Whilst every radio programme is different, and every radio presenter has their own style, there are a number of ingredients that remain constant in most radio programming. Organising these elements into a useable template will often take the pressure off the concept of regularly having to put together a programme. This can make the performer more relaxed and being more relaxed should perform better and more effectively.
The Mentality Behind Setting up a Radio Programme
It’s a common feature of a lot of sporting performance that the competitor follows a well-rehearsed and familiar set-up procedure. Golf is a good example. Golfers often approach the first tee with a familiar and settling procedure that often gets them “into the zone.” They’ll generally also have a pre-shot routine either practiced or unknowingly adopted they employ as they hit every shot on the golf course. Every individual has their own routine. This can vary from a distinctive wiggle or a waggle, gripping and re-gripping, looking up at the course and then down at the golf ball often several times.
Some of these pre-shot routines to the casual observer can often appear very strange, but they all presumably work in each way for each individual golfer. You’ll see this pre-shot routine apparent in:
- Soccer players as they take free kicks
- Fooball players
- Tennis players
- Pool and snooker players
- Hockey players
- And in a myriad of other sports.
Books have been written, sports instruction courses promoted and psychologists have made careers out of it, but the theory behind it is that it settles the mind and body of the individual at the start. There is therefore every reason why a radio presenter would benefit from setting up their own pre-show routine. Something you do every time before you start a programme.
Setting up a Running Order
Planning a radio programme, at least one that happens on any regular basis, for example daily, or weekly and one that might last 2, 3, or 4 hours, couldn’t reasonably happen from scratch every time. Setting up a menu, or a running order makes life easier for all the programming staff involved, not least the presenter, and makes better radio.
“Preparation is everything,” one of life’s well known rules, applies equally to radio. A template for a programme menu can be organised as follows:
- First establish the time-regular features that appear in every programme
- Then set times for these features e.g. News, Traffic, Commercial Breaks, Promotions, and Reviews etc.
- In Talk programming: space should then be decided for Phone-ins, Studio Guest Slots and Comment.
- Or In Music programming: the running order and positioning of songs
- Then allocate times for occasional features like Weekend Information, Competition even Obituaries
- Add in where Jingles and Idents are most likely to be played.
- Finally set up a clock time for each of these inserts.
The final template will depend on the running time of the programme. The running time and look of the template for one hour, two and four hour programmes may look different but the process is the same.
The Practicalities of Planning a Radio Show
Once you’ve decided on all the ingredients for the radio show and set-up a running order, there should be no great difficulty or great secret to setting these out in a readable form. This can include:
- A vertical form with times set out to the left hand side, inserts to right.
- A clock face, divided ‘Pizza’ style with the time round the outside, features in pizza slices.
- You can set-out the programme graphically.
As each regular radio programme may have different features and styles, and each presenter may present in their own style, every template will differ to suit this style
Planning a Radio Show for the Presenter and the Listener.
Once a template is established to suit the style and contents of the radio show, using a blank template and completing it before the show, establishes a sound for the programme both the presenter and the listener will quickly become familiar with it.
Such a template makes organising a regular programme so much quicker and effective and allows the presenter or presenters to be familiar with what they’re doing and therefore relax quicker. More relaxed presenters make better and more professional radio programmes.
It’s a normal human, and therefore radio listener trait, often to like and accept quicker what we’re familiar with. A regular radio show we like listening to has a familiar style with familiar presenters and familiar inserts, be they music or speech. We will readily accept new features in the middle of this familiarity. A Radio Template quickly establishes this format.
Sources:
Peter Smart, Essential Radio Skills, A&C Black 2010
Chis Aldridge, Profile Annoucer Article, BBC College of Production 2011
Dan McCurdy - Dan McCurdy is a freelance writer producer creative and lecturer. Dan is one of the UK's most experienced radio writers and producers. ...
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