In this assignment I will be critically analysing and comparing different types of radio stations. I will be comparing Heart, BBC Radio 2 and Jack solent.
Jack Solent is easily identifiable as an 'Adult Contempoary' station, due to the type of music it plays. This happens to be a mixture of pop hits and ballads from the 80's and 90's. The target audience for this type of radio would most probably be attracting listeners 40+. This station have a 2:25 minute long broadcast for it's news update broadcast. Within this broadcast they do not only include a mixture of stories with different topics, but they also update listeners on the weather. At the beginning of this broadcast, it starts with a quick promotion of the radio company by letting the listeners know who they are listening too and to grab your attention. The presenter(s) are mainly male, due to the entire radio being aimed at a more male oriented audience. The style of language is formal yet informal as it's very chatty and is as if they are having a conversation with you.
This broadcast includes 3 main segments, the first one being the news that is making the headlines. Obviously their are hundreds of stories making the headlines, but as Jack solent are a more male oriented radio station, they're going to choose the story that all listeners share an interest in. The first headline discusses a deal between welsh footballer Gareth Bale as he signs on to the world famous football team, Rio Madrid. This story began with a clip of the presenter introducing the headline, and then it cut to a pre recorded clip of Bale's ex Tottenam manager giving his opinion on the deal. This story only really has one or two news values, which is for entertainment purposes and the fact that it is of public interest to the male population.
Moving onto a more serious topic, the next headline in the broadcast spoke about how the American Government had recently found chemical gas within the warfare in Syria. Shortly after the headline is announced by the presenter, the story is then treated with a copy that discusses how American are planning on getting involved. Headlines from the US are always of public interest to all of us as they are our world leaders and it is important that we keep up to date with their movements as some of the things that happen or may happen can effect us over here in the UK.
And finally to follow this headline, it ends with a headline with news values purely of public interest. They use a local national story about a mother from Portsmouth who has been looking for help from the Government to get her children back from Oman after their father kidnapped them almost a year ago. Stories like this grab listeners attention as they are emotional. Listeners with children could maybe relate to the mother as they may have experienced worry or concern with their child about anything before. Parents can relate to the worry and upset. Following the presenter announcing the headline, they played a short clip from an interview with MP Penny Martin who had joined the mothers cause.
To finish the main section of news they used a variety of short stories either connected to the stereotypical males hobbies and also a few local stories. These stories have no connected audio and are not covered in a detailed manor. These stories include the news of a mostocyclists death in car crash, the Bournemouth air festival, the death of actor David Frost and an ad for a band looking for a new singer for their local Fareham based band.
The second radio station I have decided to analyse is BBC Radio 2. This radio station is a tax funded organisation, therefor the news we pay for has to fit a certain criteria. This is another Adult Contemporary radio station, that tailors their news towards a more mature audience, aimed at ages 30-50. The target audience are usually medium/working class and will be educated as within their broadcast's, Radio 2 discuss topics such a politics etc.
BBC Radio 2 have a very catchy and well remembered introduction tune.
The producer begins by introducing the radio station and then follows by wishing 'Good Morning' to the listeners. The language is very professional and formal. The producer continues on to introduce the headlines very briefly, and then goes on to elaborate on them all together. The broadcast is 5 minutes long.
The first story is mainly based on politics. It discusses the way the American government are persuading congress to take up arms because of the current situation in Syria. BBC's treatment of this story is a sound bite of a reporter that is currently in Washington where the head of he government is currently weighing the situation. By having this reporter there, they are not only gaining the latest information but they are also displaying the fact that they have deeper research into the subject and are covering every detail.
The next story is aimed more towards parents and families. It talks about how some pupils will have to re-sit some of their GCSE's if they do not achieve the minimum grade of a C. They again used a clip for the treatment of this story again with another correspondent that adds that extra expertise. This makes the story seem reliable and credible and this is what an older audience will want as they are less naive then younger generations.
The broadcast had many segments of headlines and a mixture of different types of stories. One example of a less serious headline, and more for entertainment purposes is the fact that scientists have established that european men are 4 inches taller than a century ago. They producer shares that this fact has been researched from 2 popular universities which will allow listeners to know that this is more credbile. They also announce the fact that this study has been published in Oxford economic papers. They then cut to another correspondent who elaborates on the story.
Other stories in this programme include Vodaphone sales decreasing by 45%. This was a short statistic based story that may be of interest to listeners with a strong buisness career. We then got a headline about the warning of pests increasing around the world due to global warming. This story was a short insight into the world around us and its development. To accompany these copy stories they also use a clip and discuss the European equal pay changes that could change working people lives this will effect BBC 2 audience as they tend to be professionals who hold down full time jobs.
Finally the last Radio Station I will be discussing is Heart South Coast. Again, this is an Adult Contempoary station and is recognized by it's famous slogan 'more music variety'. The first headline the presenter discusses is the pressure the prime minister is facing to consider a second vote on miltiary action in Syria. The presenter then goes on to state facts about the matter, very briefly. This story is of relevance to everybody as what normally happens in the US will effect us in some way or another. The second headline talks about Boris Johnson, and discusses how our troops should still be sent. It then cuts to a clip from an MP stating his opinion. After talking about Politics, the presenter changes topic to talk about child care, which is of great relevance to all listeners.
The producer then goes on too talk about Gareth Bale's famous football deal. This radio station is unisex and aimed at ages 25-40, so nearly everybody is going to have an interest in this story. Maybe not so much women, but if they have husbands or boyfriends or even girlfriends that are interested, it's helpful that they know what's going on.
The language is chatty and informal, and the pace is fast but relaxed all at the same time.
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