The basic elements of a radio programmes are, Word, Music, Effect and Silence which convey messages, ideas or thoughts. The listener creates his/her own pictures with the help of these elements. Keeping in view the nature and emphasis, radio programmes are broadly grouped under the following areas: Spoken-word, News and Music programmes. News also comes under Spoken-word. However, due to its distinct identity it constitutes a separate category. The basic formats of Spoken-word programme are: Talks, Discussions. Interviews and Plays. Features, Documentaries and Magazines, Talk Shows, Commentaries, Quiz, Poetry Recitation, Radio Reports and Advertisements are some of the other formats of spoken-word.
SPOKEN-WORD PROGRAMMES
Talks and Discussions Format
Most of the spoken-word formats are talk-based. Talk is a straight delivery of words by a particular speaker. Radio talks are generally of short duration i.e. 5 to 10 minutes. Talk can be an effective format to present an opinion on an issue or a problem. These are generally planned in advance; however, talks on important items or current affairs are also arranged at a short notice. In large radio stations, the producer prepares schedules of talks on a quarterly basis wherein; subjects relating to Economics, Politics, Science, Sports, Social, Art, Culture, Festivals, Anniversaries etc, are included. In Special Audience Programmes emphasis is placed on talks of specific relevance and importance to the target audience.
In sharp contrast to the talk, which is presented by one person, a discussion generally includes Radio Formats 2-3 participants and a moderator. A discussion presents analysis of an issue from different angles and brings forth more than one opinion on a given subject. The subject may be political, social, cultural or issue based but it must evoke the interest of a listener and sustain it. The duration of the discussion varies from 15 to 30 minutes depending upon the topic, utility and the number of participants. The role of the moderator is crucial for the success of discussion. She conducts the discussion, introduces the subject as well as the participants. She facilitates the presentation of diverse viewpoints and provides equal opportunity to each participant to express views. The discussion is concluded by summing up the main issues raised in the programme.
Interviews
An interview requires the participation of two people; the interviewee and the interviewer. Interviewee is the subject expert who may be a political leader, scholar, adventurer, dancer, actor, comedian etc. An interviewer raises questions and queries about the subject, personality or issues to elicit more details for the audience. The interviewer always keeps the objective of the interview in mind. She brings the expert to focus on those points, which are related to the objective. The interviewer asks appropriate supplementary questions, hence; the ability to listen attentively and to think quickly are essential attributes of an interviewer. The interviewer needs to do his/her homework thoroughly and study the background of the interviewee to bring forth new, interesting and vital information. It is important to note that the interviewee is the main focus of the interview and the questions are framed in such a manner that the listener's doubts or queries are addressed. The technical aspects, microphone placement, background noise etc. should also be kept in mind while producing an interview.
Drama
Radio Play, according to Robert McLeish, a well known authority on radio broadcasting "is wing of words and action into satisfying pictures within the listeners mind by using the techniques of drama." The medium in its relationship to drama is unique. According to W.R. Auden a renowned author. 'the disembodied voices of radio' can create characters and setting conveniently. The listener constructs a profile of each character in mind according to his/her interpretation. The principles of radio drama also apply in commercials, dramatized readings, short serials and educational programmes meant for children.
Music and effects play an important role to create and understand the characters and the time frame. Effects such as a car drawing up, car stopping urgently with the screech of tyres, passage of time through ticking of clock, night time through owl hooting, early morning through cock crowing, outdoor rural setting through birds singing etc. help to spin the imagination of the listener. With the help of these special effects radio drama conveys not what is real but what is understandable. However, using too many effects restricts to convey the message. Music and Effects are primarily used to underline a specific dramatic point.
