LO1 Task 4: Analysis of a radio programme

1. Purpose and schedule  

I have chosen the Kerrang! programme 'Rated Rock' based on its description of 'Rock, Metal, Hardcore and everything in between' this matches the codes and conventions of  my programme 'Barbed Wire' as I will also play a array of rock, metal and hardcore music. The Kerrang! radio station 'Rated Rock ' also matches my radio show 'Barbed Wire' because its categorised as entertainment, my radio show will also fall under the bracket of entertainment. 'Rated Rock' targets the older bracket of Kerrang! radio's target audience due to the late post-watershed programming time on their show.  The late broadcast time means that the show will be primarily accessed on home radio's and through their app because people will be either at home or coming home from a late shift or party to the show.  'Rated Rock' is hosted by Johnny Doom who is a popular Kerrang! DJ  who has hosted many shows over a lengthy career. Therefore the audience of the Kerrang! show will already have an existing 'relationship' with the host. The scheduling for 'Rated Rock' and my show is different as there programme runs from 9-10pm and mine will run from 5-7pm. Rated Rock's main purpose is to entertain with a second purpose to educate. As the title says it is a 'definitive guide' this allows new listeners in the genre to hone their likes and dislikes with the help of the host Johnny Doom

1. Income 

Rated Rock is on Kerrang! Radio's main channel and therefore is a commercial show and features adverts just like the rest of the shows on Kerrang! Radio. The adverts will differ from other shows based on the scheduling of the show but also because the show plays different music than other channels and therefore targets a different audience. As this channel may cater towards newbie listeners and musicians then there will a particular advertising focus on music products and music events such as Kerrang's event and the upcoming Download festival. Due to the late scheduling their will likely be mention (whether direct advertising or below the line) of the Kerrang partnered energy drink where the host (Johnny Doom) talks about how it keeps him awake or their is an actual advertising segment featuring it. 

1. Content and production techniques 

Rated Rock features both music and host commentary. Opposed to other shows that features phone-ins or interviews with musicians this show doesn't boast either. This makes the show feel more niche and personalised towards the listeners. This also creates an informal and colloquial atmosphere around the show which would draw in new listeners as it doesn't seem scary and off-putting for someone who's just started listening to heavier music. 

1. Staff and resources 

 'Rated Rock' is hosted by Johnny Doom who is a popular Kerrang! DJ  who has hosted many shows over a lengthy career. Therefore the audience of the Kerrang! show will already have an existing 'relationship' with the host

 However the Kerrang target audience and my target audience are both 15-35. Due to this my programme will put in place pre-watershed measures such as using radio edits of songs and making sure hosts use appropriate language; in order to protect the younger side of the target audience. The target audience for my show being 15-35+ I will need a relatively even/majority split of ABC1 in order to compensate for the younger end not having much money. In order to target the full range of my target audience I will play a mixture of older and contemporary rock, metal and hardcore. In order to create ideal self/partner theory between the audience and the hosts I will have two female hosts and one male host of different tastes/aesthetics in order to show diversity. This destabilises the stereotype of metal and rock being male led genres. My radio show will be accessed in the same way that 'Rated Rock' can be accessed which is via a DAB or home radio as well as car radio. My radio show is smaller than 'Rated Rock' and Kerrang! however so instead of having an application I will post snippets, teasers and clips to both YouTube and YouTube Shorts in order to create interest, promote my show and gain additional income from clicks and adverts on my videos. This also works in synergy with having a young target audience of 15-35 as a vast majority of my target audience, being digital natives, will carry a black box device (due to technological convergence) and therefore be able to access my radio show wherever and whenever they want, even when we aren't on air. My radio programme will be commercialised and therefore will include advertisements however because my radio show is local whilst Kerrang! and 'Rated Rock' are national my advertisements will be local. in order to reflect this (and also the musical codes and conventions of my show) I will advertise for event locations in Sheffield such as The Leadmill, Sydney and Matilda, The Crucible, Sheffield Arena and The Peddler.