The document provides an overview of the radio industry in the UK, describing its four main sectors: publicly-funded BBC radio, commercial radio, and community and voluntary radio. It discusses the various BBC radio stations nationally and regionally, as well as the three main commercial radio stations. It also outlines how commercial radio stations are funded through advertising and events. Community radio aims to serve very local communities and relies on a mix of funding sources. The document concludes by noting the role of the Community Media Association in supporting community radio and television projects in the UK.

1. Unit 9 Understanding the
Radio Industry
Tutor: Paul Rossington
Paul Rossington
BTEC Level 3 ExtendedDiplomain Creative MediaProduction

2. 1. Trademarks;
Unit introduction
Radio is one of the fastest growing media industries. At the time of writing there are literally hundreds
of radio stations in the UK providing a mix of every type of radio, and the number is increasing. The
development of digital, community and internet radio means there are more opportunities than ever
before to enter this vibrant industry. No matter what job role is undertaken, an understanding of
organisational behaviour and how to function in the broadcast environment of a radio station, or as a
member of a production team in a smaller independent production company is essential. It is also
important to understand the range of technology used in the industry.
The commercial radio sector is driven by income generated from radio advertising and knowledge of
the importance of this funding stream is fundamental to understanding how the industry is financed.
Community radio, on the other hand, is required by the broadcasting regulator to create ‘social gain’
through what it produces, and an understanding of what that means is vital to those who aspire to
work in that area of the industry.
Personnel officers in broadcast radio often observe that initial applications to work in the industry are
not backed by a commitment to the medium. Potential radio station employees should be familiar with
the range of programming that their target station puts out. Whether the would-be radio worker is
looking at news journalism, presenting music sequences,intelligent speech,factual, educational, radio
comedy, talk, sport or radio commercial production, an understanding of how the output from one
radio station differs from the output of another radio station is essential. This also involves knowing
about the target audience of a radio station and how that audience is identified.
In this unit you will develop an understanding of the way the four main sectors of the radio industry
are organised, structured and financed. You will be made aware of the range of jobs, besides that of
presenter,that are available in the industry and the working conditions and contractual obligations that
pertain to them. You will understand the legal and ethical constraints that apply to broadcasting
programmes irrespective of the target audience and that everyone working in radio is affected by and
should understand them.
The unit concludes by providing an opportunity for you to prepare for progression into your chosen
career path in the radio industry.
On completion of this unit you should:
1 Understand organisational structures and ownership in the UK radio industry
2 Understand job roles, working practices and employment contracts in the UK radio industry
3 Understand the role of the regulatory bodies, legal and ethical issues relevant to the UK radio
industry
4 Understand developing technologies in the UK radio industry
5 Be able to prepare for employment in the UK radio industry.

3. 1. Trademarks;
The Radio Industry
Sectors and Stakeholders
Attempting to define exactly what constitutes the radio industry in a converging media world is like
trying to hit a moving target. The definition adopted for our purposes identifies three principle sectors
– differentiated primarily by the way they are funded
 Publicly funded radio: BBC national and local radio
 Commercial radio
 Community & voluntary radio
In order to be able to explore both the common ground and the differences in perspective and
priorities in addressing future skills development needs, it will help to have a more detailed picture of
each sector and some of the issues they face.
Radio industry sectors:
Commercial Radio
Publicly-funded radio
Community Radio