Features and Documentaries
A Radio feature is a 'sound picture of a person, event place or development imaginatively presented by a creative person'. Radio documentary belongs to the genre of features. It is referred to as "radio dramatic presentation of actuality'. According to Robert McLeish, "4 documentary programme is fully fact based on documentary evidence, written record, attributable sources, contemporary interviews and the like. Its purpose is essentially to inform, to present a story or situation with a total regard for honest and balanced reporting. If the producer sets out to provide a balanced, rounded and truthful account of something or someone - that is a documentary". Writing and presenting a Feature requires creativity. Gathering facts, presenting them creatively, the art of using music and effects, selecting proper voices are some of the challenges, which the producer of features has to face. Both features and documentaries include more than one basic format of spoken-word. The dividing line between a documentary and a feature is very thin. One of the largely accepted views is that if the producer provides a balanced and truthful account of a place or a person, it is considered a documentary. However, if she gives greater rein to imagination and does not stick to the facts, even though the source material is real-\that is a feature. New formats such as docu-drama, (combining the elements of documentary and drama) have also emerged. We should be careful to ensure that fact and fiction are not combined and their boundaries are clearly demarcated, maintaining the essential difference between what is real and what is not.
Scripting and voicing are important requirements for both feature and documentary. While scripting, only the simplest possible terms are used. Language is kept in tune with the overall tone and tenor of the programme. Minimum words are used allowing the actuality of recordings to explain the subject. The narration should sound natural and clear to sustain as well as enhance the listener's interest. Shouting, preaching or talking down needs to be avoided at all cost.
Magazines
Where have you come across the term magazine? It must be in the print media. As in any magazine the content has a variety of formats including features, interviews, cartoons etc. Magazines have distinct character, style and contain articles, features, poems etc., usually on the set columns or pages. Similarly in radio, &he magazine format has a distinctive character of its own. A radio magazine includes a variety of items such as an informative talk, an interview with the expert in the field, poetry, a quiz etc. All these items are presented with suitable linkages. In spite of the variety in content, the items of the programme follow a set pattern and are usually presented in the next edition in a similar order. Radio magazine could be thematic like a science magazine, sports magazine, literary magazine or cultural magazine programme. The title of the magazine programme itself helps to' identify the area and focus of the programme. For example Khel Patrika, Vigyan Patrika or Sports Magazine.
Commentaries
Running commentary is one of the popular formats of radio. In sharp contrast with television, in which visuals unfold an event, a Radio listener 'sees' the event through the word picture given by the commentator. Radio commentary is faster than television, as the radio commentator has to give the details, which the TV camera provides. A radio commentator has to mention whether the sky is clear or overcast, what is the colour of the dresses of the teams playing the match or if a batsman in a cricket match is wearing a helmet or not and so on. You may wonder how a commentator is able to recognize the players in a hockey match, where the game is so fast. First of all the commentator gets the list of players in advance, which would mention the names of the players and their positions of play. Secondly, they have jersey numbers on their back. The information helps him/her to recognize the players. The commentator also takes pains to meet the players before the match to familiarize him/herself with the players. Usually, those who have played the particular game for a number of years are assigned the task of sports commentary.
Talk Shows
Talk shows have become very popular on television. Talk shows are also organized on radio In this format, two or three speakers are invited to speak on a given topic, and the audience present in the studio question them. This may be termed as an extension of interview format in which one person talks with one expert. In talk shows, the experts may be more than one, and the persons to ask the questions are also more than one. Experts are called to speak on social issues, Cartoonists may speak on creativity, Literary writers may speak on their style of writing, Doctors speak on health related issues such as AIDS or problems of drug abuse et~. People from different walks of life or from the related field, as per the objectives of the programme are invited to participate and ask questions. Experienced and articulate anchor persons conduct the Talk shows and navigate the programme with style, wit and a sense of humour to make it interesting and lively.
Quiz
Quiz programmes are generally studio-based. The participants are invited according to the topic selected for the quiz. The Quiz Master, who conducts the programmes puts questions to the participants, gives them reasonable time to answer the questions and announces the correct answers. The level of the questions is kept appropriate to the level of the target group. The duration of the quiz programme is generally kept 20 to 30 minutes. The time, duration and nature of questions varies according to the target group.
