Nima Shiralizadeh - Media Studies
Newsbeat - Media Studies: Radio CSP (Industry and Audience)
Context
● Newsbeat is a transitional media product; it is available traditionally
(according to a broadcast schedule) and online for streaming and
downloading after a broadcast
● It is broadcast on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1XTRA and BBC Asian
Network - in effect it is a simulcast
● In addition, it is a multi-platform media product to ensure it reaches
its youth target audience (16-24) through Twitter, Instagram, in
conjunction with a website
● It has two 15 minute programmes at 12:45 and 17:45 informing audiences about
current affairs that appeal to them
● Newsbeat is a component of BBC News - which is funded by the hypothecated tax (TV
Licence)
● It has 8 million weekly listeners and 14 million e-media viewers
INDUSTRY
The BBC and BBC Radio One
● Radio One is owned by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and was established
in 1967 to meet the unmet needs of youth audiences which were being met by pirate
radio stations such as Radio Caroline and Radio Luxembourg which
were broadcasting rock, pop and soul
● Radio Luxembourg circumvented UK legal controls because…it was
operating in Luxembourg. However, the government could have simply
shut down Radio Caroline but decided to establish Radio 1 to compete
● It has a target audience of 15-29
● It is funded by the hypothecated tax (which was known as the Radio
Licence from 1922-1971 but is now called the TV Licence)
● The BBC is a PSB (public service broadcaster) meaning all of its output is designed to
serve the public with information, entertainment and education without the
capitalist ideology
● During the early years of radio’s inception(post-1890)/commercialisation, the public
was apprehensive about how output was controlled and prevented from
manipulation
● Consequently, in 1922 the BBC became a state-sanctioned monopoly, in conjunction
with operating with values in mind
● ENTER: Lord John Reith. From 1922 to 1927, Lord Reith became the BBC’s irst
director-general who established the concept of independent public service
broadcasting
● He established the Reithian principles: ‘To inform, educate and entertain’
which is epitomised by Newsbeat’s content
, Nima Shiralizadeh - Media Studies
Newsbeat - A Multimedia Platform Product
● Aforementioned, Newsbeat is a multimedia platform product and thus has a wide
presence: a sub-page/website on the BBC News website, a Twitter and Instagram
account
● The website has designed to be distinctive and appealing by providing content which
would attract them for consumption; it’s format derives from the BBC’s central news
website, however it has been adapted to avoid mirroring the BBC’s news page because
it’s content wouldn’t be appealing for a youth
audience (16-24)
● Newsbeat’s Twitter page has 150.8K
followers (March 2022)
● The accounts is relatively active because it posts
content 9-10 times daily in order to effectively
adhere to it’s remit as a PSB
●Albeit, there is minimal
audience engagement and
interactivity in return. This is
evidenced by the amount of
likes, retweets and comments
it receives per post. Each post
accumulates between 0-6 likes and 1-4 retweets which indicates that
their attempts to reach a youth audience isn’t as signi icant, despite
being a platform dominated by their target audience
●On the other hand, their Instagram account has 110K followers but
accumulates over 100 likes per post, in addition to exemplifying a
profusion of audience interactivity evidenced by 50 comments per post
on average
●For example, one of their posts featuring transgender Eurovision host,
Nikkie De J ger has gathered 261K views and 103 positive comments
indicating the effectiveness and success of being a multi-platform
product
● In addition, the interactivity and engagement of the post can be
understood by its LGBTQ+ themes, in conjunction with how audiences
(especially younger ones) are more active and open towards this topic
Regulation
● The BBC is REGULATED by Ofcom (the of ice of communications) who is
responsible for ensuring output is impartial and not harmful for
audiences - adherence to Ofcom’s established standards
● The BBC is GOVERNED by the BBC Board, which has no direct
government intervention
● Since Newsbeat caters to a youth audience, regulation is paramount as
their audience comprises prospective voters, civilians, workers and
consumers. Thus, shielding them from political bias is vital
