Radio Shows Evaluation

Urban Hip Hop

There were a few alterations I had to make to my sequence to make it perfect for my target audience. However, the sequence went very well overall and I believe it suits the target audience well as the songs mix nicely and it’s a good variety of popular hip-hop songs.

The main thing I wanted to do to enable the audience to engage with the music is include at least two classic hits. I have 'Juicy' by The Notorious B.I.G and also 'Frontin'' from Pharrell and Jay Z, two very well-known songs in Hip Hop.

I had to cut a bit off the beginning of 'Juicy' as the track I downloaded started with the artist doing some talking. There was the same problem with a couple of other tracks featured on my sequence, however they were minor and easy to eradicate. Another problem, which was quite likely considering the genre of the show, was swearing. I had to go through all the songs and ensure any offensive language was taken out.

I had a few segues and stingers in my show and I believe I was very clear in the way I spoke and very informative with regards to what was to come in the show.

Overall, the sequence was rather simple to put together and the finished piece works well, with all the tracks interlinking well. All new songs are sandwiched between two classic songs in order to keep listeners interacted with the show.

Adult Contemporary

I didn't need to make many alterations to my Adult Contemporary sequence, certainly less than with my Urban Hip Hop. I felt like the sequence just fell into place, the songs all seemed to fit well together and the main thing I needed to do was place them well with each other and edit fades and links.

There were some songs where I had to cut off the end as it was just dead space from the certain tracks I downloaded. I think the songs work well for the target audience and I made sure I didn't go over the top with the mixing between the songs as this is a show for an older audience. I wanted to pass on a calm feeling to listeners, to give them a show that they can comfortably listen to whilst they're doing whatever they may be doing, e.g. marking.

I thought my 'Visit Brighton' piece went well, I used someone elses voice rather than my own which I believe was vital as it gives the show variety instead of just my voice throughout. I believe the topics I spoke about were relevant for the listeners who may have families they could take down to Brighton. I do, however, believe I could have put more stingers into the show and created an Adult Contemporary jingle. I wasn’t as ‘in your face’ as I was for my urban Hip-Hop show as the listeners for this one expect a calmer approach.

I was happy with the stingers and segues I placed in my show, I believe I spoke in a very clear manner and was informative.

PRE-PRODUCTION PLANNING WORKSHEET

PRE-PRODUCTION PLANNING WORKSHEET

Name: Craig Burke

Production: My Student Radio Show & My Staff Radio Show

Task 2: Creation of Music Sequence
Task 4: Making your student News Feature
Task 5: Putting together your Student Show
Task 6: Making your adult orientated Brighton Feature
Task 7: Putting together your Staff Radio Show

Overview of the whole Project (summarise what you have been asked to do across all the tasks): Task 2: I need to create two 20-30 minutes long music sequences for the college radio. One sequence was an Adult Contemporary and the other was Urban Hip Hop. Task 4: I need to create a 3 minute news feature in Adobe Audition for radio. Task 5: I need to record my final student radio show, plan it all beforehand and then upload the finished show on to Soundcloud. Task 6: I need to research, script and create a three minute mini-feature about what Brighton has to offer as a tourist destination. Task 7: I need to record my final staff radio show, plan it beforehand and then upload the finished show onto Soundcloud.

Skills, knowledge and experience required to complete the project (you may wish to deal with all tasks in one block or seperate out the tasks) : I need basic knowledge, such as linking songs together and using segue's on my music sequences. I also need to know how to use the equipment in the recording room and also Adobe Audition. My researching and writing skills are good so I shall be able to Task 6 quite well. I also need to have a wide knowledge of different target audiences as I will be creating sequences for various audiences.

Facilities - what production equipment / facilities will you need? (you may wish to deal with all tasks in one block or separate out the tasks) : Task 2: I need to use a room with computers so that I can access Adobe Audition and create my sequences. I also need headphones so that i am able to listen to my work. Task 4: Again, I need Adobe Audition so that i can create my news feature. This means I need a computer room and some headphones. Task 5: I need to be able to use the recording room so that I can record my show. I will also need a computer to allow me to upload my finished show to Soundcloud. Task 6: I need a computer to allow me to research and create my script for my mini-feature. I'll need to use Adobe Audition to record my script. Task 7: I need to be able to use the recording room so that I can record my show. I will also need a computer to allow me to upload my finished show to Soundcloud.

