ADAT – Audio Digital Tape, used in digital systems. spectrum or the electromagnetic spectrum.

Airwave signals travel

through the air, unlike the signals transmitted by telephone or
Actives – Radio listeners who actively contact radio stations for
cable wires. Almost every American household has a television
requests or contests. Passive listeners, however, are those people
that receives free programming, which is sent over the airwaves
who do not generally interact with the radio stations.
by local TV or radio stations.
Actuality – A term historically used in broadcasting that is now
A.M. – The amplitude modulation, A.M. broadcasting signals,
referred to as a sound byte.
considered the standard radio band; meaning the amplitude of a
Ad-libbing – Words, music, or actions uttered, performed, or carrier wave which is varied according to certain characteristics of
carried out extemporaneously in one’s own words, without a give a modulating signal.
script.
Amplifier – The ability to amplify or make sound louder or softer
Advertising agency – A service business that helps create, plan through an electronic devise that is adjustable.
and place advertising, or ads, and promotions for radio and TV as
Analog – A type of waveform signal with characteristics that are
well as print advertising. Agencies often handle overall branding
continuous as opposed to pulsed, containing data or information
and marketing.
such as voice, data or image. Analog was standard broadcasting or
Aircheck – Copy of a broadcast that is recorded on magnetic tape the way old record players worked before the onset of CD’s. It is
or digitally. the storage or transmission of information by a variable physical

Air shift – The length of time that a DJ works on the air at any means, such as a shift in voltage sent through the electromagnetic

given time. Average air shifts are four hours but could be up to six spectrum or the vibrations of against patterns inside the grooves

hours long. of a vinyl disc, to create physical (analogous) patterns of pictures

or sounds. Analog signals have unpredictable height, or
Airwaves – The medium through which radio or television
amplitude, and width, frequency, and can vary infinitely over a
signals are transmitted. Airwaves are also known by the terms
given range.
Announcer – An on-air talent personality who is the person with Automated radio – Radios that can be automated or controlled
the job to read scripts or announcements on radio or television. by electronic devices requiring very little human intervention.
(Sick jockey, news anchor, sports announcer, etc.) (NO DJs, pre recorded)

Arbitron (ARB) – A company providing an industry accepted Backsell – A term for a technique used by DJs where the deejay
standard for audience measurement of radio programming. announces the title or the artist of the song he just played.
Arbitron also refers to the company’s Arbitron radio market
Backtiming – Calculating the intro time on a song before its
survey and report that is published four times per year.
vocal begins and starting the audio source or CD along with that
Audio production – Recording of sound and reproduction is the song so when the preceding audio ends, the vocal on the song that
mechanical or electrical inscription and re-creation of sound has been back timed begins right at the end of the previous audio.
waves, typically used for the voice or for music. The two basic
Bed – Refers to a production element, such as instrumental music
classes of sound recording include analog and digital recording.
and/or a continuous sound effect such as the ocean or wind, used
Audio consoles – Mixing consoles or a digital mixing console or as a background element for a promotional announcement.
audio mixer, also called a sound board or soundboard, is an (background music)
electronic device for combining, or mixing, routing, and changing
Billboard – The opening of a radio or TV show; a brief
the level, timbre the dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix
announcement identifying a sponsor at the beginning or the end of
analog or digital signals depending on the type of mixer.
another programming element such as the news or traffic.
Audition tape formats – A recorded program or a radio show, (opening billboard (intro), closing billboard (extro))
news, sports, commercials, etc. to show and have heard for
Board – The console that is used for controlling the audio mix
employment. (announcers looking for work)
and output during a live broadcast or studio recorded sources.
(console)
Broadcast – A presentation of a recorded or live program on the affiliate station inserts local commercials, it often plays music
radio or TV, commercial or otherwise. during the transition to avoid dead air or empty pauses.

Broadcasting – The transmission of electromagnetic signals Engineer – the technician responsible for maintaining and fixing
through the airwaves over a wide area, as in television or radio is the radio station’s equipment such as consoles, microphones and
known as broadcasting. These signals may also be transmitted transmitters.
point-to-point, as in microwave transmission, and are referred to
Emergency Broadcast System – was an emergency warning
as narrowcasting. A broadcast may also be synonymous with a TV
system in the United States, used from 1963 to 1997, when it was
or radio program. Broadcasting is also referred to as the radio and
replaced by the Emergency Alert System.
television broadcast industry. Typically, broadcasters work in the
industry. To broadcast is to participate in a radio or television Edit – To delete or add on a recording, tape or video.

(TV) program. Feedback – An annoying sound caused by amplifying the speaker

Broadcast journalism – Encompassing radio, television and to the microphone.

online forms of media, broadcast journalism is a discipline of FILSCAP –The Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and
writing news-oriented journalism. Broadcast journalism refers to Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP), is a non-stock, non-profit association
television news and radio news, as well as online news outlets. of composers, lyric-writers and music publishers established in

Bumper – An audio segment that is prerecorded, typically 1965 to administer the public performance, mechanical

consisting of voice over music, that acts as a transition to or from reproduction and synchronization rights granted by law to creators

a stop set of commercials or other content. and owners of original musical works.

