Let’s talk about music beds—the unsung hero or unwanted guest of personality radio. Used properly, they can add just the right vibe. Used poorly, they can sink your segment faster than a caller singing a Nickelback song during a karaoke version of Name That Tune. Most radio personalities use music beds gratuitously, but very few use them strategically. And that’s a problem—if you don’t know why you’re using music beds, it’s probably hurting more than helping.
Before we dive in, a side note: You may have heard that, in PPM markets, a music bed helps Nielsen devices hear your talk content. That is no longer the case, but many programmers and personalities continue to add a music bed “just in case.” If you insist on doing it, keep the volume low and avoid driving drumbeats, guitar licks, and horns that distract the audience.