Materials Required - what other things might you need to complete the tasks i.e. music, vox pops etc. I need to download music from YouTube to insert into my sequences. I also need my jingle to start off my sequences with. I also need vox pops that i have from my visit to Brighton. I can then use these for task 6.

Contributors (who do you need to contribute to the project? eg. specialists, experts, talent , public etc): For all the tasks that involve music, I need music that has been produced by artists. For my vox pops, i need recordings of interviews that took place in Brighton.

Locations: In what places will you complete the assignment? The majority of this assignment will be completed in college, however for task 6, it was partly completed in Brighton which is where I gathered some of my research. I shall complete my recordings in the recording room and I will gather research and create sequences in classrooms with computers.

Codes of Practice / Regulation (Discuss here the implications of the MCPS-PRS, Copyright, Ethics, OFCOM, Legal Considerations. For a radio show to play an artists music, they need to have a PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) and a PRS (Performing Right Society) licence. If they do not hold both of these licences then they will be fined for playing the music. The size of the fine depends on the size of the radio station. When the station plays an artists song, the PRS/PPL pay royalties to the artist. This is the case with all artists and is done through music reporting forms. OFCOM are the regulators for radio stations and it is they who will fine a station if they do not have a licence and also if they break OFCOM rules. These rules include protecting under 18's against material that is unsuitable for them by scheduling the show, as well as simple rules such as ensuring competitions are conducted fairly. A good example of a rule breaking this is when Jonathan Ross harassed Andrew Sachs. Along with Russell Brand, Ross broke privacy rules when they left offensive and crude messages on Mr Sachs' answerphone. It is important for a radio station to have a high level of trust with its audience. If the audience find out that the station is persistently breaking OFCOM rules then it may be enough to shy them away. The NUJ (National Union of Journalists) has a code of conduct which applies to all journalists. The code states what a journalist is forbidden to do. E.g. journalists are only to intrude peoples privacy if it is in the public interest. It was important that I was aware of the code so that I could ensure I didn't break it.

PLAN (Plan all the tasks you need to do to complete the assignment)

Tasks	Deadline	Done	Notes

Craig Burke - Jingle

http://soundcloud.com/livefromtheblock/craigbstinger

1. What is a radio Ident/Stinger?

This is a jingle that can open up a show and lets the listeners find out the information they need to know.

2. How do you make your stinger in the studio?

We play a song and then the reduce the volume of the music so it can only be heard in the background as we talk in to the microphone and say what we need to say. When we finish talking, we turn the volume back up and fade it out.

3. What is special about the music you used for your stinger?

The music i used for my jingle is a song that people will enjoy hearing, it's a song with a beat that everyone loves and will go down well.

Styles of Programming - Classic Hits

Classic Hits

Description of Format: Classic Hits is a music format for adults. It includes Rock and Pop music from 1964-1989.

Examples of Classic Hits:

• Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
• The Beatles - Help
• Abba - Mamma Mia

The Classic Hits format can be found on radio stations like Magic FM, Heart FM and Gold.

The target audience for my sequence is 30+ and for males as well as females. It is also good for people who are not fans of modern music. Stations like Magic have shows dedicated for when people are driving home.

Music Sequence:

1. Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
2. Queen -  A Kind Of Magic
3. Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
4. Billy Ocean - Love Really Hurts Without You
5. Michael Jackson - Billy Jean
6. Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf
7. The Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
8. Whitney Houston - How Will I Know?
9. Dexy's Midnight Runners - Come On Eileen
10. Stevie Wonder - Overjoyed

My sequence will be of interest to my target audience as it features 10 popular and classic hits. The target audience will be able to relate to all music that is played. 

The first part of my sequence features rock songs and after that the music is more mellow and there is more of a love theme.

Styles of Programming - Urban Hip Hop

Urban Hip Hop

Hip Hop is a culture that started in the 1970's in New York. The music is a mixture of rapping and DJing and is more commonly known as just 'rap'.

Examples of Hip Hop:

• The Notorious B.I.G - Juicy
  
• Jay Z - 99 Problems
  
• Kanye West - Through The Wire

 Hip Hop music can be found on radios such as Choice FM, BBC Radio 1Xtra and Kiss FM.

