Radio Production

Radio is immediate. 

All you need now to record for radio is simply a mobile phone; even iPhone quality is of a publishable quality.

It is an intimate media source in a way the other media can't be. It gives the odd quality of you and a presenter talking to you, like a conversation. It's personal. Their voice is in your room, your car, even your work place. It makes listeners feel like it's a trusted and reliable source for facts and news.

What Do You Need To Know About Radio Journalism?

Headlines

Headlines are a one line summary of each of the main stories of the day; they either precede a bulletin or programme which then revisits the stories in detail. Sometimes they can be a stand alone headline, for instance in a programme for which bulletins are read out on the hour and headlines at the half hour.

Bulletins

Bulletins are usually between two and five minutes in duration and usually start with headlines. They will be presented by a newsreader/journalist. They often contain a voicer or voice piece; a different journalist summarising the story. Bulletins can also include a two-way with another reporter; for instance "Sarah Wilson is now live from London". They can also include audio cuts of interviews, press conferences and expert comment. A vox pop (Latin for voice of the people) can also be included.

News Programmes

News programmes often begin with headlines and/or a short bulletin. They explore top stories in greater detail and can include additional stories related or unrelated to top stories. The interviews included can be both live and pre-recorded. There may be debate, comment and commentary included.

Magazine Programmes

These can be narrow or wide-ranging but generally have a specific remit. They're less likely to start with bulletins or headlines unless it starts at, for instance, 10am and follows a programme. Magazine programmes may react to something that's happened that day and can cover both topical and timeless issues/stories. They're more likely to include other items such as audience interaction and phone-ins.

Packages & Documentaries

These usually include cue by presenter. The introduction and conclusion will usually be spoken by reporter as well as links recorded either in studio or on location. They usually will include one or more interview and may include vox pops, music, sfx, actuality and archive clips. All the aforementioned elements are packaged together which is, surprisingly, where the title 'package' comes from. Documentaries are basically packages but are usually longer and in more depth.

Target Audiences

Target audiences are defined by age and social demographic. An age demographic is commonly in groups of 10 to 20 years, e.g. 16-24, 25-44. The style and format of what is produced will be dictated by the target audience to which the station aims it's output.