Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Full Analysis of One Music Magazine - KERRANG

Kerrang is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music; it is published by Bauer Media Group. Kerrang was first published on 6 June 1981. They were named after the onomatopoeic word that derives from the sound made when playing a power chord on a distorted electric guitar. They publish their magazine weekly furthermore their total circulation in June 2013 was 37,603.


Kerrang is not just a magazine; they also have different media platforms. For example they have a website (www.kerrang.com); this is e-media platform. The website hosts Kerrang's online shop, podcasts, message board, TV and radio segments ensuring even more opportunities to sell associated merchandise and products. The website has a lot of different links for example, they have a ‘latest’, ‘hottest’, ‘music’, and lastly a ‘lists’ link. Furthermore they have a link to that week’s issue. The latest news including bands, artists, line-ups, new album releases, new band merch, etc. Furthermore they have a link to their Facebook page and Twitter page; in addition they have an Instagram. By having a lot of social media sites, their audience can keep up to date in different ways if they don’t particularly like reading magazines. On their website they also have some playlists, for example they have this week’s Kerrang! Chart and they also have new music. There is also a chance for the audience to win in competitions; this engages the audience making them feel involved. The purpose of the website is for the audience to find out more information to do with the magazine.

As well as a magazine and website, they also have ‘Kerrang Radio’, which was launched in 2000 and is available DAB, Freeview and online (www.kerrang.com); this is broadcast and e-media platforms, by having both these are  Kerrang Radio plays music, tells news, give competition chances to win things like festival/gig tickets, albums etc. The radio had a number of specialist programmes dedicated to the many subgenres of rock music. On the Kerrang Radio website there is a lot of links, for example, music features, links to the Kerrang Radio on YouTube, music news, their Facebook and Twitter, by having their social media linked on most of their websites make sure the audience find it and so they are advertising it. They also advertise their app, this is so people are aware that it exists.


 Kerrang also have a mobile app which is available for Android, Blackberry and iPhone, on this app you can listen to their Radio wherever you are, listen to previous shows and watch their videos. By having it available for different phones means most people can download it as those types of phones are popular.


 There is also ‘Kerrang Awards’, this has been happening since 1993, the magazine has held an annual awards ceremony to mark the most successful bands in the interests of their readers. The awards became one of Britain's most recognised events by the now defunct Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, often listing some of the winners in their annual round-up of the previous year.


 Kerrang! TV was launched in 2001. As with the radio station, the television channel covers the more meanstream side to rock music as well as classic rock bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC and classic heavy metal bands such as Guns N' Roses and Metallica. Kerrang TV is now a joint venture between Bauer Media Group and Channel 4.


 In March 2012, Kerrang announced a new rock chart for the UK which is based upon airplay across Kerrang Radio, Kerrang TV and sale figures from the Official Charts Company. Charts are announced on Saturday morning and feature twenty tracks. The latest chart can be viewed on their website every Saturday at midday.








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