Finding the right combination of music and talk is a non-scientific task. Break length and music count are issues nearly every programmer wrestles with. How long talk breaks should be is among the most discussed topics on nearly every station with personalities.
How Long Talk Breaks Should Be
This is one of the most important decisions for programmers to face. Get it wrong by allowing talk breaks to go too long, and the show may drive listeners away.
But tight restrictions can prevent character traits from coming through. The content may never become sticky enough to advance through stages in the Personality Success Path.
Spoiler alert: There’s no magic answer to the break-length question. That’s like asking how long a song should be, or the ideal length of a movie. It depends on many factors! Knowing when to tighten or loosen the talk leash is difficult!
One thing is universal, though:
The right to talk more is a privilege granted by the audience.
Talk breaks should increase when content becomes more of an attraction than music. Sounds simple.
At the end of the day, the issue isn’t length. It’s about the pace, momentum, and energy of a break. But in the radio business, programmers worry more about length.
The goal is to find the proper balance for each show.
