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.
