Live Lounge

Monday 20th May 2019                                   Live Lounge

L.O. explore the industry and audience behind the Live Lounge.

• BBC radio 1 aimed at 15-29 year olds
• Mix of new music and entertainment
• Definite intertextual references to pop culture

BBC Radio 1 remit

• 'to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech.'
• It's target audience is 15-29 year olds and should also provide some programming for young teenagers.
• Offer a range of new music, supports emerging artists - especially those from the UK - and provide a platform for live music.

How have they met the remit in their web-page to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners?

They have included many artists from the UK, such as Little Mix and Lewis Capaldi, both of whom are artists under the pop music genre. They also have current pop stars that are very popular with young listeners, such as Billie Eilish. They have a young presenter (Greg James) who is a similar age to the target audience, and is likely to relate and entertain younger listeners. They have a Little Mix quiz so that the young listeners are entertained and engaged to see how much they know about a current and popular girl group. There is also a whole section on Live Music, which is part of their remit.


Convergence

• Merging technology due to digitalisation. BBC can be accessed many different ways (Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), FM Radio, Long Wave (LW), Medium Wave (MW), Freeview TV, Sky TV, Virgin TV, online, on mobile phones, apps, digital music players, smart speakers.
• The Live Lounge section made a deal with Vevo so artist's Live Lounge performance are put onto Vevo. This is an advantage because if someone watches one, they might listen to more and therefore BBC Radio 1 may receive more viewers. It is also beneficial because both companies receive a larger target audience. It is an advantage for the audience because they can both listen and watch performances, and can go back and watch it as many times as they like.
• The website for Live Lounge includes direct links to Radio 1 and 1Xytra to allow users easy migration to their main radio stations. Also links to videos, photos and galleries so more information about the Live Lounge can be accessed.

• Regulated by OFCOM
• If people complain against radio or TV stations, OFCOM have to investigate to determine whether the broadcasting code has been breached.
• OFCOM exists to ensure the broadcasting code is upheld and that listeners are protected from harmful/offensive material, unfair treatment and loss of privacy.
• OFCOM also need to make sure, in terms of plurality (a range of viewpoints and prevention of one media owner or voice having too much influence over public opinion) that opinions are fair and unbiased as the BBC should be.
• Protection of under 15: re-scheduling things that may impair the physical, mental or moral development of people under 18 must not be broadcasted pre-watershed.

BBC Radio 1Xtra

• Live Lounge is broadcasted on Radio 1 and Radio 1 Xtra
• 1Xtra can only be listened to digitally, whereas Radio 1 can be listened to both digitally and analogue.
• Being hosted by Radio 1 or 1xtra allows artists to be broadcasted across the two, so artists receive a larger target audience.
• Presenters: Clara Amfo (ex-kids TV presenter, interned in KissFM and was nominated for a Sony Radio Award as a 'rising star', known for her interest in music in particular, became a 1Xtra host in 2015); and Ace and Vis (became presenters in 2004, left in 2012, Ace returned in 2014).

• Live Lounge is popular because it gets well-known artists to play their own songs, and other songs (perhaps of a genre that they wouldn't usually do) to perform live and acoustically in an intimate setting.
• Audiences may also hear artists that they haven't heard of, so it is a good opportunity for listeners to find new artists that they may enjoy.
• It can also be watched/played back online which encourages even more people to listen or watch a Live Lounge performance.

Most recent Live Lounge: Lewis Capaldi

• Background: learned to play guitar when he was 9, and began his musical career singing in pubs aged 12.
• Age: 22
• Where he's from: Glasgow, Scotland
• Genre: pop, folk rock
• Current songs: Someone You Loved, Bruises, Grace, Lost on You
• Current album: Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
• Critical reception: good reception, described as 'a sensation' by The Independent
• Awards: The Brit Awards - Critics' Choice Award for 2019, Scottish Music Awards - Best Breakthrough Artist Award, MTV - Brand New for 2019 Award.

Example Question: 

Explain how and why producers of radio programmes target different audiences. Refer to the Radio 1 Live Lounge to support your answer.