Clock Structure

Most programmers follow traditional programming thinking when setting up format clocks. They play The Ratings Game by stacking commercials in most advantageous positions (the Bow-Tie theory) and clear out certain quarter-hours when the most...

Listeners constantly form opinions and make decisions on whether or not it’s worthwhile to stay tuned. They often switch stations after stopping for just a few seconds. This creates a unique challenge for radio...

Many radio stations build a strategy around being "the most music", but that claim doesn't hold up when listeners compare stations against other forms of entertainment. Even commercial-free tactics don't hold up against streamers...

R

Many radio stations strive for success by manipulating stop sets to allow for longer commercial-free sweeps in the market's most listened-to quarter hours. Does it work? Well, there are pros and cons. But this...

The battle over most music rages on, though today's competition comes from new technology as much (or more) than from other radio stations. If programmers could find room to play 2 more songs every...

Every programmer knows what the strongest songs are. Or at least they should. Listeners can't get enough of the big hits. The turn-it-up songs guarantee a win in a button-punch comparison battle between two...

The best way to program commercials is to go commercial-free. Okay, that's not likely. So what is the best way to schedule those pesky spots? What is programming's best practice on stop set placement?...

At any hour of any day, tune in any station in any market. What is on the radio? Sameness. Commercials happen at the same time on most stations. Promos are the first element in...

Short attention spans demand clear, simple, worthwhile, short messages. Or, a longer, compelling story that unfolds with miniature payoffs leading toward a suspenseful end. Either way, the key is efficient, focused presentation. The problem...