THE MEDIA Print Media Broadcasting Media Television

The print media 1. National newspapers - early 18 th century: most of them were ‘quality papers’ for relatively small, educated market th century: inexpensive for literate working class. - early 20 th century: the era of mass-circulation papers and of ownwers

Newspapers and magazines have to cope with - the expense of newsprint; - declines in advertising revenue; - rising production and labour costs; - competition from other media outlets. Regional owners outside London had in fact pioneered the movement of newspapers and magazines into newsprint technology and London newspapers had to follow in order to survive.

New technology meant that journalist’ “copy” could be printed directly through computers without having to use the traditional intermediate “hot metal” typesetting by printers: - gave owners flexibility in their printing; - improved distribution methods; - cut in labour production costs; - increased the profitability of print industries.

The business is very competitive and papers can suffer from a variety of problems. “Qualities” and “populars” were historically distinguished by their format. “Qualities” were broadsheet/large-sheet “Populars” were tabloid/small-sheet. Sales of popular papers on weekdays and Sundays far exceed those of the qualities.  Qualities were more expensive than populars and carried up-market advertising that generated essential finance.  Populars carried less advertising and cater for more down-market material.

Most newspapers are politically right-of-centre and sympathize with the Conservative Party, but their positions are arguably usualy driven by readers’ opinions and their standard biases in fact can vary considerably overtime and under the influence of events. Papers may have a political bias and support a specific party, particularly at election times.

A number of newspapers in the 20 th century ceased publication because of - reduced circulation - loss of advertising revenue - refusal of further financial aid, or - a combination of those three factors. Despite a fall in hard-copy circulation, most national newspapers now have online internet versions which are often free. They also offer subscription access to special features and longer articles

2. Regional and Ethnic newspapers - published in towns and cities throughout Britain; - focus on local/regional news, but also contain national and international features; - supported financially by regional/local advertising; - to such an extent that news often outweighed by the advertisement

There are numbers of Ethnic publications in newspapers which are increasing in numbers in the large cities and are improving in quality. They are read by ethnic communities such as Muslims, Jewish, Asians, Chinese, Afro-Caribbean, and even Arabic.

3. Periodicals and Magazines - weekly, monthly or quarterly nature - dependent upon sales and advertisement - although expanded, it’s still difficult to break into the established consumer market with a new product.  Teenage and youth magazine market is fiercely fought for but has suffered large sales losses recently.

 The men’s general interest magazine markets (some with specifically ‘laddish’ appeal) is similarly volatile.  Women’s periodicals have large and wide circulation.  The best selling publications are the weekly Radio Times and What’s on TV, which contain feature stories and scheduled programmes for BBC and independent television and radio.  Other magazine cover interests: computers, rural pastimes, gardening, railways, cooking, sports, architecture, and do-it- yourself skills.

The Broadcasting Media Two sectors of broadcasting media: - Public sector: the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), financed by the television licence fee; - Independent sector consists of commercial stations/channels, funded mainly by advertising revenue. Broadcasting media covers radio, terrestrial television and cable/satellite television.

Radio is the first broadcasting medium to appear in Britain: 1. Monopoly on BBC ended in Duopoly covered the public service of the BBC and the independent service of the Independent Television Authority (ITA). BBC Radio performs an important service. There are five channels and increasing with five new digital ones: - Radio 1 caters for pop music - Radio 2 has light music, news, comedy - Radio 3 provides classical and modern serious music, talks, discussion, plays - Radio 4 concentrates on news reports, analysis, talks and plays - Radio 5 Live has sports and news programmes.

The BBC is based at Broadcasting House in London, but has stations throughout the country which provide regional networks for radio and television. It was created by Royal Charter and has a board of governors who are responsible for supervising its programmes and their suitability. Members of board of governors were appointed by the Crown on the advice of government ministers. Daily operations are controlled by the Director- General chosen by board of governors. It is financed by a grant from the Parliament.

BBC is not a state organization, it tries to be neutral in political matters. BBC has now two main terrestrial television channels beside two more other ones: BBC 1 is a mass-appeal channel, programmes consist of news, plays and drama series; audience share of 28% BBC 2 tends to show more serious items, news analysis, discussions, documentaries, sports, adaptations of novels into plays and series, operas, concerts. It also provides Open University courses, audience share of 11% BBC 3 concerns with contemporary entertainment, comedy, music and drama BBC 4 covers culture and arts as well as two channels for children under 6 or more.

The role and influence of television Television is an influential and dominant force in modern Britain, as well as a popular entertainment activity. A large number of the programmes on tv are made in Britain, although there many imported American series. A few programmes come from other English- speaking countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Although British tv has a high reputation abroad, it does attract substantial criticism in Britain. News reports, documentaries and current affairs analysis are generally of a high standard, but the reality shows are the highest preference.

Material for discussion: 1. Describe and comment critically on the structure of broadcasting media in Britain. 2. Discuss the division of British national newspapers into ‘populars’ and ‘qualities’. 3. Discuss, to what extent are newspapers, radio and television funded by advertising.