So, you are the Twitter and Instagram generation who think ISIS is an ice-cream flavour and that Ebola is only a problem only afflicting east Africa. You are really not to blame because you do not have time to listen to the news because you are busy. Doing what, really? No one really knows because you are just scrolling down your phone, curious to see who is posting what. It’s amazing how we have come to this place where we let the world pass us by because we are glued to the screens of our cellphones.
Seeing that they are losing out on informing the youngsters on the news of the world, BBC has come up with a solution that might just change the way we consume news.
Coming to you through their collaboration with YFM, BBC has launched BBC Minute, a short and concise news bulletin that is only 60 seconds long.
“There was extensive research done by the BBC which sought to find out why the youth do not consume news the way older people used to. We then found out that the young people want things packaged in smaller bits which they can consume on the go and that’s how the idea of BBC Minute was born,” said Victoria Uwonkunda who hosts the show from London.
YFM, like several African youth radio stations, was the perfect fit for the news bulletin because it already has a young listenership that will subscribe to the BBC Minute idea.
“We know YFM listeners are young and vibrant and want to learn new things on the go. They can listen to the radio on their phones and every half-an-hour BBC Minute will come on and for 60 seconds say the most current news happenings all over the world,” explained Uwonkunda.
The question, however, is if enough current news can be said in just one minute.
Uwonkunda believes so.
“Yes, a lot can be covered in just one minute. We range from hard news, sports, fashion and any other pressing matters. The fact that we come on every half-an-hour means that we can refresh the news and say more each time we return. It really works because prior to it being placed on the market, it was tested on some young people and they loved it,”
Keeping up with the technological trends that have enslaved young people world over, BBC Minute is also available on platforms other than live radio.
“We are also available as sound clips on SoundCloud and WhatsApp so you don’t have to listen to us when we air live, but at your own convenience. The idea is not to impose ourselves on the young people’s schedules but to inform them as and when they allow us to.”
• BBC Minute airs every half-hour on YFM.