Cross media

Nowadays radio isn't just broadcasted through the airwaves as it has been in the past, you can now access the radio in many different conglomerations across the media board. The fact that radio is now more accessible to people therefore benefiting radio stations from all over the world.

Internet streaming has to be one of the most benefical forms of cross media to radio stations as in these times where technology is getting more and more popular more people are able to listen to the radio than ever before. This benefits radio as they are able to stream live from there website and this means they can appeal to a much wider audience.

Social Networking can also play a big part in directing audiences towards a radio show/station, for example many mainstream radio stations advertise on Facebook which has millions of members, this is obviously a huge advantage to them as again it widens their audience. This also gives listeners the chance to interact with the radio show, for example posting questions to guests who appear in the radio show they are listening to and enter radio competitions.

Radio shows are much more interactive nowadays than they have in the future, purely due to the develpoment in technology. This again is a hugely beneficial development for radio stations as they can make money through interaction, for example texting and phoning in. Bringing it back to the internet, you can also email your views into the show.

BBC RADIO 1 is a brilliant example of using cross media to its advantage as they use every form of media that is available to them. They have a fully functioning website complete with photographs, videos and podcasts. They also have live webcams during shows so the listeners on the internet can also watch what is happening in the studio and perhaps get more of an idea of the presenters personaily through their body language. The photographs show the type of celebrity guests they have on their shows which vary from popstars to filmstars to sportstars, this can maybe entice people who may not listen to Radio 1 to listen in and maybe interact with their favourite celebrities. Aswell as photographs of guests there are also video clips of interviews or short features with guests. There are also a range of promotional and comedy videos on the Radio 1 webstie, this is to show the atmosphere of Radio 1 which is mainly light hearted, friendly and humerous

Podcasts of BBC Radio 1's shows are also available off iTunes. This benefits both listeners of Radio 1 and Radio 1 itself, meaning that if you do listen to Radio 1 and miss one of your favourite shows (for example Chris Moyles) it is available for you to download and then listen to on your iPod whenever you choose to. This also benefits Radio 1 as it's another easy way to access their shows, it can also benefit she radio station as you can share the podcasts with friends therefore may introduce new listemers to Radio 1 which leads to the amount of listeners increasing.

Sky/Cable TV is also used to broadcast radio stations, although the radio stations available to you will be mainly mainstream. This is a good listening method for listeners who may not have access to a radio or the internet or people who want to play the radio in the background whilst (for example) doing household chores.

In recent years more and more radio stations are being founded which provides more and more competition for mainstream radio stations to keep and entice their audience, this leads to radio stations trying harder to appeal to a more wider ranging audience.