iMedia Genius

What Are Distribution Platforms and Media?

In R093 you need to understand how different media products reach audiences, from traditional broadcast to online streaming and social media. This includes:

Platforms – where the product appears (TV, cinema, radio, websites, apps, social media, print).
Media and formats – the files and technologies used (video, audio, images, interactive content).
Methods – physical vs digital, streaming vs download, on-demand vs scheduled.

Why Distribution Matters

Determines who sees the product and how easily they can access it.
Affects file formats, compression and technical choices.
Often appears in the exam as scenarios where you must pick suitable platforms and justify them.

Infographic summarising distribution platforms and how they affect reach, audience and engagement

Distribution Platforms & Media at a Glance

This infographic summarises where media products can be distributed and how to match platforms to audiences.

Key Distribution Platforms

How audiences access media products in different ways.

Broadcast: TV and radio channels (live and catch-up).
Streaming & on-demand: services like Netflix, iPlayer, Spotify and YouTube.
Cinema & physical media: theatrical releases, DVDs, Blu-ray, boxed games.
Online & social: websites, social networks, video platforms and blogs.
Apps & downloads: mobile apps, app stores, digital game stores.
Exam link: name the most suitable platform(s) for a product and justify your choice.

Broadcast · Online · Apps

Matching Platforms to Audience & Purpose

Choosing the best way to reach your target audience.

Audience habits: where your target age group actually spends time (TV, TikTok, games, etc.).
Access & devices: smartphones, consoles, smart TVs, PCs or tablets.
Interactivity: choose web/apps or games when user control is important.
Budget: some platforms are cheaper (social media) than others (cinema release).
Global vs local: online platforms can reach worldwide audiences more easily.
Exam tip: link your chosen platform back to purpose, audience and distribution budget.

Habits · Access · Reach

Types of Distribution Platform

Different products suit different platforms. You must be able to choose platforms based on target audience, purpose and context.

Examples of Platforms

Television and radio – broadcast schedules, catch-up and on-demand services.
Cinema – large-screen viewing for films and some special events.
Websites and web apps – accessible via browsers on many devices.
Mobile apps – designed for smartphones and tablets, with notifications and offline modes.
Social media platforms – short-form video, posts and stories to reach large audiences quickly.
Print media – posters, flyers, magazines, leaflets and billboards.

Choosing Platforms

Think about where the target audience spends time (e.g. teens on social media, adults on radio).
Consider the purpose – awareness, detailed information, quick updates, entertainment.
Match the platform to the product type – e.g. long video vs short clips vs static images.

File Formats, Compression and Delivery

Distribution is closely linked to file formats and compression. The same product may need different versions for different platforms.

Common Distribution Formats

Video – MP4/H.264 or similar for web and mobile streaming.
Audio – MP3, AAC or similar compressed formats for podcasts and music.
Images – JPEG/PNG for web and print; higher resolution for print products.
Interactive content – HTML5, app packages and platform-specific formats.

Optimising for Different Platforms

Use appropriate resolution and bitrate to balance quality and file size.
Consider streaming vs download – streaming needs stable connections and buffering control.
Compress files for web and mobile to load quickly, especially on slower connections.

Reaching and Engaging the Audience

A good distribution plan does more than upload a product once. It plans how to promote, share and update content across platforms.

Cross-Platform Distribution

Using a main platform (e.g. a website or YouTube channel) as the central hub.
Sharing supporting content on social media to drive traffic to the main product.
Using QR codes or links on print media to connect offline and online content.

Factors to Consider

Access to devices (phones, tablets, computers, consoles, TV).
Internet connection speed and data limits.
Whether the product needs to be available offline.
Time zones and scheduling for global audiences.

Video Overview

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Watch on YouTube R093 · Distribution Platforms & Media

iMedia Matters Podcast

Flashcards & Mind Maps

Use the NotebookLM for this topic to revise platform types, file choices and distribution strategies, then test yourself with its question tools.

📘 Open NotebookLM for Distribution Platforms & Media

Topic Slides

Download these slides for an in-depth look at distribution platforms and media — ideal for revision and exam preparation.

📑 Download Topic Slides (PDF)

Games to Practise Distribution Platforms & Media

These games help you match platforms and formats to scenarios, choose suitable file types and build strong exam answers about distribution.

Distribution

Distribution Dash

Match client briefs to the best distribution platforms and file formats for mobile, web, print and physical media.

MCQs Formats Platforms

Application · Suitability

▶ Play

Mega game · File types

File Types Forge

Choose the best formats and compression settings for different distribution scenarios, from streaming trailers to downloadable posters.

Mega game Formats Compression

Technical choices · Justification

▶ Play

All topics

Tackle mixed R093 questions, including distribution scenarios that test your understanding of platforms, audiences and technical choices.

Exam-style Whole spec Mixed difficulty

Knowledge · Reasoning

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Mixed exam

Escape Room: R093

Escape each room by answering questions from across the spec, including tricky distribution and platform scenarios.

Mixed Whole spec Challenge mode

Revision · Recall · Reasoning

▶ Play

Distribution

Distribution Platforms Picker

Match media products to the best platforms and methods of distribution, explaining your choices for the exam.

Arcade quiz Platforms Targeting

Application · Evaluation

▶ Play

Exam Practice – Distribution Platforms & Media (AI Marker)

Write your answers in the boxes below, then click Build & Copy AI Marking Prompt. Choose an AI tool and paste the prompt to get examiner-style marking and feedback.

Q1. State one advantage of distributing a music video on a video-sharing website. (1 mark)

Technique: Give a clear advantage such as “can reach a global audience quickly” or “viewers can share the link easily”.

Q2. Explain one reason why a charity might use social media as well as posters to promote an event. (2 marks)

Technique: Make one point about how social media helps (e.g. wider reach, interaction) and explain the impact on awareness or engagement.

Example structure: “Social media is used to… This helps because…”

Q3. Describe three factors a producer should consider when choosing a platform to distribute a new short film. (3 marks)

Technique: Give three distinct factors, such as target audience, device access and internet connection or data limits.

Q4. Explain two problems that could occur if a video is exported in an unsuitable format for a streaming platform. (4 marks)

Technique: For each problem, describe what might happen (e.g. buffering, poor quality, incompatibility) and explain the effect on the audience experience.

Q5. A college is producing a series of short tutorial videos to help new students. Discuss how the media team should choose distribution platforms and file formats so that the videos are easy to access on different devices, including at home and in college. Provide justified recommendations. (9 marks)

Technique: Organise your answer into paragraphs (platform choices, file formats, compression/quality and accessibility). Explain specific decisions and justify why they suit the target audience and context.

Paragraph 1: Platforms – website, VLE, video-sharing site, social media links.
Paragraph 2: File formats and compression – suitable video formats and bitrates.
Paragraph 3: Access and devices – mobiles, laptops, college PCs, offline options.
Paragraph 4: Promotion – how to share links and reminders with students.
Final paragraph: Conclusion – justify the best combination of platforms and formats.

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Can You Now…?

Describe different distribution platforms and when they are suitable.
Link file formats and compression choices to distribution methods.
Recommend platforms and formats for exam-style scenarios and justify your choices.
Explain clearly how distribution affects the audience’s experience of a product.