4. 1. Trademarks;
Publicly-funded radio:
BBC national & local radio
The BBC is the biggest single employer in the radio industry employing almost 11,000 people to
provide its portfolio of national and local services. These consist of 11 national UK services
(including the World Service), and a range of more local stations:
 40 Local Radio stations in the English Regions – with current plans to create a further four
 six dedicated radio services in the Nations - Radio Scotland, Radio Nan Gaidheal, Radio
Ulster, Radio Foyle, Radio Wales, Radio Cymru
 11 national stations: Radios 1, 2, 3, 1Xtra, 6 Music are primarily music based; Radio 4, Five
Live, Five Live Sports Extra, BBC 7 and the World Service are speech-based; and the BBC
Asian Network a mix of both.
The BBC Audio & Music department (director: Tim Davie) runs five national networks which are
currently based in London and broadcast throughout the UK. All are available on DAB radio sets, via
digital television including Freeview, and online.
National Networks
 Radio 1 (97-99 FM) - Contemporary music, entertainment and news
 Radio 2 (88-91 FM) - Popular music and speech for over 35s
 Radio 3 (90- 92 FM) - Classical music and arts
 Radio 4 (92-96 FM, AM [197 long wave]) - News,current affairs,drama, comedy and factual
programmes
 Radio 5 Live (AM [909 and 693 medium wave]) - Live news and sport
Digital Only Services
BBC A&M is also responsible for 5 national networks broadcast exclusively on digital platforms
(mostly DAB and DTV) and online.
 1 Xtra - Contemporary black and urban music
 Radio 4 Extra - Classic comedy and drama
 Radio 5 Live Sports Extra - Live sports coverage
 6 Music - Pop and rock music inc archive sessions
 The Asian Network - music and speech for UK Asian communities
The BBC's Radio Stations
Radio 1 broadcasts a distinctive mix of new music and entertainment for 15-29
year olds as well as providing tailored news,documentaries and advice campaigns for young adults.

5. 1. Trademarks;
1Xtra plays the best in contemporary Hip Hop and RnB with a strong emphasis
on new and live music. The digital station blends the best black music with entertainment,
documentaries and news for 15-24 year olds.
The network broadcasts a unique mix of distinctive music and speech
programmes covering a diverse mix of live pop and rock concerts,comedy, documentaries and
religious output, as well as running social action campaigns to over 13 million listeners.
The home of the BBC's arts and cultural broadcasting, BBC Radio 3 is best
known for it's classical music output, but also makes programmes dedicated to jazz and world music
as well as a number of speech programmes, documentaries and drama.
BBC Radio 4 is a mixed speech radio station, offering in-depth news and
current affairs and a wide range of other speech programmes including drama, readings, comedy,
factual and magazine programmes.
Launched in December 2002 originally as BBC 7, the station was relaunched in
April 2011 as BBC Radio 4 Extra. The digital-only network is the principal outlet for the BBC's
archive of speech entertainment, including comedy, drama and readings.
Radio 5 Live broadcasts continuous news and live sports coverage,bringing
major news stories and sports events as they happen to the listener, and provide context through wide-
ranging analysis and discussion.
5 Live Sports Extra brings a greater choice of live action to sports fans by
extending the live coverage of various sporting events.

6. 1. Trademarks;
BBC Radio 6 Music is a digital radio station that entertains lovers of popular
music with a service that celebrates the alternative spirit of popular music from the 60s to the present
day.
BBC Asian Network provides speech and music output appealing to the British
Asian communities.
Nations & Regions
Listeners in the nations can receive Radio Scotland (English) and Radio Nan Gàidheal (Gaelic), Radio
Wales (English) and Radio Cymru (Welsh) and, in Northern Ireland, Radio Ulster and Radio Foyle.
BBC English Regions operates 40 local radio stations, broadcasting a mix of news and conversation,
from Newcastle to Jersey and Norfolk to Cornwall.
BBC Scotland is responsible for a wide range of services on TV,radio and online including news and
current affairs, comedy, drama and factual programming specifically for audiences in Scotland. It is
also a partner in the Gaelic-speaking channel, BBC ALBA.
BBC Cymru Wales produces a wide range of programming and content in English and in Welsh for
television, radio and online audiences in Wales and on network. Its Roath Lock studios are home to
some of the BBC’s most popular dramas.
BBC Northern Ireland produces a diverse range of local and network content for the BBC including
factual, entertainment, comedy, drama, religion events and sport; with a specialism in local and
network news and current affairs provision. It is also home to Northern Ireland's most listened to radio
stations BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle.

