The document discusses different types of radio stations in the UK, including commercial radio stations that are funded through advertising, public service broadcasting (PSB) stations like BBC radio that are funded by television licenses, and non-profit community radio stations. It also covers new technologies that have expanded how people can listen to radio, such as digital audio broadcasting (DAB) and internet radio, as well as various professional organizations and job roles within the radio industry.

1. Understanding the Radio Industry

2. Commercial radioCommercial radio is radio funded by advertising. Throughout programming, commercial radio will occasionally break for adverts from which it draws its funding. The radio station will charge CPT (Cost per thousand) which means that every one thousand listeners that the advert gets. They will be charged a fee.The three biggest Commercial radio stations are Absolute Radio, Classic Fm and Talk SPORT. These channels are available nationally. Galaxy, Radio Aire and Real Radio are regional stations. Galaxy Radio is owned by Global Radio. It’s entire network reaches nearly 4 million people per month.Radio Aire is owned by Bauer Radio and reaches 112 thousand people a monthAnd Real Radio Is owned by GMG, and it’s Yorkshire branch reaches over 300 thousand people a month.

3. PSBPublic service broadcasting is funded via TV licences bought by the UK public. PSB is supposed to be for the benefit of the public, and is not there to make a profit. All BBC radio stations and television station’s are PSB’s. Ofcom set’s tight regulations on which channels have to fulfil certain requirements of Public Service Broadcasting.

4. New technologiesOver recent years, there has been more and more ways to listen to the radio. It’s not longer a case of tuning in on a frequency. One major leap in new technologies are DAB(digital audio band) Radio’s. These can pick up a vast quantity of radio stations that a regular analogue radio can’t. It also gets a much clearer signal, although it is slightly delayed. Another way to listen to the radio is on a computer. Internet radio is available for example through BBC’s iplayer

5. Non For Profit Radio There are hundred’s of non profit radio stations in the UK also known as “community radio” stations. Two local Pudsey stations are FYDP and PGFM. Both set up for the betterment of their communities, and neither make a profit. It’s common for universities and collages to set up radio stations on a non for profit basis.

6. Job RolesJob roles on the radio are getting slowly more consolidated as time moves on, this could be a cost saving measure. Towards the later half of the 20th centaury a presenter did nothing but president. And would have no knowledge of switch boards and mixing desks. However now it is not un common for a radio presenter to be in charge of the mixing desks. To have quite a knowledge in audio engineering. And to script their own shows.

7. Professional BodiesNational Association Of Broadcasters (NAB)The national accociationfo broadcasters protects radio broadcasters that broadcast on a for-profit basis(commercial radio)Commercial Radio Companies AssociationIs an accociation of the commercial radio stations. They fight to keep up their profits by suing pirate radio stations for example.Community Media Associationis a uk membership group that protects the interests of non-profit community radio stationsAdvertising Standards AuthorityIs the governing body that sets down codes for advertising on radio and tv. They prevent adds that may be offensive for instance for the enjoyment of the public. Performing Rights Society Alliance This group protects the rights to royalties of performers, writers and producers of music. So that they are played the proper royalties.

8. Employment in the radio sectorTheir are over 22,000 people employed in the radio sector in the UK, the largest employer of this is the BBC as it has a massive amount of radio stations nationally, and many regional ones. Over 2000 people are employed in the community sector alone.