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?
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.
BBC Radio 1 - Life Hacks: Blog tasks
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?
The website promotes helplines for teenagers and advice to guide them through life which means that it is aimed at a younger audience and aims to guide confused teenagers on the right pathway for their careers s that they can become successful.
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.
Whats it like coming out in a coronavirus pandemic , are antidepressants right for me. This helps BBc fulfilling their responsibilities in guiding and raising awareness and help on sensitive issues such as mental health which are usually brushed under the rug.
Offers advice for common adolescent problems inviting other young people to share their problems, experiences or advice.
2) Which of the five central purposes in the BBC's remit does Life Hacks cover?
To provide impartial news and information to help
people understand and engage with the world around
them.
3) Read the history of Radio 1 on page 2. Why was the launch of Radio 1 both significant and controversial?
They believed that that the BBCs promotion of pop music is vulgar and instead of promoting popular music broadcasting they should look for commercial alternatives.
4) Do you consider Life Hacks to be a 'distinctive offering' that helps the BBC to fulfil its public service broadcasting remit? Why?
No because it is not diverse and does not apply to all age groups and genres and therefore only fulfil their permit for a certain age group.
5) Look at the figures on page 3 of the factsheet. How much does the BBC spend on Radio 1?
1.6% of the licence fee spend.
6) How has new technology impacted on radio?
It has resulted in the audience having more flexibility and control over listening and demanding.
7) What has Radio 1 done in response to the changes new technology have had on radio?
They have created an app named BBC sounds where they can adjust and promote this new technology.
8) What are the audiences targeted by Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra? What is their actual audience?
Their target audience is 15-29 and their actual audience is mid 30s.
9) Applying Gerbner's Cultivation theory, how might Life Hacks influence its listeners (or 'cultivate' certain views)?
The cultivation theory states that the more time people spend 'living' in the television world, the more likely they are to believe social reality aligns with reality portrayed on television" so life hacks could result in the audience believe that they can make a positive change in their lifestyle which they then act upon.
10) Applying Hall's Reception theory, how might different audiences 'read' Life Hacks? What pleasures or reactions might different audiences have to the programme?
Stuart Halls theory states that messages are encoded into television and the audience may have a personal relationship because they may relate to this life hack that is already instilled in their lifestyle.
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?
My self-mentoring began with Radio 1’s Life Hacks, a long-established programme and, now, podcast. One of its most recent episodes features Stormzy, which is why I had a listen. He was on with author Jude Yawson, who co-authored Rise Up, the first book published by Stormzy’s new imprint, #Merky Books. The chat was interesting: Stormzy explained his decision to set up a scholarship for BME candidates for Cambridge University and the ideas behind what he wants to do with #Merky in general
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.
Industry contexts: final tasks
1) How does Life Hacks meet the BBC mission statement to Educate, Inform and Entertain?
It educates and informs young teenagers about life hacks that could help them better their original lifestyle and provide them with information that teenagers aren't usually taught at home or school. It entertains by featuring many celebs who they feel as if they can relate to them and get an inside on their lives which they look up to.
The BBC is the UK’s most widely-used media organisation, providing programming on television and radio and content online. The public has exceptionally high expectations of the BBC, shaped by its role as a publicly-funded broadcaster with a remit to inform, educate and entertain the public, and to support the creative economy across the UK.
To meet these expectations, the BBC must deliver the mission and public purposes set out in its new Royal Charter (the Charter). For the first time, the BBC will be robustly held to account for doing so by an independent, external regulator.
The Licence will:Increase requirements around programmes for children. CBBC must show at least 400 hours – and CBeebies at least 100 hours – of brand new, UK commissioned programmes each year. CBeebies has to provide a range of programming that supports pre-school children’s learning;
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 BBC radio.
Secure a more distinctive BBC.
Require the BBC to reflect the full diversity of the UK population.
4) What do you think are the three most important aspects in the a-h list? Why?
- Support a wide range of valued genres
- Increase requirements around programmes for children
- Safeguard vulnerable genres such as arts, music and religious programmes.
5) Read point 1.9: What do Ofcom plan to review in terms of diversity and audience?
They plan to do an an in-depth review of how different audiences are represented and portrayed on the BBC. They plan to examine the on-screen diversity of the BBC’s programming, including in its popular peak time shows.
Read this Guardian interview with BBC 1 Controller Ben Cooper.
6) What is Ben Cooper trying to do with Radio 1?
He is trying to bring new audiences and new ways to the BBC.
7) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?
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.
8) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?
He states that it is more entertaining and commercial radio presents less entertainment.
9) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?
Social media platforms have a larger audience size and they can attract more audiences increasing their popularity.
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 that BBC's remit should include raging young audiences via radio 1 because it offers more entertainment and informs and educates a younger audience on life hacks which they are not taught induction at home which may be useful to bettering their lifestyle.
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.
7) How does he argue that Radio 1 is doing better with younger audiences than the statistics suggest?
8) Why does he suggest Radio 1 is distinctive from commercial radio?
9) Why is Radio 1 increasingly focusing on YouTube views and digital platforms?