How is the BBC Breakfast show reaching, targeting and encouraging audience interaction?

How is the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show reaching, targeting and encouraging audience interaction? 750 words

The BBC have used a variety of techniques to appeal to their audience. The BBC breakfast show plan to engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech. Its target audience is 15-29 year old's. This audience is relatively young, the newer generations are more integrated into newer technologies. Stereotypical connotations are notified that radio is dated. This proves a difficult task for the radio station.

Radio 1 has used a strategy to provide stories and topics relevant to their target audience. They are calling it the “trail of breadcrumbs”. The scheme is to analyse their audience by tracking what the audience is interested in through monitoring comments and feedback, the broadcaster can try to stay relevant to younger audiences. Platforms such as YouTube and Twitter have helped BBC Radio 1 connect with its target audience of 15-29 year olds. They are using this scheme to attract people to the radio station through the newer technological platforms such as the internet, video and social media. Using these they can build a reliable strong audience which will in the long run grow due to publicity.

The radio breakfast show helps to entice the audience through various contraptions such as competitions and games that potentially if won or done correctly leads to a significant reward (e.g. a shout out, or tickets to visit somewhere). This concept links to the BBC’s vision to be the most creative organization in the world. The target audience is incorporated alongside with the music choice and genre as the audience that listen enjoy the music and tune back into the vast playlists or remixes.

 They manage to get the audience to return is due to the originality of the show, many factors such as the formal tone, competitions and providing various services such as the radio 1 big weekend - the big festival with live music and special guests-. Various games are played in prime time for the audience to get involved with such as replying to celebs worst reviews, this therefore encourages the audience's opinion which then has a domino effect.

The Breakfast builds a regular audience and interacts with them through consistency. The Radio 1 Breakfast show has a trend formed to regular news, music and personal stories. The news is broadcasted every 30 mins where headlines are discussed for example, Brexit, crimes and healthcare issues. Music is the pinnacle of radio, BBC Radio 1 predominantly play British produced music (53%). This is done due to the regulations of rights to play certain music, also it provides British pride. Often personal stories or scenarios are told by the presenter. For example, Greg James talks about his exercise habits. This provides the audience to connect with the radio station on a more personal and intimate level.

The host of the show has a dedicated role to keep the audience interested and engaged in the show on a regular basis. The Radio 1 breakfast presenter is called Greg James. He is tailored to the target audience of 15-29.  Personal experiences can be shared on topics which can be related to younger audiences, this increases the connectivity between host and audience causing a stronger more consistent audience.

Greg James also has a history of celebrity activity, such as He has hosted BBC festivals, done drive-time, participated in the Gregathlon for children in need, and been a guest appearance in doctor who, Lorraine, celebrity juice and more. James is a very well-known presenter through the BBC and radio and TV and is well-loved by his audience.  

In conclusion, the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast show draws many listeners everyday and is a very successful program. It correctly appeals to its target audience to generate regular innovative program.