PSB: Research Questions

This week, we are going to look carefully at Public Service Broadcasting. You will be split into small groups to cover these questions. You will have one lesson to research and prepare your answers and then we will spend the next lesson reviewing them. You should 

1. Historical and Political Context of Public Service Radio Broadcasting

Focus: Development of PSB radio, key policies, and institutional changes.

• What role did radio play in the early aims of the BBC as a public service broadcaster?

• How has the remit of BBC Radio changed since its inception?

• How did the introduction of BBC Radio 1 in 1967 respond to youth culture and pirate radio?

• What were the political and cultural reasons behind the creation of the Radio 1 Breakfast Show?

• How does the Radio 1 Breakfast Show reflect the original Reithian values of the BBC?

• What government policies have influenced the operation and funding of BBC national radio?

• How is the BBC’s PSB remit monitored and enforced in its radio output?

• What historical tensions have existed between popular programming and PSB values in radio?

• How has the regulation of BBC Radio 1 by Ofcom shaped its content and tone?

• To what extent does the Radio 1 Breakfast Show maintain editorial independence from government and commercial pressure?

---

2. Public Service Radio vs Commercial Radio

Focus: Mission, audience engagement, content balance, and funding models.

• What are the main differences between BBC Radio and commercial radio stations like Capital or Heart?

• How does the funding of BBC Radio (via licence fee) impact its content and scheduling?

• In what ways is the Radio 1 Breakfast Show different from commercial breakfast shows in terms of its tone and content?

• How does the Radio 1 Breakfast Show balance entertainment with its PSB remit?

• How do PSB radio stations ensure a wide range of music genres and diverse voices?

• How do commercial stations attract advertisers, and how does this influence their playlists and hosts?

• What role does audience feedback and data play in shaping PSB radio programming?

• How do BBC local and national radio services differ in their PSB roles?

• How do presenters like Greg James adapt their style to meet the expectations of PSB?

• Does the Radio 1 Breakfast Show serve a different function compared to commercial morning shows?

---

3. Representation, Diversity, and Inclusion in PSB Radio

Focus: Who is represented, how, and why it matters.

• How does the Radio 1 Breakfast Show promote diversity through its presenters, guests, and music choices?

• In what ways does BBC Radio aim to reflect the diversity of the UK population?

• How is regional identity represented across BBC national and local radio stations?

• Has the Radio 1 Breakfast Show historically been inclusive in terms of gender and ethnicity?

• What initiatives has BBC Radio launched to improve representation behind the scenes?

• How are youth identities and subcultures represented on PSB radio?

• How does the BBC’s 50:50 Equality Project influence radio programming?

• What role do listener call-ins and interactive segments play in promoting diverse viewpoints?

• How has the representation of LGBTQ+ communities evolved in PSB radio, particularly on Radio 1?

• How does the BBC ensure inclusive storytelling and language across its radio platforms?

---

4. The Future of Public Service Radio

Focus: Digital competition, streaming, and evolving audience needs.

• How is the Radio 1 Breakfast Show adapting to changing listener habits, including on-demand and podcast platforms?

• What are the biggest challenges PSB radio faces in a streaming-dominated world?

• How is BBC Sounds shaping the future of radio and audio PSB?

• What strategies are in place to keep younger audiences engaged with PSB radio?

• How do interactive platforms and social media integrate with live PSB radio shows like Radio 1 Breakfast?

• Could the rise of personalised playlists (e.g. Spotify) make PSB music radio less relevant?

• How do the BBC’s public service obligations affect its use of digital and social media?

• Should PSB radio services be allowed to feature advertising or paid subscriptions in the future?

• How can radio remain a culturally relevant and trusted medium in a fragmented media landscape?

• What does the future hold for live, scheduled programming like the Radio 1 Breakfast Show?