but is often overlooked by commercial or mass-media broadcasters. Community radio stations are operated, owned, and influenced by the communities they serve. They are generally non profit and provide a mechanism for enabling individuals, groups, and communities to tell their own stories, to share experiences and, in a media-rich world, to become creators and contributors of media so community radio are better for a niche audience.

Personal preference

I enjoy listening to capital FM .Capital is a radio network of nine independent contemporary hit radio

stations in the United Kingdom which are owned and operated by Global Radio, launching on 3 January 2011.Capital was previously known as Mix, One, Galaxy and Hit Music at various times. The stations were formerly owned by Gap Media and Chrysalis Radio prior to their respective takeovers by Global Radio and, with the exception of Capital London, were all part of Galaxy or Hit Music prior to January 2011.

The stations serve an audience of 7.1 million listeners and target a core audience in the 12-20 age group.