Objectives:
- Grasp a basic knowledge of what UK Radio is and why/how it’s successful.
- Understand Radio Station Formats, and different types of Radio Show.
For this lesson, you’ll not need any specific software.
Initial Task:
What do you think of when you think about UK Radio? (5 Minute Task)
-List Keywords that you associate with UK Radio.
Background to Radio:
UK Radio has been a product for over 80 years, with 30 years of commercial Radio Broadcasting.
BBC, the UKs broadcasting giant formed in 1922 (18th October) and has since redeemed many national, regional and local stations to its name.
The BBC (British Broadcasting Company) started as local radio, mainly due to technical reasons – it was not possible to transmit programs to different areas at the same time. By the 1930s, the airwaves became more crowded and regional & national services were created.
Who Funds the BBC?
License fees are paid by every household, for TV & Radio – when the licenses first came out, you could buy a separate TV to Radio License – and also one for your car radio!
The fee costs £145.50 – Currently (2014) per year. (£12.13 /Month)
However, this is only 17% of the budget for the BBC.
Task:
How else do you think the license fee may be supplemented?
For example: Outside Events?
Current BBC Formats & Stations:
Currently, the BBC have many different Radio broadcasts around the UK from local stations; such as BBC Radio Kent or BBC Radio Devon, to National Broadcasts; such as BBC Radio 1, 2, 3, 4 and Radio 5 Live.
Music Radio on Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music and Asian Network
Speech, Drama, Analysis and the Arts on Radio 4
Classical Music and Jazz on Radio 3
News and Sport on 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra
Comedy, Drama and Childrens Programming on Radio 4 Extra
What is Radio Broadcasting?:
Basically, Radio Broadcasting is transmitting or recording voice, speech, music that is going to many different people at a time. It’s one-way and intended to reach a mass audience. They can be accessible to the public, or even just available to certain shops or retail chains. Such as ‘Asda FM’ – only played in Asda stores UK.
This Course:
Throughout this course, you’ll be informed on how to set up a Radio Production Broadcast environment, using hardware equipment as well as learning how to broadcast from the box (Through your computers alone!).
Radio Broadcasting can even just be recording a show before it goes live, and playing that show over the waves at a different time. We’ll cover Logic Pro set up & also, how to position your microphones for a good quality voice sound.
Read on for the next section – Setting up your Mics & Mic Placement.