CSP Radio: Apple Beats 1

Background, industries and the impact of the internet

1) How have our music listening habits changed since 1960?

People less frequently buy/pay for physical copies of music and instead listen online, download music or pay for music subscription services such as Spotify or Deezer.

2) When did Apple Beats 1 Radio launch and what is it?



3) What is the difference between Beats 1 Radio, iTunes and Apple Music?

4) Why was Apple so keen to enter the online music world and compete with Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music (and others)?

5) Why did Apple choose the three selected DJ's for launch?

6) How does the use of DJ's differ from Spotify, Amazon Music and other streaming services?

7) How does the content of the Julia Adenuga show differ from Radio 1?

8) Why does Beats 1 radio give Apple the power to make or break new artists? Is this a good thing or a bad thing for the music industry?

9) Read the BBC feature on the launch of Apple Beats 1 Radio. Did the industry experts think it would be a success? Why?

10) Give arguments for and against the idea that Beats 1 will be a threat to traditional media industries (e.g. radio stations, record shops, online music retailers etc.)

Audience

1) Who is the target audience for Beats 1 and Julia Adenuga in particular? Refer to demographics and psychographics.

2) Why do people listen to Beats 1? Which aspects of Blumler and Katz’s Uses and Gratifications theory relate to Beats 1 and its audience?

3) Can the audience actively interact with the Apple Beats 1 Radio or are they passive when listening? How? Give examples.

4) Is Apple Beats 1 aimed at a mass or niche audience? How does this differ to BBC Radio 1?

5) Do you think Apple Beats 1 radio will be popular with young audiences or are streaming services the future of audio-based media?


Grade 8/9 extension tasks

Read this Computer World feature on Apple Beats 1 Radio. Why does it describe it as 'genius'? 

Read this BBC interview with Julie Adenuga regarding her new role at Apple Beats 1 Radio. Why is she so influential in terms of breaking new artists? 

Read this Fader interview with Julie Adenuga. Why is she the 'most trusted voice on UK music' and why did this appeal to Apple to hire her for Beats 1 Radio?

Finally, try this exam question on Radio: How far do you agree that Beats 1 and similar online providers are a threat to conventional radio stations?