7. 1. Trademarks;
The BBC English Regions make news, current affairs, politics, arts and music,
factual, religion, sport and weather for local television, radio and web services.
The BBC’s new base at MediaCityUK, Salford Quays is home to BBC Children’s, BBC Learning, the
BBC Philharmonic, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Religion & Ethics and BBC Sport as well as BBC Radio
Manchester,North West Tonight and Inside Out and selected departments from BBC Audio & Music,
BBC Vision and BBC Future Media. In April 2012 BBC Breakfast will move to the site.
International
International listeners can receive the BBC's World Service, which broadcasts around the world in
English and 27 other languages.
TASKS
1. Why does the BBC have so many different radio stations?
The BBC has a range of different radio stations as they have to have entertainment for the public
For example, a large population of the public enjoy sports so the BBC provides a station which
is based around talking about live sports and keeping the public informed.
2. How much of the TV license fee is spent on radio?
A TV licence costs £12.13 p/m a total of £2.30 is used for radio stations.
3. Why do you think Nick Grimshaw replaced Chris Moyles on the BBC 1 Radio breakfast
show?
I think the main reason Nick Grimshaw replaced Chris Moyles is because Nick Grimshaw
is a fun, new and vibrant which is key for a successfulradio show. Also, Chris Moyles main
genre was mainly rock whereas Nick Grimshaw specialises in a range of different genres
and plays them on the show to fit a wider range of target audiences.

8. 1. Trademarks;

9. 1. Trademarks;
Commercial radio
Commercial radio licenses are awarded by Ofcom, a government body which advertises a license for
an area and holds a so-called beauty contest to determine which station will be granted permission to
broadcast in that area. Stations submit detailed application documents containing their proposed
format and the outcome of research to determine the demand for their particular style of broadcast.
Original 106 (Aberdeen) was the last radio station to be granted a license by Ofcom.
Most local commercial stations in the United Kingdom broadcast to a city or group of towns within a
radius of 20-50 miles, with a second tier of regional stations covering larger areas such as North West
England. The predominant format is pop music, but many other tastes are also catered for,particularly
in London and the larger cities, and on digital radio.
Rather than operating as independent entities, many local radio stations are owned by large radio
groups which broadcast a similar format to many areas. The largest operator of radio is Global Radio
which bought the former media group, Gcap Media. It owns Classic FM and London's most popular
commercial station, 95.8 Capital FM. Other owners are Bauer Radio and UTV Radio, which mainly
own stations that broadcast in highly populated city areas.
National Commercial Radio
There are three national commercial stations broadcasting on FM or AM throughout the UK as well as
via DAB,DTV and online.
 Classic FM (100-103 FM) - classical music
 Absolute Radio (AM [mostly 1215 medium wave]) - rock and pop music
 talkSPORT (AM [mostly 1089/1053 medium wave]) - live sport and debate
Commercial Radio in London
The most popular local commercial stations in London are:
 Heart 106.2
 Capital 95.8
 LBC 97.3
 Magic 105.4
National Brands
Some stations have been collected into networks, sharing some programmes and syndicated output.
Global Radio
 Heart
 Galaxy
 Gold
 Xfm

10. 1. Trademarks;
Bauer Media
 Kiss
 Magic
Guardian Media Group
 Real Radio
 Rock Radio
 Smooth Radio
TASKS
1. How do commercial radio stations attract funding?
2.
3. Commerical radio stations attract funding by including adverts during the show and hosting
events for example Capital FM has a concert called Jingle Bell Ball which is extremely
successfulas a lot of different artists are there and will attract many different target
audiences.
4. Explain the term ‘high-rotation’?
5. What is the relationship between music labels and commercial radio playlist managers?
Both music labels and radio playlist managers both have a strong impact on each other. Music
labels need to give radio stations songs to play. When playing songs on the radio to the audience, it
allows people to give opinions on the songs which may persuade the listeners to buy the artists album
or song they like, It is important that radio stations get fresh music to play, otherwise the audience
may get bored of listening to the same songs over and over again.
6. Who are the PRS and what do they do?
PRS is a company which specialises in representing singer, songwriters and composers. The company
collects licence fees from music businesses. Over 10 million songs from every genre are in the
company’s repertoire.
The term ‘highrotation’isalsoknownasspins.It basicallymeanshow manytimesasonggets
if a songgetsplayedover20 timesduringa radiostation,thismeansthe songhas a high
rotation.The songsoftenconsideredtohave ahighrotationare catchy,popularsongsand
mainlymainstream.

