Radio Station Formats Music Formats What a radio

Radio Station Formats

Music Formats What a radio station's music format sounds like is governed by four parameters: l music style l music time period l music activity level l and music sophistication

Music Formats Music Style refers strictly to the type of music played.

Music Formats Music Time Period refers to the time of the music's release. These are the most popular time periods. l "Current" music generally refers to music released within the last year, l "Contemporary" music generally refers to music released within the past fifteen or twenty years, l "Oldies" generally refers to music released between the mid-50's and the mid-70's, and l "Nostalgia" refers to music released prior to the mid-50's.

Music Formats Music Activity Level is a measure of the music's dynamic impact, ranging from soft & mellow to loud & hard -driving. "hard rock", "smooth jazz".

Music Formats Music Sophistication is a reflection of whether the musical structure and lyrical content of the music played is simple or complex.

Radio Station Formats l Hard Rock - The term often used for stations which play rock music designed to be played loudly, also includes, "metal", and "heavy metal".

Radio Station Formats l Adult Contemporary - popular and rock music released during the past fifteen or twenty years, designed for general listeners rather than for listeners actively interested in hearing current releases.

Radio Station Formats l Americana - mostly current country-rock, folkrock, blues and American roots music which tends to appeal to adults more than to teenagers. l Classic Rock - rock music released during the 60's, 70's and 80's. These stations recreate the sound of Album Oriented Rock stations of that period (although often with a much more limited playlist) and appeal mainly to adults rather than to teenagers.

Radio Station Formats l Contemporary Hit Radio - a significant amount of current popular music, whether singles or album cuts. As it is no longer unusual for a single to remain on the charts for 30 -40 weeks or longer, "current" refers to music released within the last year.

Radio Station Formats l Dance or club - music, whether or not current, produced primarily to be played for dancing. This type of music was originally known as Disco music.

Radio Station Formats l Oldies - popular, rock 'n roll, and rock music released during the "golden era of hit music", roughly 1955 -1975.

Radio Station Formats l Personality - Programs or formats which rely on the personalities of an on-air host or hosts to entertain listeners, often with humor, parody, satire, or commentary on current events. Personality programming may also include music, interviews, and other features.

Radio Station Formats l Smooth Jazz - easy-going popular music with a "jazzy" feel, designed to set a mood rather than to invite critical listening. "Smooth Jazz" is often set to a mediumtempo or "hip-hop" beat.

Radio Station Formats l Big Bands - popular music recorded by the Big Bands of the late 30's and '40's, music recorded by Big Band-era singers during the 40's and '50's, and/or interpretations of the "standards" of that period, including recent interpretations.

Radio Station Formats l Urban - music, such as rap, hip-hop, r&b, and soul, in the styles which are the descendents of rhythm & blues music of past decades. The mix favored by any given station depends in large part upon the age of the station's audience.

Radio Station Formats - music which evokes musical styles of one or more regions of the world, but is not necessarily performed by musicians from those regions or aimed solely at listeners from those regions. l World Music

Radio Station Formats l Talk - features one or more hosts discussing current events and other topics, often in the context of a particular political ideology. Talk programs frequently feature in-studio guests and calls from members of the public, representing varying degrees of expertise. Health, medical, and financial topics are especially popular

Radio Station Formats l Educational - features educational programming and music. May serve as a training ground for future broadcasters. l Religious - features religious programming and music.