The target audience for my sequence below is people between the age of 15 and 35. It's mostly for males and anybody who is relaxed and likes well worded songs along with good beats.

Music Sequence:

1. Jay Z and Kanye West - Nigga's In Paris
2. The Dream feat. Pusha T - Dope Chick
3. Kid Cudi - Pursuit Of Happines
4. Jamie Foxx feat. Drake and Kanye West - Digital Girl
5. The Notorious B.I.G - Juicy
6. John Legend feat. Teyana Taylor - Bliss
7. Pharrell feat. Jay Z - Frontin'
8. Red Cafe feat. Ryan Leslie and Rick Ross - Fly Together
9. Kid Cudi - Creepers
10. Kanye West feat. Rihanna - All The Lights

My sequence is of interest to my target audience as it features 10 songs from some of the most popular and well known artists in Hip Hop. It features popular music that the audience will like and the sequence starts and finishes strongly. it has a mixture of new music with the popular material and there is a simliar vibe throughout. 

There are three 'extremely' popular songs in the sequence and I have paced them at either end and in the middle. I have included 3 new songs and each one is sandwiched between two popular songs as well as being scattered out in the sequence. I have limited the new material as too many new songs could make the audience disinterested as they like to be familiar with what they are hearing. That is why it's vital to have a balance between well known and new music.

Music Radio Formats Poster

10 Minute Questions

Music Programming

1. What is 'Music Programming'?
   Music Programming is a form of music production where you use electronic devices to generate music. This is done in nearly all forms of electronic music and is also used in Hip-Hop.
   
   
2. What is a station 'format'?
   A station format is what kind of music and talk is presented on a certain radio station. E.g. Rock music is a format and is played on Kerrang.
   
   
3. Please give an example of two radio stations, the format and an example of two tracks.
   On Majic FM, they play classic hits such as 'Jammin'' from Bob Marley and 'Fast Car' by Tracey Chapman. Alternatively, Radio 1 are Top 40/ contemporary hit radio. They play music such as 'I Cry' by Flo Rida and 'Let Me Love You' from Ne-Yo.
   
   
   
4. What is and 'ABC playlist'?
   
   An ABC playlist ranks music by how frequently a song is played. Songs in the A category are played often, whereas songs in the B category are played sometimes. Songs in the C category are played every now and then.
   
   
5. Explain how the choice of music would affect profits of a commercial radio station.
   
   It is important for every single radio station to play and talk about what the listeners want to hear. If the presenter plays to many new songs then listener numbers will decrease as people like to hear what they know. 2-3 new songs every 10 is advisable if you want to retain listeners.
   
   
6. Explain some techniques in music programming to keep the listener interested, with examples.
   
   As i said, it is important to limit new material and play songs that listeners will be familiar with as it will encourage them to listen to the station again. It is also important to scatter popular items across the show, for example if your doing a competetion then perhaps have people compete in that competition once every hour instead of lots of people at once.
   
   If it's a station that plays various genres of music then it is important that you don't go from one genre to a complete opposite genre as it could decrease the listeners mood to listen to your station. You can also use a segue to apply a smooth transition between two items.
   

Radio 1Xtra

BBC Radio 1Xtra is a music station based in the United Kingdom. It is BBC Radio 1's sister station and is broadcast from the same building in Central London. 

The station specialises in Urban, Hip Hop and Garage and targets people between the age of 15-30. A majority of the music played is British, however it also features North American music including Hip Hop and R&B. The station also plays other genres of music such as Grime, Dubstep and Reggae as it attempts to reach a wide audience. Popular DJ's on 1Xtra include Trevor Nelson and Tim Westwood (right).

Artists such as Conor Maynard, Professor Green and Ne-Yo are frequently played on the station, however the station isn't all just music. When I listened to the station, half the time was taken up by interviews and news bulletins. Producers Insomniax were live on the show which was being presented by DJ Target who has a show every Sunday afternoon between 16:00 and 19:00.

Every weekday there is a breakfast show from 6:00 until 10:00 which is presented by Twin B. Trevor Nelson also has a weekday slot between 10:00 and 13:00 where he plays a variety of popular music.

The stations presenters frequently read out emails, texts, tweets etc which have been sent in by listeners which shows the level of interaction between the station and the people listening. If you would you like to listen to station then click on the link below which will take you to the 1Xtra Radio Player.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_1xtra

Music Based Programming