Timeline

Production and Distribution of Radio

• Chris Price is the head of Music for Radio 1 and 1Xtra, who is responsible for deciding the playlists which can make or break new musicians.
• After 7 pm the Radio 1 music is chosen by DJ and show teams rather than what is on the playlist
• Made up of around 50 songs used through the week, depending on which playlist it is on
• A list- these songs are played the most- around 25 times a week
• B list- music usually gets played around 15 times
• C list- your still on the playlist but only played around five times
• In music we trust- this is for testing out new music so songs don't get much air time
• Chris Price says Radio 1 has a unique brand as it introduces new artists alongside pop artists
• They try to play new artists straight after big names like: Justin Timberlake and Ed Sheeran
• About 14 people meet every Tuesday that look through all the songs that they want to be put on the playlist over the next week, this helps them to always stay up to date
• BBC introducing is where you send your music if you want to get onto Radio 1 where Chris Price and his team decide if your good enough, this happened with: Florence and the Machine, James Bay and Jake Bugg
• He says that the radio is like the sky that pushes you in the right direction of what you want to discover

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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As a producer you are thinking ahead to the end of the show, what is coming up for each link and making sure they are most prepared
• A team assistant is in charge of ensuring everyone is prepared e.g making sure callers are ready to be put om air
• Fiona (assistant producer) make sure guests know exactly what is going to be talked about, what can't be mentioned, checking everyone is sounding well
• Music team: work from 4am till 7pm making sure they do not playlist the same music all the time

PREPARATION:

• The routine for the show is largely decided the day before (guests, competition etc.)
• Still have room to do whatever to make sure they are up to date
• First few hours of day reading through current topics
• The script: more of a flexible structure for each half hour
• List of things to be brought up that can be added in whenever is most suitable
• Don't have set creative meeting due to the type of guests coming in (big guest= best questions and features are needed)
• Use a group chat to constantly share new ideas
• Constantly thinking about what can be used for the show
• Have a good flexibility of who they can have on the show

TEAM DYNAMICS:

• small office space, sat very closely (important to know what people need and how each person works)
• the producer and assistant are always in constant dialogue so everyone knows their responsibilities and what gaps need to be filled.
• everyone tries to teach each other new skills
• constant change and new ideas with some continuity to have a good balance
• Everyone enjoys working with each other so they get through the time quickly
• Have to trust every part of the team

ENJOYABLE AND CHALLENGING:

• New production and new management brings new and exciting material for the presenters
• Everyone helps each other to improve
• Early starts
• Very busy and stressful show but has a good feeling afterwards
• After a while it doesn't feel like a job because everyone enjoys themselves
• There is a constant expectation to sound good but there isn't a pressure to produce good numbers
• The satisfaction of interesting their listeners
• Some guests are quite difficult if they don't stay on very long or aren't open to talking very much
• If guests start ranting they have to remind guests that they are on the air and may have to terminate the interview

BREAKING INTO RADIO:

• Try to do things that help you learn about the industry (working for free)
• Skills are learned through experience rather than courses
• Try and talk to people as much as you can about how they improved their careers
• Try to make sure you know how to communicate
• Directly approach people in the industry (do not be scared and stay persistent)