P3: Multiplatform Distribution methods

DAB:

Digital Audio broadcasting is a transmission that is made up of digital binary codes (ones and zeroes). It ensures radio stations can stream at better quality audio than FM or AM. The signal can be sent out multiple times therefore has a higher chance of being picked up. By 2006, 500 million people had access to DAB radio coverage although by this time sales of receivers had only become popular in UK and Denmark however by 2006 there were approximately 1,000 DAB stations in operation worldwide.

FM:

Frequency modulation uses frequencies ranging from 87.5MHz to 108MHz. This form of radio transmission has the capability of better sound than DAB but signal drop in and out is prone. FM radio grew rapidly in the 1950s and 1960s, as FM sets became cheaper and more readily available. Car companies began introducing FM car radios in 1963. 

The difference between FM and AM is in how the carrier wave is altered. The overall strength of the signal is varied to incorporate the information in the sound. With FM, the frequency (the number of times each second that the current changes direction) of the carrier signal is varied.

LW:

Long Wave radio is a radio spectrum with wavelengths longer than what was originally called the medium wave broadcasting. It may be used for radio wavelengths longer than 1000m. 

AM:

Amplitude modulation transmissions are a radio broadcast developed for making audio radio transmissions and is still used around the world but also on the long and short wave bands. The period from the early 1920s through the 1940s is often referred to from the older generations as the "Golden Age of Radio". During this period AM radio was the main source of entertainment at home until TV later took over.

The range of DAB is much wider than AM because the audio is transmitted digitally, the quality is also better. Because it does not use radio waves, there is no noise. In places in the country where the signal is weak you will still have clear sound with no noise or breakage.

MW:

Medium wave is a radio band used predominantly for AM radio broadcasting. It provides around 120 channels with more limited sound quality that the FM broadcast band. Typically the reception is limited to more local stations during the day but it can vary dependant on the signal strength and quality of radio used to receive the bandwidth. AM is prone to drop in and drop outs caused by electronic devices.

BBC Radio 2 Distribution

BBC Radio 2 broadcast on many platforms including AM, FM and DAB. You can also listen to it on catchup on BBC iPlayer radio app and the BBC Sounds website. This is to ensure it can reach more people and that everyone has access to high quality audio. 

In the UK you can listen to live to Radio 2 in a variety of ways:

-On FM analogue radio 88-91FM

- DAB Digital radio: listed as BBC Radio 1 or Radio 1

- Freeview: Channel 702

- Sky TV: Channel 0102

- Virgin: Channel 902

- Online: Radio 2 - Listen Live - BBC Sounds

- Mobile: BBC iPlayer and online

- Podcasts: sections of BBC radio 2 are available to download and listen to on BBC sounds

- Internet (WiFi) radio

The station can be listened to live as well as on demand through their website or mobile app. On the app, customers will have access to not only radio shows but also TV and other content they choose to include. BBC also have sections of their shows included in podcasts so their listeners can choose segments they want to listen to.

BBC offer additional ways to listen to their radio show such as podcasts and on demand because it allows more channels to be created and accessed. For example their younger audience may not own physical radios and may only be able to access the shows on the app whereas the older audience may not know how to use the app and may only feel comfortable using FM radios.

BBC Radio has adapted to ensure radio is still central to many peoples lives through innovating technology. They have an accessible mobile application and on demand services and other things that aren't featured on the radio such as podcasts. They do this to compete with music streaming such as Spotify offering more than just music. They also have social media channels like Twitter and Youtube where they can post their content.