P3 Multiplatform Distribution Methods - Unit 14

Introduction

In this document I will explore multiplatform distribution methods used by radio stations. I will explore my chosen radio station that I have discussed for other tasks in this unit and investigate the different distribution methods that they used. 

Types of Distribution

DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)

The digital transmission is made up of a string of ones and zeroes. Since there are no frequency bands to stick to, that same signal can be sent out multiple times. This means that your radio has more chances to pick up the signal-making DAB radio far more reliable than its FM counterpart. Additionally, it also has a wider variety of stations available. On the other hand, a disadvantage of Digital Audio Broadcasting is that the quality is not as clear as FM. The first DAB digital radio stations were launched in 1995 by the BBC. Somebody may choose to use DAB to distribute their show due to it's reliability. 

FM Radio

FM stands for frequency modulation and is one of the radio broadcasting systems in the UK. FM uses frequencies from 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz. It can have a better sound quality than DAB but the signal is more prone for dropping in and out. People may choose to distribute their show with FM due to its higher quality audio however this means that they have to deal with the reliability of FM as it is less reliable than DAB. FM radio was invented in 1933 by inventor Edwin H. Armstrong. FM uses frequency modulation of the radio wave to reduce static and interference from electrical equipment and the atmosphere. 

AM Radio

AM stands for Amplitude Modulation. AM is one of the oldest radio broadcasting systems in the UK. The term AM is commonly used to cover both Medium Wave (MW) and Long Wave (LW). All AM radio stations broadcast in mono and although both of these are still used, they are now considered to be very dated. AM radio broadcasting is in the 540-1610 kHz frequency band (in the Americas) with 10 kHz spacing between channels. AM technology modulates a carrier by varying the signal strength, not by frequency as with FM. For 30 years starting in the 1920s, AM flourished in the so-called "Golden Age of Radio." However, starting around the late 1950s, FM's higher fidelity became popular for music listening. Most AM radio stations today broadcast news, talk, traffic and weather. An advantage of using AM radio that may persuade people to choose AM to broadcast their radio show is that the receivers can be simple and inexpensive and that area coverage is somewhat less costly to achieve compared to FM area coverage.

Ways of Distribution

There are a multitude of different ways that radio can be distributed that aren't just using a radio. Some of these are on mobile phones via mobile apps, on digital music players, online or on Freeview TV, Sky TV and Virgin TV. This is so people can listen to the radio in multiple different circumstances where they may not have a radio with them. 

My Chosen Station

The radio station I chose that I have wrote about previously in different reports is the Airport Information Radio (AIR) and in this report I will discuss how the AIR was distributed and more relevant information about the station. 

Airport Information Radio was distributed through Amplitude Modulation (AM). The reason for this is because AIR functioned during the 90s and radio distribution methods like DAB weren't launched until 1995 therefore AIR would of already been operating on AM before DAB was in use. There was no other way to listen to the AIR other than the radio itself as it was before the time of mobile phones like iPhones or listening to radio stations on the internet. Airport Information Radio did not adapt to modern ways because the station closed down in the 90s. The station was able to be listened to live but also had pre-recorded messages for people that were outside the range of the live radio broadcast. Due to the time era that the station was live, there was no other alternate ways of listening to the station except the radio and there were not additional content like podcasts. 

Bibliography

 “Radio Mercury.” Www.localradioarchive.co.uk, www.localradioarchive.co.uk/radio_mercury/airport_information_radio.php. Accessed 20 May 2024.

 

 “FM Broadcasting.” Wikipedia, 11 May 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_broadcasting#:~:text=Frequency%20modulation%20or%20FM%20is. Accessed 20 May 2024.