BTEC Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production (Level 3)

Unit 44 Music Based Programming

Paul Rossington

Unit 44 Music Based Programming

Unit introduction

Jobs in the radio industry often involve planning, producing or presenting music sequences, or all three. There are literally hundreds of music radio stations – national, regional, local, student, hospital and community stations – which organise their output within lengthy sequence programmes of three to five hours duration.

In-store audio, once distributed exclusively by recorded means, is increasingly being delivered live, either by satellite or online. As a result, differences in content between in-store audio and radio broadcasting have become less marked than ever before. Specialist production companies make in-store programming for supermarkets and other retailers. Music-based programming in radio and for in-store use requires a number of pre-production skills, including selection and scheduling according to the purpose of the material and the contexts within which it is to be heard. In both cases, its impact can be considerably enhanced by the incorporation of other elements, from branding to infotainment. Sometimes an element of audience interaction can make such programming even more interesting.

This unit will enable learners to develop skills in music-based programming for two different but closely related contexts in the radio and sound recording industries: radio broadcasting and in-store audio. Learners will develop an understanding of this type of programming in order to inform their production work and will also develop their ability to explain how the production choices made are suitable for the intended audiences.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit a learner should:

1 Understand different types and styles of music-based programming

2 Be able to create music sequences for different audiences

3 Be able to incorporate added speech and feature content into music sequences

4 Be able to review own music-based programmes with reference to purpose and audience.

Different types and styles of music based programming

Music-based programming:

Contemporary hit radio (also known as CHR, Contemporary Hits, Hit List, Current Hits, Hit Music, Top 40, or Pop Radio) is a radio format that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts. There are several subcategories, dominantly focusing on rock, pop, or urban music. Used alone, CHR most often refers to the CHR/pop format. The term Contemporary Hit Radio was coined in the early 1980s by Radio & Records magazine to designate Top 40 stations which continued to play hits from all musical genres as pop music splintered into Adult contemporary, urban contemporary and other formats. The term Top 40 is also used to refer to the actual list of hit songs, and, by extension, to refer to pop music in general. The format became especially popular in the sixties as radio stations constrained disc jockeys to numbered play lists in the wake of the payola scandal.

Recurrent radio refers to a group of songs still frequently aired on a contemporary hit radio station even several months or even years after the initial debut. It is also used to describe core songs in other radio formats as well. Most charts have special rules to determine when a song has become recurrent, at which point they are removed from current charts (such as the Billboard Hot 100) and placed on special "recurrent charts." Recurrent charts tend to be more static, with less week-to-week changes in popularity, than current charts.

Other radio formats include;

Gold,

Easy listening,

Classical,

Specialist;

From chosen eras, eg rock ‘n’ roll, seventies, current;

Selection criteria, eg aesthetics, target audience, constructing a narrative, audience interactivity, Top 40 charts

TASKS

Name a radio station that plays predominately each of the following radio formats

Adult Contemporary BBC Radio 2: BBC radio 2 is a radio station that is mainly aimed towards adults, playing older songs from older bands that would have been popular in the 90s and 80s. They also include news and sports updates. www.bbc.co.uk/radio2

Recurrent BBC Radio 1: BBC Radio 1 tends to aim their radio show at a lot of different age groups; they play recent music as well with the odd few that were popular months and even years back. www.bbc.co.uk/radio1

Easy Listening Smooth Radio: Smooth Radio brings its viewers a relaxing music mix. This station is mainly aimed at an older audience. Smooth Radio is a commercial radio station meaning that they get their funding through adverts. http://www.smoothradio.com/

Classical Classic FM: Classic FM is a radio station that is aired across the UK, that mainly only plays classical music. Their target audience is mainly focused on the older generation. http://www.classicfm.com/

Rock n Roll Kerrang: Kerrang is originally a Magazine company, but since 2004 Kerrang has also developed their own radio station. They aim their radio station at fans of Rock, Metal and Punk music. http://www.kerrangradio.co.uk/

Indie Rock X-FM: X-FM is a Indie Rock radio station, that can also fit into the Adult Contemporary category, for playing older music from recent bands, but songs that came out around 20 years ago. http://www.radiox.co.uk/listening-online/

Asian Asian Network: Asian Network is a BBC radio station that focuses on the Asian community in the UK. Playing music, updates from different countries in Asia and also interviews. http://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork

Gold Gold Radio: Gold is a radio station that plays “The Greatest Hits of All Time”, because of their USP their target audience is very big, aiming at teenagers and adults. http://www.mygoldmusic.co.uk/

Types:

Broadcast radio (public service, commercial)

The two types of broadcast radio stations each develop their playlists for a variety of reasons. Each of the public service stations have specific demographic profiles that their music is supposed to appeal to whereas commercial radio stations intended target audience dictates the music that their station plays.