11. 1. Trademarks;

12. 1. Trademarks;
Community and voluntary radio
This sector encompasses the range of not-for-profit organisations offering radio services to specific
communities at a very local level. It is in the process of considerable growth – particularly due to the
latest round of community radio licence awards by Ofcom which is on-going.
This sector is estimated to employ about 2000 people, but this ranges from BFBS with some 120
employees, through community radio stations with a small core staff to other organisations almost
totally reliant on volunteers.
So they are very different organisations but with the common aim of providing niche radio services
tailored to the needs of distinct communities, enjoying the closest of relationships with their
audiences.
So from the perspective of the other radio sectors they offer opportunity for partnership and learning,
for connecting with under-served communities – and an environment in which talent may be
identified and developed that could go on to further success in the wider industry.
Community Radio
Community Radio stations are small, micro-local stations who offer training and opportunities for
those looking to get involved with radio locally.
Community Radio provides an opportunity for people of all ages to get involved with broadcasting
and give something back to their local community
Licensing
Ofcom invites applications for community radio licenses on a region-by-region basis.
To obtain a community radio licence, applicants must demonstrate that the proposed station will meet
the needs of a specified target community, together with required "social gain" objectives set out in
the application. These usually take the form of a commitment to train local people in broadcasting
skills or provide a certain amount of programming aimed at an underserved section of the population.
Community radio stations are usually limited to broadcast areas within a 5 kilometre radius of their
transmitter. The normal allocated power for a new community station in an urban area is 25 watts
vertically polarised, although most allocations permit the addition of a further 25 watts horizontally
polarised. For some rural stations these limits are increased to 50 watts vertical plus 50 watts
horizontal.
Funding
Community stations are not permitted to raise more than 50% of their operating costs from a single
source, including on-air sponsorship and advertising. The remainder of operating costs must be met
through other sources.

13. 1. Trademarks;
However,where a community radio station lies totally within the transmission area of a commercial
station with a population coverage of under 150,000, no sponsorship or advertising may be sought and
all funding must come from alternative sources. In a small number of areas where a commercial
station covers a population of under 150,000, a community station may not be licensed at all. This
protects the financial interests of smaller commercial stations.
The Community Media Association
The Community Media Association is the UK representative body for the Community Media sector
and is committed to promoting access to the media for people and communities. It aims to enable
people to establish and develop community based communications media for empowerment, cultural
expression, information and entertainment. Background
Founded in 1983, the CMA is a non-profit making organisation, supporting Community Radio and
Television and community-based Internet projects. It represents Community Media to Government,
industry and regulatory bodies.
Membership currently exceeds 600, bringing together established organisations, aspirant groups and
individuals within the sector. The CMA provides a range of advice, information and consultancy,
offering support to anyone with an interest in the sector.
TASKS
1. Who is the community radio broadcaster in the local area?
The local community radio is 94.4FM Salford City Radio.
2. When were they established?
It was first established on 30th September 2007.
3. Where are they located?
They are based in Salford, Manchester.

14. 1. Trademarks;
Hospital Radio
Hospital Radio is a form of audio broadcasting produced specifically for the in-patients of hospitals
and offers opportunities to people of all abilities and ages to get involved with broadcasting.
Hospital radio is delivered either through bedside units, by low-powered AM or FM licence, or over
the Internet. Live programming is limited to the times that stations' volunteer members can attend
studios - generally evenings and weekends.
Volunteers
Volunteers are usually trained by the station and take part in regular broadcasts which may include
hospital news, patient songs requests and interviews. Volunteers may be attached to a particular
weekly programme, or may work to keep the station's record library or computer systems up-to-date.
Most also visit the hospital wards,to discuss the music that patients would like to hear,providing
valuable interaction with non-medical staff.
Many professional radio presenters volunteer for hospital radio in their early career,as it provides a
training ground for budding broadcasters. Such broadcasters include: Chris Moyles, Scott Mills, Huw
Stephens, Karl Pilkington, Ken Bruce,Christian O'Connell, Simon Mayo, Phillip Schofield.
Student radio
Student Radio stations broadcast from a place of education such as a college or university.
Programming may be exclusively by students, or may include individuals from the wider community.
Many student stations carry a variety of programming including news (often local), sports (often
relating to the campus), and spoken word programming as well as general music. Student radio
stations also often provide airplay and promotional exposure to new and emerging local artists.
Volunteering
Student Radio offers various opportunities to students to learn and practice broadcasting. However,
you may not have to be a student to be involved in student radio, but opportunities will vary from
station to station.
Most stations now broadcast online, and some operate on the FM waveband for short periods at a time
under the Restricted Service Licence scheme,while others choose to broadcast full-time on the AM
waveband using an LPAM licence. There are only five UK student radio stations permitted to
broadcast all year on LPFM. None of these licences provides for a reception area greater than four
kilometres from the point of transmission.

