Understand the structure

and organisation of UK
radio broadcasting

By Matthew Pickett
UK Radio Broadcasters
 What different types of UK radio broadcasters are
there?

Hospital Radio
Independent Local Radio
Community Radio
BBC Radio
National Commercial Road
National Brands
Hospital Radio

Hospital Radio is a individual service provide specifically and only in hospitals, an example being
Kingston Radio, the way they are funded is through individual donations given given from
members of the public. The way they are distributed across Hull & East Riding, Its a local radio
station for the Lincolnshire District. The main broadcast is located in Hull Royal Infirmary,
Kingstown Radio provides regular sports updates during Hull City home football matches and
other sports related events. The way in which they cross platform, most hospital broadcasters
do not use marketing or advertising to attract audiences due to being isolated to a small
minority of hospitals, therefore non-patients do not have access to the station. Limiting
audience number. But a way in which they combat this is the broadcast Mon-Thurs 9am-11pm
this range of broadcasting time means it can be broadcast to a variety of people throughout the
day.
Independent Local Radio

Is the name given to commercial radio stations around the UK most stations are neither
Independent/Non Local. Examples of Independent Local Radio is Compass FM, originally
launched in 2001 compass distributes its channel to around 284.000 people across the local
region, Compass FM is only one of eight Community Radio stations covering Lincolnshire and
Yorkshire, most companies use stations such as Compass to advertise their marketing
campaigns, which in turn boost listenership. The main audience alone studies for compass
found that the highest listenership was with women leading 51% audience listenership.
Audiences of such stations can usually listen to their local station in a variety of forms, such as
FM Radio in the car, via downloading the APP which are available across multiple devices e.g
Android, Apple, or via their website, also via these source people can read info told on their
device if they miss a segment or do not wish to listen via radio.
Community Radio
Are stations that broadcast in local communities (Liverpool, Manchester , Grimsby) and
broadcast on local issues, examples being Lincs FM, Brighton Fm and Kiss FM.

The way in which these stations are funded is via grants donations and advertising and
sponsorship given by local people, through Community Radio is predominantly funded via the
Public, sometimes grants are awarded were amounts are given to help either start or fund the
station. Some stations try to make themselves valuable or tied to the community, by helping out
local organisations and charities this makes the station stand out, also most stations use social
media outlets, via doing this this allows for a larger following to share particularly relevant
community events, which can then reach others from around the community into listening to
the individual station.

But the restriction is Community Radio shows are usually locally distributed in the area they are
broadcast in Lincs FM being an example of one, such stations broadcast in one point of the
area UK and they also broadcast where their content targets their local audience, Traffic
Updates, Local Issues, we all culminate to create the show which can be distributed on local
resident devices, but the only way the can mass advertise is via their social feed.
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is an operational business division and service , BBC Radio provides a variety of
musical genres it was created in a way to combat the demand of Pirate radio during the 1960s,
examples being BBC Radio 1 & 2.

BBC radio is financed by the Licensing fee it is a public service broadcaster, they can also make
profit from gig ticket sales such (BBC: The Big Weekend), BBC Radio is distributed on
multimedia platforms, the main aims or criteria is to Inform, Entertain. So the station is
distributed on the Official Website and via their official Iplayer website.

The ways in which BBC radio uses cross platforming to attract its audience, they have a variety
of channels to cover all ethnic, sexual orientation groups, in their broadcasts the stations use
suttle messages for the consumer to take interest in and research.

BBC radio has only started to advertise their radio through ads, I way in which they get audience
more involved is via Iplayer (Radio) which archives the last seven days content for each
broadcaster, also the use of pop-ups to attract their audience to take interest in their station.
National Commercial Radio
Are radio stations that broadcast on Analogue radio in the UK, examples being stations such as
Classic FM, Absolute Radio & TalkSPORT, are stations listed are only broadcast in UK and
usually privately owned by other media corporations due to them being commercial.