Internet radio (public service, commercial);

Internet radio services are usually accessible from anywhere in the world—for example, one could listen to an Australian station from Europe or America. Some major networks like CBS Radio and Citadel Broadcasting (except for news/talk and sports stations) in the US, and Chrysalis in the UK restrict listening to in-country because of music licensing and advertising concerns. Internet radio remains popular among expatriates and listeners with interests that are often not adequately served by local radio stations (such as eurodance, progressive rock, ambient music, folk music, classical music, and stand-up comedy). Internet radio services offer news, sports, talk, and various genres of music—every format that is available on traditional radio stations.

In-store audio (promotional, ambient)

Many major shopping centres and major retailers use in store audio for a couple of major reasons. These can be for promotional purposes where songs are used to promote products and sales or where they choose to play ambient sounds to create a relaxing mood or atmosphere while patrons wander around the premises.

Styles:

TasksListen to a radio show of your choice for 1 hour and take note on the following aspects

ratio of speech or other audio to music(How much time was given to music/general speech/ news & Weather etc.?)

Kerrang Radio: Breakfast with Kate (7am – 10am)

The presenter would play 2-3 songs and each song would be played for 3-4 minutes. The presenter would speak and give information to entertain the audience for 1-2 minutes, and then there would be a few adverts played for around 2 minutes. There would also be another 2 minutes for worldwide or Kerrang related news and updates.At least 2 – 3 songs are played at a time before the presenter talks again or there is an advert break, the radio stations jingle is played in between the music and adverts. They play songs from a few older bands like Iron Maiden, but also some recent bands like Panic! At the Disco, Fall Out Boy, Bring Me The Horizon etc.

branding and identification (How many times do you hear the station name/logo/jingle)

During the hour broadcast the radio station’s jingle is played at least 16 times, in between songs, in between adverts and before the presenter would talk. The name of the radio station would be mentioned a few times but the Jingle would be played quite often.

Was the content chosen for aesthetic reasons The content that was chosen to be in the on aired broadcast was all to do with the genre of music that Kerrang play, the content was music related. Sometimes the presenters would talk about topics outside of the station to keep the show interesting. The content isn’t inappropriate meaning that even though their target audience is mainly teenagers and adults, younger viewers could listen if they were into the station’s genre of music.

Was it suitable for its intended target audience

Kerrang’s target audience are mainly teenagers and adults, fans of rock, metal and punk music. They deliver the music that they said would be played. There is no inappropriate content used just in case any younger listeners tune in. Kerrang radio station is suitable for its intended target audience. They played older rock n’ roll songs from the 80’s and 90’s this can bring in another age group into the station’s audience,

this widens the station’s target audience and makes the station a lot more known and popular. The mix between the different types of rock music especially the different decade the music is from, brings in a wider audience, it keeps the younger viewers interested as well as the older.

Presenters style:

Personality

Anonymous

The presenter was Kate Lawler at Breakfast. She is very confident and informative; she has a kind calm voice which is good for the listeners. She gives information on any tours and updates from different bands and also updates with Kerrang, she talks about topics outside of the station to keep the viewers interested and the show entertaining. She spoke clearly and from the sound of it had a kind and welcoming personality; she talked about the bands being played and gave updates of the Kerrang awards.

vocal delivery:

conversational

informative

Tours for the bands that are shown on the show are promoted, and news with the Kerrang awards and tour, this keeps the audience interested and gives them updates on everything that they might be interested in. The presenter was very informative when it came to news and gossip, worldwide news and also Kerrang (Music) related news.

Be able to create music sequences for different audiencesOur assignment task relates to producing a 1 hour radio show for a designated target audience.