15. 1. Trademarks;
WORKSHEET
Give examples of the types of station operating in the UK
National Radio
Stations
Regional Radio
Local Radio
Community Radio
Digital Audio
Broadcasters
(DAB)

16. 1. Trademarks;
Internet Radio
Satellite Radio
Hospital Radio
Student Radio

17. 1. Trademarks;
Pirate Radio
Understand the role ofthe regulatory bodies,legal and ethical issues
relevant to the UK radio industry
Describe the roles of the following regulatory bodies in the UK radio industry:
1. Ofcom;
2. Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA);
The CRCA represents radio channels to government and other organizations concerned with radio
and broadcasting.
3. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA);
The main duties ASA does is act on any complaints, progressively checking the media to see if
any harmful or offensive advertisements are being used.
Ofcomhas the role of controllingwhatthe audiencecansee onTV, Radioandall othermedia
basedplatforms.Ofcommakessure thatmainlyunder18s are protected;forexample
restrictionsof usingsexual images,inappropriate lyricsinasong,illegal activities,violent
and/ordangerousbehaviour.Some majorcompanieswhouse Ofcomare BBC,ITV,BSKYB, Syco
alongwithmanydifferentothers.

18. 1. Trademarks;
4. Mechanical Copyright Protection Society-Performing Rights Society Alliance (MCPS-PRS)
When publishing, recording, broadcasting or performing you are required to register on the
MCPS. This covers copyright on any piece what has been made either with writing, singing or
playing an instrument.
Describe what the following legal terms mean in regard to the UK radio industry:
1. Regulatory requirements
These are rules from the government which include licences and restrictions. They must be
followed when producing any products.
2. Compliance;
Compliance means following a wish, request or demand.
3. Copyright;
Copyright is protection given to authors/creators of original works. Copyright does not protect
facts, ideas or systems.
4. +Intellectual property;
Having an intellectual property stops people stealing or copying the names of products you
have created,the design and packaging of your products, things you write, make or produce.

19. 1. Trademarks;
A trademark is a recognisable sign which identifies a product and protects the product so no other
person or company can steal the product.
5. Implications of franchising;
A big franchise in the UK is Capital FM they can broadcast in lots of areas including Capital
Birmingham, Capital East Midlands, Capital London, Capital North West and many more.
6. Licensors;
This is a person who gives another a license for example a business giving someone a license to
sell the product.
7. Health and safety policy;
A health and safety policy sets a generalapproach together which you have put in place for
Health and safety purposes in a company it is mostly in a poster format which is able to see by the
public when needed.
8. Acts of parliament, eg Broadcasting Act 1990 (and later amendments)
The acts of parliamentforBroadcastingAct1990 requiredalot of changesincludingall ITV
franchisestobe put upfor sale and to be awardedonfinancial grounds.Also,discussionof
differentwaystopay forTV viewingtohelpthe publicpayinmore beneficial waysforthemi.e.
monthlypayments
The acts of parliamentforBroadcastingAct1996 requiredlesschangesasa lotof thingsinthe
industrywere changedduring1990 butthe followingdidchange;more interestinmonitoring,
researchingandconfrontanystandardsand fairnessinbroadcasting.