The ways in which the audience can access such stations Firstly, Via radio/digital and via WIFI
also they can be accessed via freeview channel TV Boxes and through the individual stations
downloadable app, the way in which these stations are distributed, they are usually broadcast to
major cities (London, Manchester, Liverpool) such stations as Classic FM would be broadcast to,
they can be listened to on Car Radio , they way in which these stations are identified is via UKW
& WHF, and form these stations we may also get told the name of the songs and Name.

An example of stations to have used cross platforming, Absolute Radio released their First TV ad
in early 2008 to target a larger audience capacity , the ads range from around 10-30 secs to
keep the consumers involved an attracted, therefore these ads target to a wider range of
audience members, as they have a variety of stations which cater to different age demographics.
National Brands
A national brand radio station, is a station the cover a large locality, examples being Heart FM,
BBC Radio 1 and Kiss FM broadcasts on both FM, DAB, such stations as the ones listed rely on
funding by advertisements, that are advertised by their station, Ex: Kiss FM distribution the
usual reach for a station is around 280,00-4.6 Million depending on locality, the reasoning is
because of Internet stream as such stations provide an International Stream National
Branding , also the reason national brands are more successful is because the stream on TV
service broadcaster such as FM, Freeview & Virgin Media
Operating Model
BBC Radio 1 (Who owns the broadcaster)

BBC Radio 1 is not directly owned by a single person, as it is funded via public TV licensing their
is no direct ownership, though the BBC funded it other resources BBC is the main owner of
stations such as BBC Radio 1, 2, & 4, as the BBC is not directly owned, they enroll a BBC
Executive committee, they are responsible for the operational management of the corporation,
Chair by Director General Tony Hall .

The committee consists of nine directors who manage large operational areas of the BBC I.e
(Programing, Radio). Therefore the Director's body is responsible for delivering the BBCs
services in accordance with the strategy and delegation frame work agreed by the governing
board.
BBC (Who runs the broadcaster)

The BBC Executive committee, they are responsible for the operational management of the
corporation, Chair by Director General Tony Hall , the committee consists of nine directors
who manage large operational areas of the BBC I.e (Programing, Radio). Therefore the
Director's body is responsible for delivering the BBCs services in accordance with the strategy
and delegation frame work agreed by the governing board. So in relation the governing board
manage and run the different sectors within the BBC and make sure that each sector of the BBC
is within regulation rules and is creating the needed resources for the audience/consumer.
BBC (Is it Public Service or Commercial?)
BBC, it intends to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners, with a distinctive
mix of contemporary music and audio (speech/chat). Its predominant target audience
(Primary Audience) is between 15-29 years old and it also should offer a variety of reasonable
content for younger listeners. In terms of how they achieve a connection between younger
consumers they have presenters that a recognisable due their status on TV or other media
outlets. So presenters such as Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac appeal to both sexual
orientational groups, also as the BBC Broadcaster is funded publicly it must achieve reaching
certain criteria over ethnic groups, so having different presenters for a variety of cultural
backgrounds it covers the spectrum of the british medium that is expected to be covered in
regulation to what the demographic is expecting. So they are public service broadcaster
because as they are funded via the public its in their interest to reach or give relevant
contents to the funding body.
BBC (How is it Funded)
The BBC is funded through the government Licensing Fee, this means when taxpayers
(Public) pay their TV Licensing, this the goes into the main broadcaster which distributes
revenue to the each section of the broadcaster, this means they dont need to advertise to any
specific audience, as they are delivered revenue via TV licensing. They are not allowed to
broadcast commercial in relation to make funding, through alternative ways such as ticket sales
to concerts such as BBC The Big Weekend they will use funding made in ticket sales to fund
sectors within the program, so they fund or put more money to an more popular and individual
section.
BBC (How does the broadcaster generate revenue)

Through Licensing Fee, this means when taxpayers (Public) pay their TV Licensing, this the
goes into the main broadcaster which distributes revenue to the each section of the
broadcaster, this means they dont need to advertise to any specific audience, as they are
delivered revenue via TV licensing. They are not allowed to broadcast commercial in relation to
make funding, through alternative ways such as ticket sales to concerts such as BBC The Big
Weekend they will use funding made in ticket sales to fund sectors within the program, so they
fund or put more money to an more popular and individual section.
BBC (What is the broadcasters relationship with
advertisers)

Due to the BBC being a Public service provider they must regulate in terms outlined by Rule
(14.4.32), outlining The BBC Brand is not used to endorse outside companies or organisations.
They achieve this by ensuring commercial advertising, promotions and statement releases by
outside companies do not give the impression of BBC endorsement, and also advertising does
not pass off BBC Programing.

