P3

This report will look into how radio shows can be distributed to their audience using different platforms and distribution methods. This image below shows the scientific/technological process that is behind creating radio waves:

Radio is available to listen to on multiple different platforms:

- AM

- FM

- DAB

- Online

- Freeview, Sky TV, and Virgin TV

DAB

DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is a digital transmission made up of binary (or ones and zeroes). It offers more space for radio stations at a better audio quality than FM or AM. With this type of radio, there are no frequency bands to stick to. The signal can be sent out multiple times therefore has a higher chance of being picked up. DAB radio also offers more variation in stations available. DAB may be more reliable for listening than FM because it doesn't suffer from interference. It also has a higher quality sound than AM, due to it sounding clearer and hiss free (thanks to technology that cancels out static and noise).

FM

FM (Frequency Modulation) is another from of radio broadcasting. FM use frequencies ranging from 87.5MHz to 108MHz. This type of radio can have better sound quality than DAB but the signal is more prone to dropping in and out. FM radio became more popular in the 70s and early 80s. Most music stations switched to FM in the 90s because it had better sound quality. FM radio also supports stereo sound (using multiple channels to convert multiple signals to sounds instead of a single channel for mono sound).

AM

AM (Amplitude Modulation) is the oldest system of radio broadcasting. AM has two different variations in Medium Wave and Long Wave. One of the disadvantage of AM is that it broadcasts in mono rather than stereo. This is considered very dated. The range of AM broadcasting is 540-1610kHz with a spacing of 10kHz between channels. AM radio was mostly popular in the early 1920a through to the 1940s which is also known as the "Golden Age of Radio". This is because AM radio was the main source of entertainment at home until it was replaced by TV. 

BBC RADIO 2 DISTRIBUTION

BBC Radio 2 is available on all different types of platforms, including AM, FM and DAB. This means that through a wide range of distribution methods, the station can reach a large number on listeners, no matter how they listen to radio. The radio station clearly states these different methods of listening on the "How to Listen" section on their website. Here, they detail where to locate the station.

Furthermore, the station is also available for live listening as well as catch up listening on the BBC Sounds website and app. This is online distribution of radio. In this app, there are also podcasts available that people can listen to. Podcasts are made available for more casual listening that the listener can choose when they want to listen to it themselves, instead of live broadcast radio. Podcasts also allow for more niche and specific topics to be covered, therefore appealing to more niche target audiences.

The stations audience is now primarily adults over the age of 35, however, in recent years it has attracted more younger listeners. Due to this changing target audience the station will have had to consider its distribution methods in order to target this audience more closely. For example, this includes making the station available digitally and on catch up on smartphones, laptops, etc. This is because the target audience is more likely to listen to the station this way as they are up to date with technology and modern. However, this radio station is also available to be listened to on TV aerial. Even though it isn't likely that people would use their TV to listen to radio, businesses commonly use it as a form of entertainment for their customers, as they will have these available rather than a radio.