20. 1. Trademarks;
TASKS
Describe some of the ethical issues that impact on individuals and companies in the UK radio
industry:
(policies and procedures; ethical requirements; emerging social concerns and expectations)

21. 1. Trademarks;
Independent production
The independent radio production community is very small in comparison with its TV equivalent.
Data from the Skillset Census suggests it employs about 400 people (compared with over 20,000 for
its TV equivalent) but returns from employers in this field were low and the figures are not very
robust.
This is one area of intelligence gathering that needs to be addressed to build a clearer picture of the
size of this community in future.
The Radio Independents Group (RIG) has over 90 members big and small and considers that it
represents about two-thirds of the total independent radio sector – but there is overlap with the TV
indie sector as some of the bigger TV independents have a radio operation too, and so belong to both
RIG and PACT (The Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television)
Independent radio production has been in existence since 1990 when the BBC awarded its first
commission and according to RIG it produces over £12m worth of programming – mostly for the
BBC but some for commercial radio.
RIG continues to lobby to increase the BBC radio independent commissioning quota, and in the hope
of seeing a growth in commissioning from the commercial sector it also backed the Channel 4
national digital multiplex bid – with its promise of another commissioning route for a number of
genres, As part of Skillset’s focus group radio research the issue of access to training for the
independent sector to keep them abreast of the latest technological developments was seen as critical
to the sector’s continuing success
Ofcom
Ofcom is the regulator and licensing authority for radio in the UK as part of its wider remit for the
whole communications industry. It was established in 2002 and its statutory duties determined by the
2003 Communications Act.
During 2007 Ofcom conducted a major consultation with the radio industry about a new framework
for regulation and licensing – in recognition of the transformation which the industry is undergoing
with the emergence of new platforms and the eventual move from analogue to digital broadcasting.
Ofcom’s proposals were set out in its document “The Future of Radio”. A final report “The Future of
Radio – The Next Phase” was published in November 2007. The decisions, further proposals and
recommendations to Government in this report will support Parliament’s and the public’s desire to see
commercial radio continue to play its role as a provider of diverse services with a strong local
character and to encourage the further development and sustainability of community radio. They will
also reduce the regulatory burden on commercial and community radio.

22. 1. Trademarks;
A RADIO SKILLSETFOR THE FUTURE
Just as it is hard to predict just what the radio industry is going to look like in the future – so it is
difficult to say with certainty what the ideal skill set for that industry might be.
There is, however, general agreement across all the sectors that content is still the key to future
success – creating it and understanding how to exploit it.
So that is a good starting point. To create and exploit compelling content the radio industry of the
future is going to need a workforce with breadth and depth.
Breadth of knowledge and awareness about the radio industry and the wider multi-media
environment, generaltransferable work and life skills, and a basic grasp of a number of industry skills
to offer a multi-skilled approach
Depth of specialism and expertise in particular fields, an understanding of the enduring concepts and a
commitment to continually renewing the more transient specialist skills as technologies evolve
It may be possible to do well in the industry at the outset with breadth or depth but for long-term
career development you are likely to need both. The industry will need multi-skilled talent to deliver
flexibility and adaptability; it will need technical and creative specialists to break new ground and
deliver great content; and ultimately it will need the hybrids combining specialist skills with high
level conceptual knowledge to recognise new possibilities and understand how to exploit them.
This will be relevant across the range of disciplines that make up the radio industry, key among which
are:
 Presentation - applied to a number of genres: music; features and documentary; journalism
and sport
 Production - across all genres developing multi-media content from the starting point of great
audio
 Sales, marketing and fundraising - developing specialist skills in these fields relevant to radio,
for each sector of the industry
 Technical operations, support and development - likely to be evolving roles along with the
technology, from traditional sound specialists, through IT to roles not thought of yet
 Broadcast engineering - constantly evolving specialist skills to support the changing radio
industry and which are presently in short supply
 Management & leadership - will be needed at all levels of the industry: high level business
skills tailored to the needs of the radio industry - strategic thinking, risk-taking, innovation,
collaboration, project management, managing change and motivating other people
 Support roles - finance, HR, training & development and admin skills tailored to the needs of
the industry – the level of industry specific knowledge expected dependent upon the level of
the particular role