Multimedia Training Kit Introduction to Radio Formats for Community Radio Developed by AMARC Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Session overview Introduction Radio stations Radio programs Program components Examples of programs / formats Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Introduction Three levels of formats: Radio stations Radio programs Program components or formats Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Radio stations Radio sound characterises community radio making it distinct. Talk Music General Listeners should recognise themselves in the radio sound of their community radio. Radio regulations determine percentages of music, talk and advertisements. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Radio programs News programs Magazine programs Talk and talk-back (phone-in) shows Music Drama Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Programme components News bulletins Reports Features Interviews Discussions and debates Phone-ins (talk back) Radio drama Talks / vocals Editorials Music Jingles Community announcements Advertising Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org News bulletins Present information about local, national, and international news and current affairs in order of importance or interest. Start with a short lead which sets the context. Who? What? Where? When? and Why? Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Reports Complement to news bulletin Usually done from the field. Place event / situation in context. Can be broadcast live or pre-recorded. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Features Provide in-depth perspective. Require a clearly defined topic and angle or focus. Scripted and edited. Often contain music, sound effects, interviews or vox-pops. Require thorough content research. Usually part of a news bulletin or magazine program. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Interviews Talking to one or more speakers to ask questions and extract information. Choose your interviewee carefully. Discuss the questions with the interviewee before the interview. Be clear about the messages. Summarise main points at the end of the interview. Do not try to trick or surprise your interviewee. Be sensitive ! Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Discussions and debates Discussion: conversation between host and one or more guests. Debate: discussion in which people with opposing views present their positions. Listeners can be involved through phone-ins. The host is the facilitator and responsible for managing the discussion. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Phone-ins Listeners invited to phone in to radio station to express their opinions or share experiences. Effective way to create dialogue and interaction with listeners. Not all radio stations have the technical infrastructure required. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Radio drama Drama tells a story: fiction or based on real-life issues and events. Effective tool to help listeners connect with issues on an emotional level. Edu-drama is drama used for an educational purpose. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Talks or vocal Short scripted stories or commentaries. Can be used as an introduction, highlight, or to stimulate discussion. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Editorials Short piece giving station’s point of view on issue or event. Can be used, e.g., to support or propose policies or courses of action. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Music Music a key element in many programs. Often used as linking device between elements of a program. Particular formats used to reach specific audiences e.g. jazz, classical, pop, country and western. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Jingles Simple, catchy tune or rhyme. Attracts listener’s attention. Reinforces message. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org Advertising Words, songs, music, jingles, etc. used to draw attention to a product or service. Often significant source of revenue. Governed by regulations about duration, frequency, content, etc. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Community announcements Brief announcements of local information. Basic service of community radio. Reinforce interactive links between listeners and community radio Support and empower community organisations. Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Programming and radio formats Examples of Programs and Radio Formats Time duration Type of program Type of formats used Title Audience 2-15 minutes News bulletin Jingle, news, reports, interviews, talks News from the community General 27-57 minutes Magazine Jingle, interviews, feature, music, news, announcements Women’s rights Women Talk show Jingle, radio drama, interviews, music, announcements Mike is yours 1-3 hours Radio drama The decision   60 minutes Debate Debates, phone-in Our rights 15-60 seconds Station ID Jingle, vocals Public announcements Jingle, vocals, announcements Community announcements Advertisement Publicity Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org

Multimedia Training Kit Introduction to Radio Formats for Community Radio Developed by AMARC Thursday, November 29, 2018Thursday, November 29, 2018 Multimedia Training Kit www.itrainonline.org