Newsbeat - Media Studies: Radio CSP (Industry and Audience)
Context
● Newsbeat is a transitional media product; it is available traditionally
(according to a broadcast schedule) and online for streaming and
downloading after a broadcast
● It is broadcast on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1XTRA and BBC Asian
Network - in effect it is a simulcast
● In addition, it is a multi-platform media product to ensure it reaches
its youth target audience (16-24) through Twitter, Instagram, in
conjunction with a website
● It has two 15 minute programmes at 12:45 and 17:45 informing audiences about
current affairs that appeal to them
● Newsbeat is a component of BBC News - which is funded by the hypothecated tax (TV
Licence)
● It has 8 million weekly listeners and 14 million e-media viewers
INDUSTRY
The BBC and BBC Radio One
● Radio One is owned by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) and was established
in 1967 to meet the unmet needs of youth audiences which were being met by pirate
radio stations such as Radio Caroline and Radio Luxembourg which
were broadcasting rock, pop and soul
● Radio Luxembourg circumvented UK legal controls because…it was
operating in Luxembourg. However, the government could have simply
shut down Radio Caroline but decided to establish Radio 1 to compete
● It has a target audience of 15-29
● It is funded by the hypothecated tax (which was known as the Radio
Licence from 1922-1971 but is now called the TV Licence)
● The BBC is a PSB (public service broadcaster) meaning all of its output is designed to
serve the public with information, entertainment and education without the
capitalist ideology
● During the early years of radio’s inception(post-1890)/commercialisation, the public
was apprehensive about how output was controlled and prevented from
manipulation
● Consequently, in 1922 the BBC became a state-sanctioned monopoly, in conjunction
with operating with values in mind
● ENTER: Lord John Reith. From 1922 to 1927, Lord Reith became the BBC’s irst
director-general who established the concept of independent public service
broadcasting
● He established the Reithian principles: ‘To inform, educate and entertain’
which is epitomised by Newsbeat’s content
, Nima Shiralizadeh - Media Studies
Newsbeat - A Multimedia Platform Product
● Aforementioned, Newsbeat is a multimedia platform product and thus has a wide
presence: a sub-page/website on the BBC News website, a Twitter and Instagram
account
● The website has designed to be distinctive and appealing by providing content which
would attract them for consumption; it’s format derives from the BBC’s central news
website, however it has been adapted to avoid mirroring the BBC’s news page because
it’s content wouldn’t be appealing for a youth
audience (16-24)
● Newsbeat’s Twitter page has 150.8K
followers (March 2022)
● The accounts is relatively active because it posts
content 9-10 times daily in order to effectively
adhere to it’s remit as a PSB
●Albeit, there is minimal
audience engagement and
interactivity in return. This is
evidenced by the amount of
likes, retweets and comments
it receives per post. Each post
accumulates between 0-6 likes and 1-4 retweets which indicates that
their attempts to reach a youth audience isn’t as signi icant, despite
being a platform dominated by their target audience
●On the other hand, their Instagram account has 110K followers but
accumulates over 100 likes per post, in addition to exemplifying a
profusion of audience interactivity evidenced by 50 comments per post
on average
●For example, one of their posts featuring transgender Eurovision host,
Nikkie De J ger has gathered 261K views and 103 positive comments
indicating the effectiveness and success of being a multi-platform
product
● In addition, the interactivity and engagement of the post can be
understood by its LGBTQ+ themes, in conjunction with how audiences
(especially younger ones) are more active and open towards this topic
Regulation
● The BBC is REGULATED by Ofcom (the of ice of communications) who is
responsible for ensuring output is impartial and not harmful for
audiences - adherence to Ofcom’s established standards
● The BBC is GOVERNED by the BBC Board, which has no direct
government intervention
● Since Newsbeat caters to a youth audience, regulation is paramount as
their audience comprises prospective voters, civilians, workers and
consumers. Thus, shielding them from political bias is vital
