RADIO PROGRAMME CLASSIFICATION

Radio and Television are based on major three categories programmes. Radio broadcasting ever since its birth has kept growing in terms of its programmes, policies and target areas in order to meet the requirements of its listeners and ever changing demands of the time. Following diagram shows the programmes classification in both medias:-

Radio programmes can be classified on the basis of various criteria. However, the broad classification of programmes is made on the following basis:

Aims of programme

Audiences of the programme

Formats of the programmes

AIMS OF PROGRAMME:            Under this approach programmes are classified in accordance with the overall aims conceived by the planner. This classification comprises entertainment programme, information programme, educative programmes or social purpose programmes.

AUDIENCES OF THE PROGRAMMES:        Radio programmes can also be classified into various kinds in terms of the target audience they address. Children programmes, women programmes, youth programmes, students programmes and programmes for senior citizens and rural listeners etc.

FORMATS OF THE PROGRAMME:   A common and established classification of radio programmes is to categorize them in terms of various formats such as drama, talk and discussion etc.

Radio programme formats are well familiar to both the programme makers and the audience, hence names of formats are announced as such. Sometimes at a radio station separate programme section are established and production staff is assigned there e.g. Drama Section. Music Section, talk section etc.  The programmes are planned, produced and presented with efforts to create a novelty in style. 

The three types of programme classification are often referred to the literature and broadcast practice. In real practice, however, all these types of programmes are often studied in a natural sequence according to the demands of target area.

Other kinds of programmes are as follows:-

TALKS:         Radio talk is written in simple day to day spoken language. Talks are often planned in series but there could be some stray talks according to the need of time or emergency.

INTERVIEWS:       It is most important and widely used format of radio broadcasters, as people like listening to the people talking with each other.

DISCUSSION:         Being an interactive form of oral communication is a suitable format for radio. To exchange our ideas thoughts with fellow human beings, it is the most ancient the most effective natural and spontaneous vehicle. Like talks and interview radio discussion is also an indigenous format of the sound medium. Following are the types of discussions:-

o        Panel Discussion

o        Forum Discussion

o        Audience participation discussion

o        Symposium

DRAMAS:     Dramas are now days is diverting to television. Because its now commercialized and visualized. To write a radio drama is very difficult because there are no visual no characters. And to attract the listeners the tactful writing material should be available. Now days different NGOs sponsors the informative dramas on radio, otherwise this type is now decreases in radio.

DOCUMENTARY:            It is a interprets real life situation programme. It is basically a programme which presents various aspects of topic fact or subject objectively.

MUSIC:         It is the most favourite kind of radio. Now days the main aim behind the radio is to play music for listeners, during music the broadcaster plays commercials and earn money.