Chapter 8 Radio ProgrammingRadio Regulation and Format DesignRadio stations can choose their own programmingSection 326 - Communications Act - gives broadcasters freedom fromcensorshipAmerican Radio has ‘format freedom’Task - provide attractive programming to meet informational and entertainment needs of audienceMatrix of Radio ProgrammingLocal Programming - original programming produced by radio stationPrerecorded or Syndicated Programming - obtained from a commercial supplier outside the stationNews and Talk Network Programming - obtained from radio nets such as ABC, CBS or National Public Radio, Premiere Radio Networks, etc.Networks & Feature, Program SyndicationNetworks & Feature, Program SyndicationTypes of Radio ProgrammingMusic - most popular form of radio programmingPrerecorded or syndicated9 out of 10 stations have music as mainstay News/Talk Local shows includes news, sports, weather, trafficPopular talk personalities have syndicated programs that a distributed by networks via satelliteModes of Radio ProductionLocal, live Production station employs its own announcers and newscastersLive-assist Production station uses syndicated programming service but retains local announcersSemiautomation – station uses syndicated producer for majority of programmingTurnkey automation station is fully automatedSemi/Turnkey AutomationModes of Radio ProductionLocal, live Production station employs its own announcers and newscastersLive-assist Production station uses syndicated programming service but retains local announcersSemiautomation – station uses syndicated producer for majority of programmingTurnkey automation station is fully automatedVoice tracking computer automation makes it possible to program more than one station with same personnelVoice TrackingCreating the Radio FormatFormat - the overall sound and image of the radio stationIncludes station’s approach to talk, music, promotion, ads community relations, personalities, etcKeys to successful formatTo identify and serve a predetermined set of listenersTo serve those listeners better than the competitionTo reward listeners both on and off the air, make them consistent customersfor the products and services advertised on the stationDeveloping the Music FormatThe “Format Hole”Programming StrategiesDo a better job at a specific format than the competitionDevelop a niche that will deliver a large enough audience to attract advertising revenue to the stationInternal FactorsStation ownership, dial location, power, technical facilities, management philosophyExternal FactorsGeography, population characteristics, program weaknesses (other stations)Audience AnalysisGoal of radio programming - attract and maintain an audienceTarget Audience - the primary group sought by the station is defined byDemographics - age, education, racial/ethnic background, sexPsychographics - attitudes, beliefs and lifestylesListener DemographicsRadio has phenomenal reachReaches; 90%+, Persons 12+Just under half of all 12+ listen between 6 and 10 A.M.Between 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. radio reaches more people than TV, cable,newspapers, magazines and online servicesDemographic categories – age breakouts (e.g. 18-24, 18-34, 18-49)Ideal Target Group - women, mid-30sListener PsychographicsAdvertisers and programmers want this type of information measures qualitative characteristics (values and lifestyles of listeners)Attempts to understand AttitudesBeliefsLeisure pursuitsPolitical interestsRadio DaypartsMorning Drive 6-10 A.M. – most important timeEvening Drive 3-7 P.M. – second most important timeDaytime - 10 A.M. - 3 P.M. – about one in five people listenEvening and late night – after 7 P.M. ratings drop as people watch TVWeekend radio - Saturday late morning and early afternoon are most importantRadio Listening Throughout the DayThe Hot ClockThe “format wheel” - looks like the face of a clockUsed to plan and execute the station’s soundShows where music, commercials, news, occur within the program scheduleStations may use different clocks for different daypartsChart/PlaylistRotation of Music is a Main Purpose of the Hot ClockRadio Programming TerminologyThree main types of information on hot clock:Commercial time positionsPromotional positionProgramming - music and news/talk segmentsClutter - when too many commercials have been placed onthe format most stations program between 8 and 18 minutes of commercials per hourRadio Programming TerminologySpot sets/Stop sets - the commercial and promotional segments of the hot clockSubcategories of musical segmentsCurrent hits - given most airplayRecurrent - recent hits still popularGold - oldiesSegue - overlap one program element with anotherSweep - musical setTeaser – promote upcoming program elementT&T – Time & TempLiner – Artists and songPromo- Promotional announcementFront-sell/Back-sell – listing of what will/has playedFormat EvaluationPlaylist - stations publish list of songs played on specific formats - used by major record labels to gauge what gets airplayTip Sheets - Billboard, Radio and Records, iTunesCall-ins - requests to station are logged inCall-outs - ‘hooks’ are played over the phoneAuditorium tests - 200+ song hooks test with large groupFocus group study - in-depth interviews about musical preferencesThe Payola IssueA problem from the early daysMurray the KAllen FreedDick ClarkPayola – taking something of value in exchange for on-air presentation/promotionSec. 508 of the CAAddresses disclosure to station managementSec. 317 of the CAAddresses sponsorship ID requirementsRecord Company Settlements• Funds to be distributed to not-for-profit entities and earmarked for music education programsSony/BMG, $10 million Warner , $5 millionVivendi Universal Music Group, $12 millionEMI, $3.75 millionFCC, April 13 2007 New s Release:BROADCASTERS PAY $12.5 MILLION TO RESOLVE POSSIBLE “PAYOLA” VIOLATIONSIn addition, the broadcasters (CBS Radio, Citadel, Clear Channel and Entercom). agree to implement certain business reforms and compliance measures under Consent Decrees signed by each:Prohibition on company stations and employees exchanging airplay for cash or other items of value except under specified conditionsLimits on gifts, concert tickets, and other valuable items from record labels to company stations or employeesAppointment of Compliance Officers and market-level Compliance Contacts responsible for monitoring and reporting company performance under the Consent