A case study of a Turkish Radio Station (TRT) examining the relationship between social media and radio. Employee interviews were conducted and four themes were identified: Interaction, Audience Contribution, Visuals, & Station Promotions.

1. Social Media & Radio: A Case Study
Spring 2014
Demet Akat | @DemetAkat
Becca Liss | @BeccaGLiss
#OldRadioNewMedia

2. Introduction: The Project
 Impact of social media on radio broadcasting:
 Background & Theory
 Research Questions
 Case Study – TRT (Turkish Radio & Television) FM
 Future Implications
 Conclusions
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

3. Introduction: The Importance
 Looking at media studies as a whole, radio is highly
under-researched
 “Radio was a neglected medium, invisible, the Cinderella of
communication studies and a wall flower at the media
studies ball” (Lacey, 2008)
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

4. Background: The Theory
 Uses & Gratifications
 “People were using the Internet and
traditional media (i.e., television, newspapers,
and radio) for the same reasons: social
interaction, surveillance; and
relaxation” (Johnson, 2012)
 “People use the media to satisfy certain
needs, such as to pass time, cure boredom,
find excitement, social interaction, as well as
to survey the environment” (Rosales, 2013)
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

5. Introduction: The Questions
 How does social media contribute to the interaction
between listeners and radio broadcast?
 Does social media have an impact on radio popularity?
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

6. Background: The Case Study
 This was the first radio
station in Turkey to
broadcast through FM
transmitters
 TRT FM is the most
accessible radio station
across Turkey
 Radyo 2 (TRT FM) is the
main channel for popular
music among TRT Radio
Stations
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss
@TRTFM

7. Background: The Case Study
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss
@TRTFM

8. Case Study
 Interviewees (1-4)
 Overall themes they talked about
 Memorable quotes
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss
@TRTFM

9. Interviewees
@tulaytuzun
Tulay Kankalp Tuzun on Facebook
TRT Anchor (1998 – Present)
Fine arts, music, politics,
entertainment, etc.
BA in Business administration
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

10. Interviewees
@suhauner
Suha Uner on Facebook
TRT Anchor (1989 – Present)
Covers a variety of topics
on shows
Degree in French Literature
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

11. Interviewees
cem.temel@trt.net.tr
Cem Temel
TRT Producer (1998 – Present)
Runs daily news show
Pursuing Ph. D. on Republican
History of Turkey
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

12. Interviewees
@okyanus1011
Deniz Sezer
Vice-Producer at TRT
Live & Taped shows (focus
on entertainment)
Degree in Accounting
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

13. Main Themes
 Interaction
 Audience Contribution
 Visuals
 Station Promotions
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

14. Theme 1: Interaction
 Social Media makes the
audience interaction
easier.
 Listeners feel more
connected when there is
more interaction.
“The listener has a warmer
relationship with the radio
through the social media. The
radio show takes a different
form with the help of the
instant messages. Sharing
different opinions,… getting
instant responses from the host
for a request or a critique,
being able to interact with the
host directly; all these are
benefits of the audience of a
radio show that uses the social
media platforms.” Tulay Tuzun
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

15. Theme 1: Interaction
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

16. Theme 2: Audience Contribution
 SM makes listeners more
active in the content
curating process.
 Through SM, it is easier to
get feedback quickly from
the listeners.
“..social media platforms are
helpful to a better
understanding of the listeners’
expectations. We are making
some changes in the content
according to those
expectations, when it is
possible.” Cem Temel
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

17. Theme 2: Audience Contribution
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss
http://audience411.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/AudienceInteraction1.png

18. Theme 3: Visuals
 SM makes Radio visible
through sharing visual
content.
“Social Media gave us the
opportunity to make our
studios visible for our listeners
through pictures we post on
Facebook or Twitter.” Deniz
Sezer
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

19. Theme 4: Station Promotions
 SM is a great opportunity
for introducing the coming
shows on their radio
station.
“In these social platforms, we
introduce our future guests
and the content of the shows
and sometimes inform listeners
about the whole TRT
corporation. “ Tulay Tuzun
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

20. TRT
 Streaming Application
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss
@TRTFM

21. What’s Next?
 Comparative studies among additional radio stations
regarding social media use and popularity
 Utilizing additional social media platforms to interact with
listeners
 More academic focus on the relationship between social
media and radio
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

22. TRT & Literature
 How Radio is utilizing social media:
 Twitter – sharing breaking news & contest alerts
 Facebook – promotions, programs, events, sample music &
photos of artists
 Mobile Apps – live listening/streaming; on demand
#OldRadioNewMedia
(Rosales, 2013)
@DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss

23. Conclusions
 Four Themes
 More to explore
 Turkey & Social Media
#OldRadioNewMedia @DemetAkat
@BeccaGLiss