Content: specific formats, eg CHR, AC, gold, recurrent, easy listening; appropriate to time period (breakfast, daytime, drive-time, evening); duration (for broadcasting, for internet, for in-store)

TasksPrepare a playlist for an hours show for two completely different radio formats

Format 1 – Contemporary Format 2 – Gold (Classic Rock)1. Sleeping With Sirens – Kick Mehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnAdy_wvxMo

Guns N Roses – Welcome To The Junglehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr8-E8may2Y

2. Bring Me The Horizon – Avalanchehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5hpHRKUvWM

Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar On mehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HndTMmVIKRc

3. Asking Alexandria – Killing Youhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncdo9NEfCJI

Bon Jovi – It’s My Lifehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx2u5uUu3DE

4. Pierce The Veil – The Divine Zerohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzOF3R7lnok

Quiet Riot – Bang Your Headhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_1ruZWJigo

5. New Year’s Day – Kill Or Be Killedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDIqbM_Q1gE

Aerosmith – Walk This Wayhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL4uESRCnv8

6. The Pretty Reckless – Heaven Knowshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHBxJCq99jA

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirithttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg

7. PVRIS – Firehttps://youtu.be/i1y0y1EDcHM

Green Day – American Idiothttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI

8. Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Darkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIWmsP3c_s

Bryan Adams – Summer of 69https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFjjO_lhf9c

9. Of Mice and Men – Would You Still Be Therehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW6TxK5HNNg

Giant – Chainedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AhWFdUR7ws

10. My Chemical Romance – Welcome To The Black Paradehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDWgsQhbaqU

Bon Jovi – Wanted Dead Or Alivehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRvCvsRp5ho&index=37&list=PLDZNLev0enbqHVynlnyVRMSue3BG7YWJL

Discuss why you made the choices above

Audiences: eg age group, social class, gender, lifestyle, sexual orientation, geodemographic, local, regional, national

TasksPrepare a playlist for an hours show for two completely different audiences

Audience 1: Pop (Young Teens) Audience 2: Kids1. Paramore – Still Into Youhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OblL026SvD4

Demi Lovato – Let It Go (Frozen)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHue-HaXXzg

2. 5 Seconds of Summer – She Looks So Perfecthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2BYmmTI04I

Frozen – Do You Want To Build A Snowman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-zXT5bIBM0

3. Justin Bieber – Sorryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ELbX5CMomE

The Little Mermaid – Under The Seahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC_mV1IpjWA

4. One Direction – Drag Me Downhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwgf3wmiA04

Pocahontas – Colours of the Windhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvvZ1TEQRB8

5. Adele – Hellohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQHsXMglC9A

Aladdin – Prince Alihttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEryAoLfnAA

6. Little Mix – Love Me Like Youhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WpoKRnoPRU

The Lion King – Hakuna Matatahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB5ceAruYrI

7. The Weekend – Can’t Feel My Facehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEI4qSrkPAs

Beauty and the Beast – Be Our Guesthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afzmwAKUppU

8. Mark Ronson – Uptown Funk ft. Bruno Marshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPf0YbXqDm0

The Lego Movie – Everything Is Awesomehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEjwnxFXl-A

9. Taylor Swift – Shake It Offhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM

Pharrell Williams – Happy (Despicable Me 2)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-GLuydiMe4

Format 1 – I chose to use this format because, I love this kind of music and it connects to young audiences such as teenagers and young adults. The songs listed are by bands from this decade, which makes this format contemporary because it’s recent music.

Format 2 – I chose to do a classic rock playlist from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s because it would bring it a larger audience, it would attract an older age group which would make my target audience wider. This music attracts a wide audience, from an older age group and some from a younger age group.

10. Fifth Harmony – Worth It ft. Kid Inkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBHQbu5rbdQ

Willow Smith – Whip My Hairhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymKLymvwD2U

Discuss why you made the choices above

Audience 1 – I chose this kind of audience because it is different to the type of music that I would normally listen to. This kind of music is aimed towards young teens so basically under the age of 14. This type of music would mainly be aimed at kids and young teens, it’s not inappropriate, and the artists aim their music at a younger audience.

Audience 2 – I chose this kind of audience because it is different to my first choice, it is for small children under the age of 8, and the music is from Disney shows and various other children films. Music that is appropriate for that kind of age group. This type of music can be played to children in between the ages of 0-8.

