LO2 Distribution of radio in the UK

LO2 Distribution of radio in the UK

·         Write down how radio is distributed in the UK (use key terms such as tech convergence etc).

·         Use your chosen station in LO1 and discuss with examples and images to support.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AM_broadcasting

https://www.diffen.com/difference/AM_vs_FM

https://www.freeview.co.uk/why-freeview/channels/kerrang#zSmrKGF8jIWlUjlH.97

Traditional methods of radio distribution: 

The first way that people accessed the radio was through Amplitude modulation (AM radio) which waist common use from when radio first became available to normal people in the 1920s through the "Golden age of radio" which lasted until the 1950s when television and Frequency modulation radio (FM Radio) became available to the public. The difference between AM and FM radio is that while AM is more prone to interference than AM, AM is more likely to be interrupted by physical factors (for example this is why a car radio will not work in a tunnel.) As well as this though the various scientific differences between the type of wave that make up the different types of wave FM offers a higher definition sound than AM which made it more commercially viable to consumers when It was made available. 

Today there are many ways that people can access radio other than the traditional, analogue ways that I have mentioned previously. the most prevalent of these would be the advancement of Digital radio which allows people to listen to the radio using the Internet which is more efficient than either of the analogue methods of radio as that most people in country where radio is in widespread use such as the UK have access to the Internet. Methods of accessing the radio digitally are also very effective due to technological convergence as that many companies such as the BBC or "Kerrang!" radio which I have previously discussed have smart phone applications which can be used to access the radio digitally. These are much more convenient than having to keep an analogue radio as that a smart phone is easier to use by far.

This is a screenshot from the official "Kerrang! radio" website where viewers can access the  shows that the station hosts live or on the catchup section.

  

Having digital access to the radio also means that people can access catch up services such as BBC "IPlayer" which let consumers access shows which they may have missed in the past. This could be potentially useful for people who enjoy listening to radio soap operas which air frequently such as BBC four's "The Archers"  and don't have time to listen to all of the episodes when they air. 

As well as digital radio some stations such as "Kerrang!" have made their radio stations available to listen to over Television in another example of how radio has evolved due to technological convergance. currently Kerrang! can be found on Freeview channel 717. 

Technological convergence has also allowed for the size of many radio components to become smaller and easier to make cheaply. This means that many devices now can access radio stations such as cars, phones and headphones.  

In conclusion Radio distribution has advanced at the same rate as the people who listen to the radio. This has stopped the platform from becoming obsolete.