1. Audio Video Production
Radio Shows
Then & Now
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2. 1st Commercial Radio Station
KDKA in Pennsylvania
November 2, 1920
Narrow-casting
Broadcasting
Henry Davis read the Presidential Election results
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3. The FCC Regulates Radio
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) was needed to regulate the frequencies and power of radio stations
Radio stations have call signs
In US, station call sign letters start with K west of the Mississippi River and with W to the east of the Mississippi River
There are exceptions to this rule
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4. FCC Licensing Radio stations must have an FCC license to operate
Commercial
Non-commercial
DJs must also have permits
Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
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5. AM Radio The first radio stations were AM (amplitude modulation)
“the Golden Age of Radio”
Characteristics of AM radio
Lower audio quality
Frequency range: 531–1611 kHz
Longer range (especially at night)
Increase of interference in large cities
Clearer signals in mountain regions
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6. FM Radio FM (frequency modulation) Characteristics of FM radio
Higher audio quality
Frequency range: 87.5–108 MHz
Shorter range (based on power of radio station transmitter)
Less interference in large cities
Poor signal in mountain regions
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7. Early Radio Broadcasts
First electronic mass entertainment medium
Besides news and weather, radio shows are included:
radio serials, quiz shows, commercially sponsored variety hours and children’s shows
Can you name some memorable or pivotal radio broadcasts from this era?
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8. Radio vs Television
With the advent of television, radio ceased to be the main form of family entertainment
Radio stations settled into a select group of formats:
News
Talk / Sports
Music
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9. Everybody wants to be a DJ
The DJ (on air talent) is the voice of the radio station
Other jobs at a station include:
Station Manager
Program Manager
Hot Clocks, programming selections
Producer
Legal IDs, Station IDs, Drop-ins, PSAs
Engineer
Advertising & Sales
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10. Radio Stations Today
HD Radio (digital signal embedded on the frequency of the radio station)
Internet Radio
Podcasts
Internet only radio stations
Satellite Radio
Radio on Cell Phones
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11. Example of a Hot Clock
A Hot Clock is a visual representation of all the elements needed to complete a one-hour radio show
Hot Clocks vary with a radio station’s format (i.e. commercial, non-commercial, music, news, talk, etc.)
and the hour of the day
:00 - Legal ID 12
Drop-In
Drop-In
PSA
Segue 1
Bronze (fading) track
Gold track
Power track
Gold track
New track
Power track
Comm. Break 3
Segue 2 9 3
Segue 4
Comm. Break 1
Gold track
Power track
Bronze (fading) track
Bronze (fading) track
New track
Gold track
Power track
New track 6
Drop-In
Segue 3
Drop-In
:30 - Station Promo
and Comm. Break 2
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12. Create your own Hot Clock
First you need a radio station with a call sign
Search the FCC FM Broadcast station database for call sign letters that are not currently in use
Determine the format
Music, Talk, News, etc.
Required elements for your Hot Clock:
Legal ID
Segues (more than one)
Drop-Ins (more than one)
3 different types of information (e.g. Local News, Gold track, Phone Lines Open for Caller Feedback)
Once you have an outline, use a ruler and pencil to draw lines from the center dot to the edge of the clock to block off the time for each element (IDs and drop-ins can be placed on the line itself without a block to represent them)
As the Program Manager of this station, you make these decisions. Be Creative!
:00 - Legal ID 12 9 3 6
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