Context: eg broadcasting, internet, in-store (using sales techniques and promotion, point-of-sale advertising, brand awareness, general promotion, ambient music); targeting demographic groups (age, social class, gender)

TasksPrepare a playlist for an hours show for two completely different contexts

Context 1: Student Radio Context 2: Shop Radio (Guitar Shop)1. Sleeping With Sirens – Do It Now, Remember It Laterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HjBq9aZ9cw

Metallica – Whiskey In The Jarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsrvmNtWU4E

2. All Time Low – A Love Like War ft. Vic Fuenteshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDbVY3gCJgg

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Minehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w7OgIMMRc4

3. Panic! At The Disco –The Ballad Of Mona Lisahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOgpdp3lP8M

AC/DC – Highway to Hellhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEPmA3USJdI

4. Bring Me The Horizon – Thronehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow_qI_F2ZJI

Nirvana – Come As You Arehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vabnZ9-ex7o

5. Fall Out Boy – My Songs Know What You Did In The Darkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIWmsP3c_s

Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Namehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrZHPOeOxQQ

6. My Chemical Romance – Na Na Nahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egG7fiE89IU

Kiss – I Was Made For Loving Youhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diKz9udywg4

7. Twenty One Pilots – Guns For Handshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmv8aQKO6k0

Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wallhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR5ApYxkU-U

8. Paramore – Ignorancehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH9A6tn_P6g

Kansas – Carry On Wayward Sonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X_2IdybTV0

9. Pierce The Veil – A Match Into Waterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ-H_i1K2n4

Def Leppard – Rock Of Ageshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4CZfac0N0E

10. PVRIS – My Househttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aQz-aKvyQU

Led Zeppelin – Good Times Bad Timeshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auYKJTv94Tg&list=PLEkR4zsbGEyj_Ffp_fPFufl91fHvcV0s6

Discuss why you made the choices above

Context 1: I chose this playlist because I knew that I could focus this playlist on music that would fit into a gold and contemporary radio station, playing songs from bands that are still together but songs from around 10 years ago.

Context 2: I chose this context because I wanted to focus it on a different kind of shop; I wanted to use a guitar shop for this playlist. And when I visit guitar shops like PMT they play a lot of classic rock music, focusing on when rock first became popular.

Be able to incorporate added speech and feature content into music sequences

Content: Live reads, eg dry, over beds; Cousin to the ad-libbed commercial, live read refers to when a DJ reads an advertiser’s spot on the air, delivered from a script, fact sheet or personal knowledge. It can also refer to when the DJ “endorses” the advertiser’s goods or services.

A link into pre-recorded material; for radio, eg interviews, feature items, traffic bulletins, competitions; can relate to a piece of material being pre-recorded that can be used numerous times on different shows. A presenter can be talking about a topic and then cue an interview or sound bite that adds depth to a story.

Content for in-store, eg sales and promotion, commercial messages, infotainment; transitional material as punctuation, eg jingles, stings are used on loop in many occasions and are usually pre-recorded. It makes more sense than a voice over artist repeating the same script throughout a period of time.

Purpose: Adding speech and feature content into a radio show has numerous different purposes. On the radio the purpose of this content could be for ratings (An interview with a famous person) to aid the format (adding detail when identifying a song that was played), public service (News broadcasts fall in this category), commercial (Advertising or live reads), regulatory issues (, sponsorship; in-store, e.g. increased sales, brand awareness, customer retention

Be able to review own music-based programmes with reference to purpose and audience

After the broadcast of most radio shows, station managers and number crunchers want to gauge the response from the audience. Ratings figures dictate advertising revenues and listener satisfaction with content can determine whether they tune in again next time. For this reason it is important for us to thoroughly review our programmes to assess it on a variety of factors.

Key Words

Aesthetics for the purpose of this unit we will define aesthetics as "critical reflection on art, culture and nature”.Accessibility is the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible

TASKIn class we will listen to a 30 minute section of a chosen groups radio show where we have previously identified its target audience and what the show usually entails. Make some bullet point notes to comment on the following;

Fitness for purpose

Compared with original intentionsTechnical Qualities

Aesthetic qualities

Accessibility to target audience

Audience response: quantitative, eg ratings; qualitative, eg by appreciation index (AI); questionnaires; focus groups; peer reviews

TASKIn class we will attempt to gather information regarding the audience response to your radio show. This information can then be used for your assignment task.

Quantitative Research (Who listened)

Qualitative Research (Why did they listen)

How will you gather this information?

Resources

Beaman J – Programme Making for Radio (Routledge, 2006) ISBN 978-0415365727

McLeish R – Radio Production, 5th Edition (Focal Press, 2005) ISBN 978-0240519728

www.radioacademy.org – a site dedicated to senior industry figures and academics