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Chapter 3: Programming
The Radio Station
Chapter 3: Highlights
•The AC format, in its variations, features older pop hits (since the 1970s) and more
recent songs to supplement a library of current pop standards. It appeals
particularly to 25- to 49-year-old females, which attracts advertisers. It often
utilizes music sweeps and clustered commercials. AC has spawned a variety of
subgenres, including Adult Hits, Adult Standards, and iPod imitators Jack and
Mike.
•Easy Listening/Smooth Jazz stations evolved from the Beautiful Music stations of
the 1960s and 1970s. Featuring mostly instrumentals and minimal talk, many
stations have become automated and use prepackaged programming from
syndicators. The primary audience is over age 50. Its following has dwindled in
recent years owing to myriad softer AC formats.
•All-Talk combines discussion and call-in shows. It is primarily a medium-
and major-market format. Like All-News, All-Talk is mostly found on AM
(and is the domain of conservative talkers) but is now finding a home on
the FM band. All-Sports has boosted the nonmusic format’s numbers and
•Classic Rock concentrates on tunes once primarily featured by AOR
stations. Meanwhile, Classic Hit stations fill the gap between
Oldies and CHR outlets with playlists that draw from 1970s’ and
1980s’ Top 40 charts.
•Religious stations are most prevalent on the AM band. Religious
broadcasters usually approach programming in one of two ways.
One includes music as a primary part of its presentation, whereas
the other does not.
•Public and noncommercial stations typically employ a block format promoting
diversity rather than a single form of programming. NPR is proactively
developing its online presence and podcast library.
•The PD determines the content of each sound hour, utilizing
program clocks to ensure that each element–commercial, news,
promo, weather, music, and so on–is strategically located to
enhance flow and optimize impact. Even News/Talk stations need
program clocks.
•Payola (plugola) has plagued the medium since the 1950s and continues
to this day. The illegal pay-for-play practice requires careful monitoring by
the station’s PD and manager to ensure it does not occur. Large fines
have been dealt to those stations violating the FCC laws governing this
practice.
