Research for product development

 3 research areas

1) Gathering information to plan and develop the content of Universal Zest Radio and Xtra Zest Radio.

2) The production processes involved in creating the content of Universal Zest Radio and Xtra Zest radio.

3) Launching Zest Radio.

area 1: Content of Public Service Radio

BBC Radio 1: The scheduling for Radio 1 mostly broadcasts entertainment earlier in the day, for example, 'Radio 1's Drum and Bass Mix' being aired from 1:00 to 1:30. In the afternoon, more informing and educating channels are broadcasted, for example, NewsBeat at 17:45 to showcase the latest news from the UK and around the world.

BBC Radio 2: Similar to Radio 1, Radio 2 broadcasts mainly entertainment channels. There are occasional informative channels being broadcasted such as 'The Zoe ball Breakfast Show' and Jeremy Vine.

BBC Radio 3: BBC Radio 3 has more obscure channels that usually play classical music. there are occasionally broadcasting informative channels, such as a channel that educates you on the subject of classical music.

Audience Requirements

The target audience are 16-30 year old ethnically diverse music fans. Because they have a broad target audience, they have 2 radio stations:Universal Zest Radio and Xtra Zest Radio.

Having 2 flagship radio stations instead of one is better for a large audience because more than 1 genre of music can be broadcasted on both radio stations to meet the audience requirements. Universal Zest Radio caters for fans of pop and contemporary music, whereas Xtra Zest Radio caters for fans of grime and R&B music.

Conventions of public service radio programmes

BBC Radio 1: BBC Radio 1 has presenters and people narrating in between songs, usually stating the radio's name, song and artist's name, and information on the artist. The songs have a range of genres. Radio 1 NewsBeat, presented by Ben Mundy, is an informative news channel that talks about the latest worldwide news while music plays. On the NewsBeat broadcast on October 12th mainly talks about covid 19, and its progression with the development of the vaccine.

BBC Radio 2: On BBC Radio 2, there are multiple presenters, narrating between songs similarly to Radio 1. Contrasting to BBC Radio 1, there are more informative radio stations. There are still more channels used for entertainment more than informing. Examples of channels being  broadcasted on Radio 2 are: Pick of the Pops, Ken Bruce, and the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show. The channels are very similar in terms of its main purpose being to entertain listeners.

BBC Radio 3: On BBC radio 3, there are similar channels to both Radio 1 and 2. There are presenters on each channel, again, usually stating the song, artist's name, and any extra information. The main genre of music being presented on BBC Radio 3 is classical music rather than mainstream songs, unlike BBC Radio 1 and 2. Examples of channels being broadcasted are Essential classics, Composer of the Week, and Afternoon Concert.

Equipment

As a broadcasting station with several stations, there needs to be necessary equipment needed to be a successful radio station. Examples of equipment needed are:

• High quality microphones
• Speakers
• Sound board
• Keyboard
• Control panel
• Mixer console
• Headphones
• Headphones distributor
• Mic arms
• Audio processor
• Computer with automation and playlist software

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Public radio stations need to consider the legal and ethical rules and regulations when publicly broadcasting their channels. Some of the rules include:

• Copyright - Zest Radio will need to consider copyright as a radio station with the songs they use. They would either have to use music on the creative commons website, or ask permission from the distributor of the song. This usually means that the radio station will have to pay a fee to use the song.
• Data Protection Act 1998 - 
• Discrimination
• Defamation of  character
• Ethical matters

Opportunities for Synergy

Synergy is when 2 or more companies come together to produce something. As a radio station, there are many benefits to synergy and opportunities for it to happen.

An example of an opportunity for synergy to happen would be an official social media page promoting the radio station. For example, Twitter.

As a large platform, Twitter is an example of an opportunity for synergy to happen. On the official Twitter page for BBC Radio 1, A post promoting the Glass Animals was made to promote them and the radio station.

Regulation of public service radio

Ofcom (office of communications) regulates radio stations to see whether the content is suitable for a public audience. They ensure that the content shown is legally allowed to be broadcasted publicly. If the audience has a problem with the given content, they can send a complaint to Ofcom for them to review and find a solution. As well as Radio content, Ofcom also regulate the content on television.

Broadcast, scheduling and distribution opportunities.

When Zest radio are scheduling the times of their broadcasts,  they need to consider the times of when they're going to present: for example, what grenre of music will they broadcast and when?

BBC Radio 1 (and other BBC Radio stations) have a website stating what times they broadcast certain things. If Zest make a schedule in a similar format, their target audience will be able to identify when they might want to listen to their radio station based on their profile as a customer.