Broadcast Programme Formats

In a broadcast media numbers of programmes or items are

produced and broadcasted. To give those programmes or item
recognisable structure, broadcasters have developed certain
programme formats. There are 10 different formats of
broadcast programmes which can accommodate all radio and
television programmes or items.

Report:
Any subject reported by reporter(s) as an informative piece is
called report. The report is a very common programme format
in a radio. From a short news item of one paragraph for
reading in a news bulletin to a 20-30 minutes long story
prepared with many voices and sound effects, radio feature
and documentary all are different forms of 'report'. A report
can be a complete item in itself or a component of other
programmes.
Magazine:
The magazine is several items linked by presenters in a
package. It is usually designed with a specific audience in
mind, tight structure of content and set style of presentation.
The items in a radio magazine can be news, report,
commentary, interview, discussion, drama, song etc. Main
attraction of a magazine is its variety. 15-20 minutes duration
is considered to be ideal length for a radio magazine.

Interview:
In an interview a person (interviewee) is questioned by
another person (interviewer) with the objective of seeking
information or opinion on some subject or issues. A radio
interview can be a complete programme or a component of
any other programme. Interview is also used as a tool to
collect information for news report.

Discussion:
In a discussion at least two speakers representing different
views participate with a moderator debating a topic. A radio
discussion show can have maximum four or five speakers,
with a proper balance of male and female voices. The
limitation is there as radio cannot show the faces of the
participants and listeners will have hard time to determine
who is speaking.
In a current affairs discussion role of the moderator is
generally performed by a journalist. Moderator coordinates
among the participants, questions them and keeps track of
time. To ensure the audience participation listeners questions
are also entertained in the discussion.

Testimony:
The testimony is a kind of broadcast programme or item in
which one person speaks straight to the audience from three-
four minutes to nine-ten minutes. Testimony is also known as
radio talk or commentary. In such talks generally persons with
name and fame speak about their experiences and
achievements. Commentaries by political analysts and
journalist are also one of the main attractions for testimony.

Montage:
A story told without presenter and linked by editing materials
is called montage. The programmes or items like report,
discussion, features and documentaries can be produced as
montage. Montage can be a complete programme or item in
itself or part of a programme or item.

Actuality:
Unedited or uncut live events are called actuality. This format
is mostly practiced in the live broadcast of an event. Apart
from this, the recorded programmes also can have one or
many actuality inser
Drama:
Drama is telling story by actors playing characters. In a drama
audience need to know that it is unreal, though the subject
matter of a drama can be very close to a real situation. A
sensible use of acting, dialogues, sound effects and music can
make a drama very powerful means of expression. Apart from
information and messages drama has a story that radio
listeners may like as something happened around them.

Game:
The game is also a broadcast programme format where
persons play different games under certain rules and norms.
Games are competition programmes with gain and loss, like
quiz contests, debates, music playing and singing competition.

Animation:
Animation is a story told with models and drawings. Though
animation is a format mostly appropriate on television, radio
also uses animated voice of people representing different
animals, birds, trees etc. The radio drama serial aired by
Radio SagarmathaRukhBajeraSugaNati was a typical example
of radio animation.