D1 - Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions

The common codes of a radio show is that any and every radio show will have these three occurring factors: music, jingle and dialogue. A jingle will help those who listen identify what radio show they are listening to as well as give a small dosage of the personality, energy and feel the radio show will have. Dialogue will always be included in a radio show as there must be at least a presenter discussing what will be playing or talked about when there isn't any music playing. Music in itself is an important part of a radio show and will be balanced with the dialogue and chat segments, as well as keep the listeners entertained or even hook them in while the presenters have a break. These three points will always be used in professional or independent radio, including the one I have made (Serene FM).

Codes

My radio show follows these codes through including segments where each of the main factors will be included. There are be segments with calming music, such as the relaxing ending, segments with relaxing speech, such as the animal news, and even segments with both, such as the meditation. Silence will only be used if mandatory or fitting with what had been included, like a breathing segment, but will not be continues as that is known to drive any listeners away from radio shows. An extended silence may be used to show respect or create a dramatic effect for something important.

Jingles

Most radio shows also have a jingle, which a short song which fits the energy and the theme of the radio show its about. My radio show has a variety of jingles with different instruments for different radio segments but the same tune every time, to solidify the identity. It's tune will  not be longer that 10 seconds and as simple as a few keys being played but in a way that's endearing and easy to remember.

Dialogue

Dialogue is a perfect balance used with the music, and can communicates on an interesting subject matter if needs be. It can also equate to simple banter between hosts and presenters which creates a homely and comfortable environment while listening. This can also include guest or celebrity appearances as they add onto a subject or are the main subject in themselves. How the audience is also addressed is important as they also need to feel as if they are being communicated to as well as whoever else is talking. Failing to do so will result in the listeners disassociating with the radio show and clicking off. This dialogue doesn't need to be scripted either and can be done naturally or from the top of someone's head.

The dialogue also helps with setting out the structure of a radio show, as having dialogue in it would requite their to be topics and things to talk about, which would therefor need to be segmented into specific parts.

Comparison

BBC 3 Radio follows the codes and conventions of a radio show through using those three factors in its production. This station is mainly a classical music meaning that said music is the main factor of the show, with dialogue and any jingles being back seated. All dialogue discussed in the radio show favors the music, weather it be discussing what song is being played, the artist and history of the song, and what will be played next. Jingles will also be used for the same effect, as to introduce a segment of music or addition of the show. Silence in this radio show is used a little more than in the usual radio show, including my own, but with the context that is a slow paced and relaxing, it makes sense for it to have so many quiet pauses. These work with the radio show rather than against it and that, as well as the codes and conventions, makes the radio show stand out as its own thing and keeps listeners engaged. 

Similarities

In presentation and presenters in our radio shows are very alike. We both use a relaxing and elegant tone (I try to anyway) as we speak, in order to calm the reader and make them feel comfortable. The presenters are also mostly female, similar to mine, with the occasional male presenter, which I cannot access. Women have naturally gentle and softer voices compared to men who are more deeper. The presenter introduces the segments in the same way as I do, in which she introduces each segment even before it starts in case it piques the listeners interest.

The music we use is also similar in the sense of it being slow, classical music with many different instruments. Although BBC 3 users this music more often than I do, it's still similar with the same purpose of comfort and relaxation, with BBC also including a hint of nostalgia for it's older audience who recognizes these songs from their youth. My music is solely used for meditation and clearing the mind.

Our radio show structures are also similar with how it's laid out. Both BBC 3 and Serene FM have a repeated method of [INTRODUCE SEGMENT 1 2 3 AND 4]  - [PLAY SEGMENT 1 AND 2] - [HAVE ADVERT BREAK (more on this in differences)] - [PLAY SEGMENT 4 AND 5] - [END]. Although for Serene FM this comes to an eventual end as, for the rest of the night, music is played without a presenter, BBC manages to continue this with switching presenters for each time of the day, meaning the radio show can continue for 24 hours.

Differences

Their main differences come from what topics they focus on in the radio shows. To simply put, Serene FM focuses on meditation and nature, while BBC 3 focuses on orchestral music and history. Although both of these topics are niche and too specific for the mainstream audience, they're both far from alike and result in the radio shows being completely different when it comes to what they talk about and what they offer for the listener.

This also leads to the target audience being different, as BBC 3 has a very specific audience of elderly people who enjoy listening to classical, slow music of many different centuries and artists. Serene Fm's target audience is much more vast and unfocused as it appeals to the everyday person with ordinary struggles and need a break from the day-to-day life through calming meditation sessions and mental health focuses. Even though they both can tie into one another, as it really depends on the listener's personal preferences, they contrast with who they're trying to appeal to and the way they appeal to that audience.

BBC 3 also offers different main content to the listeners as well as much more variety in what they do compared to Serene FM. BBC 3's focus on music from older generations contrasts my focus on meditation and peace as well as the balance between music and talking being different as BBC 3 has more over the other.