Any outside companies must follow in accordance to with the BBC Fair Trading Guidelines, to
gain advertising rights from the BBC.
BBC (What is its annual profits? How
are they used by the broadcaster?)

In terms of BBC Radio (Annual Profit) it

creates around 653m per year, this is then
redistributed to other radio sectors within the
BBC, most money is distributed to Local
BBC Radio 154m invested which then
helps radio stations across the country, here
you can see how money is used and in what
terms of funding is used for individual
sectors of BBC Radio.
Product Types
BBC (What stations do they broadcast?)

In terms of what Radio stations the BBC Broadcasts , the BBC broadcasts such stations like
BBC Radio 1,2, 3, 5 Live on digital stations other broadcasted stations such as 1Xtra, Asian
Network and 6 Music are also available on BBC Radio Iplayer, are available 30 days after
transmission , having. So Radio 1xtra having such forms as urban Music Hip-Hop and dancehall,
BBC Radio 4Extra Archive Programming . (So Showcasing previously broadcasted
transmissions, Comedy, Drama, with such sitcoms panel games stand up and life stories.) 5Live
focus on Pure Live Sport cricket Football commentary Formula and Rugby union so
broadcasting a variety of different of personalisation elements that relate to the public
consumer.
BBC (What type of station are they. News, talk,
entertainment etc)

Most stations broadcasts are personalised to the consumers individual taste, with 5 Live being
Team News and sport news while delivering entertainment to fans of the individual sport, In
contrast 4Extra delivering pastime broadcasts and attract audience from an older demographic
(60-65+), so the format of this station is chat show talk entertainment so they each meet a
public service relevant to the consumer, Sport, Music, etc so they broadcast a range a stations
that identifies to their audience.
BBC Radio 1 ( What genres of programmes do they
broadcast?)

The BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw is a live led presenter show which
contains the expected, conventions of music. Guest interviews, and audience phone ins and
competitions, The Show is a formally based Zoo Format this means it includes all formal
elements mentioned in a spontaneous and audience attracting way. Also new technologies
have been created, which has allowed for more podcast to be downloaded on multiple
devices, after broadcast most stations archive their broadcasts on their website Iplayer for
listeners to access on demand, the radio stations also use the conventions of social media for
live studio web stream, which have allowed the audience to have a closer relationship
between presenters and themselves, they also have their own brand style for a station such
as BBC Radio 1 they will use diction such as LOL & YOLO whereas station such as BBC
Radio 4 would use much clearer diction.
Mode of delivery
How does BBC Radio 1 address its audience? (What
techniques are used.)

BBC Radio 1 will uses it own brand style for a station such as BBC Radio 1 they will use diction such as LOL
& YOLO, to identify with it target demographic, the use of colloquial language is used to address the audience,
as the audience is aimed between 16-29 language or indirect address is better as it appeals to the audience,
by using indirect address it makes the audience feel part of conversation with being directly involved in what is
going on, so the address technique is to identify with the audience to which is target so by using slang it makes
the language more understandable and is relevant to what the content it connects to audience.
Programme Content
BBC Radio 1 : What type of content do they include?
(interviews, phone ins, news, traffic reports etc.)

The Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw is a live led presenter show which contains the
expected, conventions of music. Guest interviews, and audience phone ins and competitions,
The Show is a formally based Zoo Format this means it includes all formal elements
mentioned in a spontaneous and audience attracting way. Also new technologies have been
created, which has allowed for more podcast to be downloaded on multiple devices.
Audience Profile
BBC Radio 1 (Who are the target audiences for the
broadcaster? )
In terms of Demographics in relation to BBC Radio 1, it intends to entertain and engage a broad range
of young listeners, with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and audio (speech/chat). Its
predominant target audience (Primary Audience) is between 15-29 years old and it also should offer a
variety of reasonable content for younger listeners. In terms of how they achieve a connection
between younger consumers they have presenters that a recognisable due their status on TV or other
media outlets.

So presenters such as Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac appeal to both sexual orientational groups, also
as the BBC Broadcaster is funded publicly it must achieve reaching certain criteria over ethnic groups,
so having different presenters for a variety of cultural backgrounds it covers the spectrum of the
british medium that is expected to be covered in regulation to what the demographic is expecting.
Audience Profile (Continued)
In relation to Psychographics for BBC Radio 1, the general Psychographic is Explorers and
Reformers, in relevant media terms Explorers are usually in the younger part of the spectrum,
Seek Discovery individualism and experience values and difference which, so they identify to
want to discover new cultural music taste and be part of the experience, we can also identify
reformers as they are free to make individual decisions but are seeking to be younger and
part of the younger demographic so are more likely to want to engage in part of this spectrum
so the focus in primary is to attract a younger psychographic.

In terms of Socio-Economic Group we could say the allocated group is C2-E, if we look in
terms of Maslow's Hierarchy we can make the assumption that group is relevant as younger
people are more likely to listen to this station but a recent study has stated that the average
audience age is 32 so we can make an assumption that some people in this group will be in
work and are more likely to be able to finance themselves.

In terms of Geo-Demographics for BBC Radio 1, focus on different pop cultures so have a
variety of music so a music genre such as the Blues this appeals to to different ethnic
groups, so in terms BBC Radio have different variety of different ethnical backgrounds this
connects to different demographics as it appeals to a wide global groups therefore making the
groups from other global locations interested in listening to the station.
BBC Radio 1 (Audience profiling by RAJAR)

According to a study done by governing body RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research), Radio
listeners of BBC Radio 1 are starting to divert their interest to other stations such as BBC Radio
4 (Brexit, Donald Trump, Theresa May). Figures released by RAJAR 18th May 2017 has lost
nearly a quarter of its listeners in the last six years, It comes as listeners are keen to keep
update with worldwide affairs, recent figures carried out have suggested that Nick Grimshaw's
breakfast show has little over 5m listeners- the lowest under the presenters leadership, In
contrast BBC Radio 4 has more than a 11 million listeners tuning in each week, the stations
flagship has recorded a 7.4 million listeners late last year after unpredicted political affairs.
Distribution
BBC Radio 1 (How does the broadcaster reach its
audience?)

In terms of distribution BBC Radio 1 is broadcast on many multi firstly FM Radio the it the basic
and substandard radio way it reaches its audience, via Digital Radio this is more updated version
of the previous Radio delivering a higher standard quality of radio . Then via the app the use of
the app allows for listeners to listen on any device while on the move. This allows for a larger
spread demographic to listen to the station and be able to interact with its content. And finally
via the iplayer, any played content is archived so any content the consumer may miss is archived
for 30 days after the broadcast so any consumers make up audience numbers of its original
broadcast.
BBC Radio 1 (How does the station use cross-media
promotion to increase its audience?)

In terms of how BBC Radio 1 use cross media to increase its audience. As the target
demographic usually spends most of their time using different types of social media many
different devices they then advertise across these forms of media this then attracts an audience,
as I have researched they have used a variety of written, Visual, and listening media sources to
attract it audience this then allows for the individual consumer to access the station in their
own way. This allows for evolution to progress and audience to access in different ways. Due to
the cometitorship given by other stations viewer statics suggest that in addition more than 10
million listeners now listeners across the internet , with figures for Radio 1 Videos on Facebook
with 80m Monthly views and 1.4 Billion total views on Radio 1s YouTube channel. So the use of
using a more social based media promotion works better as the audience is not immediately
expected to respond and it allows for the audience to get involved with the interactive features
of the station.
Regulatory Body
Who regulates UK radio broadcasters?

