P3: Describe the multi-platform distribution methods.
Below I have described 4 different distribution platforms through through which a radio show can be distributed.
Internet - Radio stations which are distributed through the internet are often referred to as "podcasts" due to the fact that very few radio stations use internet broadcasting as their sole distribution method. Internet radio shows can be tuned into with any device connected to the internet and it is often broadcasted in a similar format which it is received in. Internet radio has become increasingly popular as less people on average own a radio outside of their car.
FM - This form of radio broadcasting stands for "Frequency Modulation". It is a very effective way of providing high-fidelity sound. This results in a higher sound quality than on AM or MW radio stations. Due to this most music broadcasts nowadays are either distributed through FM or DAB broadcasting. FM frequencies are very high and due to this the signal range is shorter which makes it less desirable to use for national radio stations and it is better suited to local or community stations.
AM - The AM form of radio broadcasting stands for "Amplitude Modulation" and it is the oldest form of radio broadcasting. The signal range is one of the strong points of this form of radio broadcasting. Due to it's long wave form, this form of broadcasting can be received a lot farther than FM broadcasting. This is, however, also it's downfall as it's wave form makes it more susceptible to interference than FM or digital signals which results in lower audio fidelity.
DAB - This form of audio broadcasting stands for "Digital Audio Broadcasting". This form of radio distribution is very efficient due to the combination of high audio fidelity as well as it's long broadcast range. It combines the best of both forms of broadcasting from FM to AM. DAB broadcasting has it's weaknesses in it's easily disturbed signal which quickly degrades in quality when the signal strength falls below a certain threshold making it less effective in long distance broadcasting than AM broadcasting.
Internet - Radio stations which are distributed through the internet are often referred to as "podcasts" due to the fact that very few radio stations use internet broadcasting as their sole distribution method. Internet radio shows can be tuned into with any device connected to the internet and it is often broadcasted in a similar format which it is received in. Internet radio has become increasingly popular as less people on average own a radio outside of their car.
FM - This form of radio broadcasting stands for "Frequency Modulation". It is a very effective way of providing high-fidelity sound. This results in a higher sound quality than on AM or MW radio stations. Due to this most music broadcasts nowadays are either distributed through FM or DAB broadcasting. FM frequencies are very high and due to this the signal range is shorter which makes it less desirable to use for national radio stations and it is better suited to local or community stations.
AM - The AM form of radio broadcasting stands for "Amplitude Modulation" and it is the oldest form of radio broadcasting. The signal range is one of the strong points of this form of radio broadcasting. Due to it's long wave form, this form of broadcasting can be received a lot farther than FM broadcasting. This is, however, also it's downfall as it's wave form makes it more susceptible to interference than FM or digital signals which results in lower audio fidelity.
DAB - This form of audio broadcasting stands for "Digital Audio Broadcasting". This form of radio distribution is very efficient due to the combination of high audio fidelity as well as it's long broadcast range. It combines the best of both forms of broadcasting from FM to AM. DAB broadcasting has it's weaknesses in it's easily disturbed signal which quickly degrades in quality when the signal strength falls below a certain threshold making it less effective in long distance broadcasting than AM broadcasting.
In order to conduct my own research, to gain an insight into how people listen to radio today, I carried out a survey which asked people how they listen to radio. I have attached my findings below.
I have found that a large portion of people that answered my survey tune into radio through the internet. I think this may be because less people nowadays have a radio outside of a car and more people listen to things like podcasts or online music stream stations rather than listening to similar programmes on the radio. This shows that radio, like most things, has been drastically effected by the increased usage of the internet.
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INTERNET 47%
FM 35% DAB 12% AM 6% |