Reports
A Radio Report is based on outside recording (OB), including excerpts from speeches, eyewitness accounts with actuality, interviews, and statements by the local authorities etc. Radio report uses a narrator in order to link up pieces of actuality sound pertaining to an event. The presenter's job is to put this material into a coherent perspective, filling the gaps. The chronology of the event should not get distorted despite various parts being presented if the report in a different order. The producer here resorts to the technique of "back and forth" in order to give prominence to important segments of the event. Keeping in view the primary purpose of communication to keep the listener informed, radio report brings to the listeners an account of functions, happenings, accidents, visits of important personalities, or any cultural show or exhibition. This format can be effectively used to cover various functions in an institution. The duration of a radio report is usually of 10 to 30 minutes depending upon the importance of the event.
Advertisements
Advertising is a paid form of communication and its prime objective is to sell a product or an idea. This is generally done by imparting information, developing attitudes and inducing actions beneficial to the advertiser. Social Advertising is also undertaken on various themes, such as Consumer protection, Environmental protection, Health care, Polio vaccination, Communal harmony, Exercising ones franchise etc. Among the various mass media available, advertising on the Radio is extremely inexpensive. Commercial advertising on the radio is accepted as spots or jingles from 10 to 60 seconds duration. The sponsorship of certain programmes is accepted and the sponsor gets Free Commercial Time (FCT) to advertise his/her product or service. The advertisement tariff is related to the reach of the radio station, listener-potential, the duration and time of broadcast. Time check advertisements which are in the form of a slogan or jingle normally of seven seconds duration are accepted on commercial channels.
The client usually approaches an advertising agency with his/her advertising requirements. Agencies have their own creative departments and production departments.
The agency converts the client's objective into a message and ensures the following factors:
whether it grabs attention;
whether it is relevant;
whether it is centered around a promise; and
whether it is branded clearly.
The agency uses different formats including music in preparing the advertisement. Before the advertisement is finalized pre-testing is also done. The advertisement for broadcast has to be in conformity with various regulations.
Poetry Recitation-Symposia
In addition to the above, some other programmes, viz., poetry recitation, also make use of the spoken-word. Renowned poets and upcoming poets are invited for such broadcasts. Mushairas and Kavi Sammelans of 30 or 60 minutes duration are planned, recorded and broadcast. Poetry recitation has its special attributes and form, which is quite different from the prosaic form of our speech and conversation. Lyricism is also an ingredient of poetry, an effect is created by its inherent rhythm and meter. It easily lends itself to musical presentation. Poetic expressions are capable of condensing an entire philosophy or concept in a few words or couplets. The effect of the poetry is achieved through emotive impulses delving deep into the meaning of the words. The style of recitation adds to the impact of the poetry. Poetry recitation is a part of oral and social traditions of our society. Mushaira, Kavi sammelan get tremendous response among Indian audiences. Poetry is not the staple diet of broadcasting; however, to reflect all contemporary art forms, poetry recitation cannot be overlooked. Poetry recitation is a part of literary magazines on radio; poetic symposia are presented like concerts.
NEWS PROGRAMMES
News Bulletins
News Magazines
Newsreels
INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMES
Phone-in Programme
Radio Bridge
Voice Mail
To obtain feedback of the listeners, letters are invited from them. However, this form of feedback has its limitations. It is through writing only, which takes time. People generally avoid writing letters and expressing their appreciation or criticism of a programme. To overcome this, Radio stations have now dedicated telephone for receiving voice mail. The listener can now record hisher views, opinion or suggestionsover phone at an tilne, which will be automatically recorded on the tape. The 'replies to listeners letters' p I ogrwmes include the comments of the listeners in their own voice recorded in the Voice Mail Box,, along with replies. Thus, radio is able to get a quicker feedback and that too in listener's OlGn voice. Listening to one's own voice over radio not only involves the 1istener"m a programme, but also forges a sense of belonging and affinity with the radio station.