[PREV - POSTRADIO]    [TOP]

RADIO_CHANGE

                                                 May 29, 2011

    When "the radio show" becomes
    "the web cast", there's a
    large change in the perception
    of the beginning of the show.

       With broadcast radio, the
       listeners can be expected to
       be trickling in gradually:          And further, listening
       few set an alarm and tune-in        to a broadcast is rarely
       at the top of the hour.             an act of focused attention--
                                           unless you're an exterme
          If you've got the freedom        radio freak.
          to lay out the show as you
          like (as is typical in the         The vast majority of the
          non-commercial radio world,        audience is driving a car,
          and *only* in that world),         listening to the radio
          you might as well get some         with half an ear.
          required announcements out
          of the way, before you get
          into the real show.


       As a greater proportion of the
       audience is moving to the internet,
       both of these details change:

         Someone listening to a time-shifted
         webcast is likely to be starting
         right at the top of the hour when
         the automated system began recording.

         And the audience, at least when the
         show is started *is* listening with
         focused attention, as they decide
         whether to stick with this broadcast
         or move on to something else.

            This means that the start of a
            webcast is the critical point
            in the show, the one and only          DEATH_OF_THE_ALBUM
            "sweet spot" that you can count
            on.

               First point: delay *all*
               required announcements as
               late as is allowed (unless,
               of course, you feel an
               announcement *deserves* to
               be featured).  Stacking the
               beginning with announcements
               is a formula for tedium that's
               likely to lose most of the
               audience.

               Second point: consider the
               "musical theme", should you
               begin every show with the
               same piece of music?

                 This is a hard one:

                 Theme music can be a really
                 powerful trick, it makes the
                 show instantly recognizeable,
                 it adds a dependable element
                 of ritual to the practice of
                 listening to the show.

                 On the other hand, if the show
                 literally begins with the theme
                 you lose all hope of identifying
                 *which* particular show it is
                 just by listening... if you're         At the very least,
                 trying to solve the problem            a spoken introduction
                 of "have I heard this one yet"?        before the theme
                 the theme music is an impediment       would seem to be
                 that needs to be fast-forwarded        adviseable.
                 through.
                                                           But large amounts
                    There's also the problem that          chatter or
                    it's a rare piece of music             administrivia
                    that can stand up to this              is very bad:
                    kind of abuse, to be listened          get to the point,
                    to over-and-over.                      fast.

                    Further, it complicates the
                    problem of smooth segues,
                    particularly if you don't
                    stick to any one type of       In one case I know of,
                    music.  Every show must        the DJ picked a very
                    begin from the same place,     "catchy" piece of music,
                    no matter where you intend     (getting it stuck in your
                    to take it.                    head was a pain whatever
                                                   it's merits), and the DJs
                                                   taste shifted over time,
                                                   so that the theme no
                                                   longer fit the rest of
                                                   the music.





--------
[NEXT - COOL]