The document discusses different types of radio stations defined by their broadcast area: local stations which broadcast within a small area; regional stations which broadcast within a specific region; national stations which broadcast nationwide; internet-only stations; and community stations which serve a small local community. It also discusses DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) technology and provides examples of different radio stations, including Capital, Sam FM, and Wave 105, noting their target audiences and current owners, which can sometimes influence a station's coverage or offerings.
2. Local Radio station
A local radio station is a radio station that only
broadcasts to specific, small local areas. They
provide more accurate content to their
geographical location for example their traffic
update would be closer to where you live and not
50 miles away. An example of a local radio station
would be Isle of Wight radio or The breeze as well
as many others.
3. Regional Radio station
A regional radio station are radio stations
available in specific areas or geographical
regions of the country only this might include
places like South west, South east, west
midlands, London, North east, Scotland,
Northern Ireland, etc. An example of a regional
radio station would be Heart or Capital.
4. National Radio station
A national radio station is radio
that is broadcast and can be
received nationally so a whole
country is able to access this
radio and appeals to everyone
up and down the country. An
example of a national radio
would be BBC radio.
5. Internet only Radio stations
Internet radio stations are radio stations that can only be listened to
on the internet - hence the title! This is supported by technology as
this generation are into gadgets and computers, however it still isnât
as popular. An example of an internet radio station would be Radio
free Brooklyn or Fine music FM.
6. Community Radio station
Community radio stations typically cover a small geographical area with a coverage radius
of up to 5km and run on a not-for-profit basis. They can cater for whole communities or for
different areas of interest - such as a particular ethnic group, age group or interest group.
Community radio stations reflect a diverse mix of cultures and interests. For example, you
can listen to stations which cater for urban or experimental music, while others are aimed
at younger people, religious communities or the Armed Forces and their families.
Community radio was originally known as Access radio. An example of community radio
would be ALL FM or Angel radio.
7. DAB radio station
DAB radio (digital audio broadcasting) is a
digital radio technology for broadcasting radio
stations, used in several countries across
Europe and Asia Pacific. The DAB standard
was initiated as a European research project in
the 1980âs.
DAB provides listeners with more choice,
digital sound quality and more information. An
example of DAB radio would be BBC radio 1 or
KISS.
9. Capital
Capital: It was the UK first National,
commercial, hit music radio station,
and today reaches 7.1 million people
every single week. The station
currently has 7.1 listeners per week
with the target market aiming to 14-34
year olds.
âThis is globalâ is who currently owns
Capital FM
10. Sam FM
Sam FM (south coast) is an adult hits format radio station
broadcasting to a stretch of the English south coast on
106 MHz and 106.6 MHz FM and on DAB digital. The
former Jack FM stations in Swindon, Bristol and Solent,
which are all now branded as Sam FM, all lost listeners
this quarter. Sam FM South Coast, which has just
requested a format change, lost the most listeners, going
from 216,000 to 178,000.
Sam FM runs with a strapline of âweâre in chargeâ which
does mean that theyâre in charge of the music and donât
play requests.
A company called âCeladorâ now currently owns Sam FM.
11. Wave 105Wave 105 is a British regional, commercial radio
station broadcasting across east Dorset, south
Hampshire, Isle of Wight and parts of west Sussex
and Wiltshire. Playing a mix of adult contemporary
music, it combines presenter-led shows with local
news and information, entertainment guides and
competitions.
Wave 105 revealed its highest listening figures ever
in December 2013. Audience research from RAJAR
showed the station had 438,000 people tuning in, for
an average of 10.3 hours a week, delivering
4,520,000 total listening hours each week, making it
the commercial leader in the south of England.
Wave 105 is currently owned by âBauerâ.
12. Why does ownership matter?
Ownership matters because sometimes it can effect the way in which a broadcaster
might cover a news story or offer a competition, etc.