OFCOM (The Office of Communications), they license all radio services within the UK,
Broadcaster must comply to regulations set out in their license, OFCOM also publishes the
broadcasting code, a series of rules which all broadcast content on radio must follow. The BC
(Broadcasting Code) out lines that content inappropriate for young people Under 16-18s
should not be broadcast between the hours of 5:30am-9:00pm.
How does the regulatory body work?

OFCOM is the communications regulator for the UK , they regulate TV Radio and videos on
demand sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles and postal services, plus the airwaves over which
wireless devices operate, Ocom operates under a number of acts outlined be Acts of
Parliament, specifically the Communications Act of 2003, it specifically outlines the misuse of
any inappropriate use of language or content across individual media sectors.
What laws are connected to the regulator?
In terms of laws that are connected to OFCOM, The main legislations that OFCOM can
empower radio broadcasters who do not comply is the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 2006 (The
2006 act) this allows for OFCOM to

1. Issue and Charge for Licences for the installation and use of Radio.
2. Make and enforce regulations on their requirements to be met by users
3. Make and enforce regulations on the requirements met by the manufacturers and
importers of radio apparatus and of equipment which could cause radio interference.
4. And therefore restrict manufacture, sale, Import and possession of specified radio
apparatus.

The 2006 Act also contains a number of Criminal Offences Prosecuted by OFCOM'S. Of some
Offence relating to unauthorised use of radio can attract a financial penalty of up to 5,000 and
up to two years of imprisonment.

(Rules Outlined by Ofcom:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/89016/Guide-to-the-use-of-radio-tran
smitters-and-the-law.pdf)
Three examples of how the regulator has dealt with
(issues/complaints linked to your chosen broadcaster)
Example A:

BBC Radio 1, during a set in BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge a song with two instances of the F-word
being used during a live set on Saturday Afternoon during the hour of 16:57pm

Example B:

BBC Radio breached broadcasting guidelines by playing an interview with a jihadist

describing terrorism as quite fun and just like Call of Duty.

Example C:

Media regulator Ofcom has fined the BBC a record 150,000 for broadcasting "gratuitously
offensive, humiliating and demeaning" prank phone calls made by Russell Brand and Jonathan
Ross to the actor Andrew Sachs.mple C:
Evaluate the effectiveness of the the regulatory body
in dealing with these issues/complaints.
Example A (Resolution): Due to the station showing the materials to their regulatory body,
showing how much effort went into briefing the DJ Martin Solveig who was mixing songs live,
they put out an immediate apology, the complaint was marked as resolved and no action was
need by OFCOM, their for the regulated within the boundaries and were effective in response
to regulations that may have occurred.

Example B (Resolution): OFCOM investigated a possible breach of the code under rules which
clarify Children must be protected from inappropriate material, and that anything which causes
offence must be justified in content, they found that piece lacked comment explaining the
individuals view did not represent a wider experience, in resolution the BBC released a
statement saying it accepts the findings of the report with members of BBC Radio 1 staff sent
on compliance workshops to enhance their knowledge and obligations towards a younger
demographic. It has know also introduced a tighter editorial process to restrict such incidents
from happening again.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the the regulatory body
(Continued)
Example C: (Resolution): Due to the overwhelming nature of complaints made against the
broadcaster, It condemned the way it had aired explicit, intimate and confidential information
about Mrs Baillie & Mr Sachs in both programmes without prior consent. OFCOM was critical
that no person of authority had listened to the pre-recorded program of Oct 18th before it was
broadcast. In regulatory penalty the BBC was fined 70,000 for breaching generally accepted
standards and 80,000 for breaking rules surrounding adequate protection for members of the
public from unwarranted infringements of privacy. Also a another course of action it was forced
to sack Russell Brand, Lesley Douglas and David Barber and led to the suspension of lead
presenter Jonathan Ross without pay for 12 weeks.