Bumper music – Music clips that are used to transition between FM – A method of impressing data onto an alternating-current

one programming element into another such as when a local (AC) wave by varying the instantaneous frequency of the wave.
FM Blanketing – A form of interference to the reception of other Gain – A term for volume.
broadcast stations, caused by the presence of an FM broadcast
Headphones – Headsets or earphones used to hear whatever you
signal of 115 dB (562 mV/m) or greater signal strength in the area
are recording, or broadcasting, at each given moment.
adjacent to the antenna of the transmitting station.
Hit the post – Deejays often use this term to describe talking up
Format – The program element; example: A.O.R. M.O.R.
to the point when the lyrics begin without stepping on the
Country Western, Jazz, Rock, etc. (program flow)
beginning of the vocals. It also refers to talking up to the point
Format Clock – A circular diagram like a clock, divided up like a where the instrumental of a song begins or ramps up.
pie, where each piece represents both a radio programming
High Definition Radio or HD Radio – This is when technology
element and its length in a typical hour. This includes songs,
transmits digital audio and data alongside existing AM and FM
commercials, talk time, etc. Directors often use a format clock to
analog signals. Liquity, the developer of this technology, says HD
create the hour-to-hour flow of radio station’s programming.
Radio offers FM Multicasting, or the ability to broadcast multiple
Freelance – An individual who is self-employed and not program streams over a single FM frequency, with static-free,
employed by a station. crystal-clear reception and a variety of data services including
text-based information.
Frequency – Technically this is an electromagnetic wave
frequency between audio and infrared. When used in a I.D. – A station’s legal identification, usually given at the top of
programming context, it means the number of times the target the hour.
audience will be exposed to a message.
Interference – Static caused from another radio or TV station due
Front sell – The introduction of a song that has just started to to being broadcast over the same band.
play, or the on-air personality stating the name of the radio station
Imaging – The type of promos (Fifties Rock) or how one
as the very first thing said. For example, the announcer may front
positions a radio station within the marketplace which defines the
sell the call letters, and then introduce the next song.
station so that the listener knows what he/she will get when they Narrator – The individual who announces during the course of a
tune in. (branding) broadcast program.

KBP - The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) is a On demand audio – The act of streaming or turning audio into
non-government, non-profit organization of the broadcast media digital data and transmitting it over the Internet.
in the Philippines. Its aims include the promotion of an
Open mike – A mike which is live, on at the given moment.
independent and free broadcast media, responsible broadcasting,
enhanced public service by broadcasters, advancement of Obscene language – A term that is most often used in a legal

innovation in broadcasting, and the development of Philippine context to describe expressions (words, images, actions) that

broadcasting. offend the prevalent sexual morality of the time. It can simply be
used to mean profanity, or it can mean anything taboo, indecent,
Level – The volume level that controls the broadcast.
abhorrent, or disgusting. (Latin: obscenus, meaning “foul,
Liner – A written phrase that stand by themselves and are meant repulsive, detestable.)
to communicate concise imaging. Typically, a DJ says a “liner”
over an intro of a record or during a commercial break between Payola – The Payola Scandal came to a head in the 1960s when
songs and spots. DJ Alan Freed, the man who coined the term, Rock and Roll and

Log – The written record of what transpires at the radio station, eight other DJs were accused of taking money in exchange for
record airplay. Today, technically, it is legal to accept money for
including: music, commercial content and transmitting
specifications. A music log is a list of the songs played for the day, playing a record on the radio as long as the DJ or station publicly

a commercial log shows which commercials were played and discloses it.

when and an engineering log show the status of a transmitter’s P.D. – Abbreviation fro Program Director; the individual who
specifications during the course of a day. controls the radio or TV station’s format or programs that are
broadcast. (PROGRAM FLOW) (***add music director, in automatically downloaded and delivered to a personal audio
charge of the music) device, such as an iPod.

Phone interface – An electronic device allowing on-air PJ – A slang term that means a Pod-Jockey or a PJ for a Podcaster
performers easy access to telephone lines. It allows the audio one who hosts a podcast containing music.
signal from a microphone to be heard by a caller and takes the
Primary coverage – The area where the reception of a broadcast
caller’s audio and directs it into a radio studio console or
is at its best; an excellent locality and area. Often times
recording device.
considered grade A in broadcast.
Pitch – The actual tone or sound of one’s voice.
Producer – The person at a radio station who conducts the day-
Player – A software application that can receive audio streams to-day business for a radio show, from lining up guests to acting
over the Internet and convert the digital data back into sound. For as a liaison between management and talent.
example music, talk, etc.
Production Director – The person at a radio station responsible
Playlist – The official list of songs that a radio station plays for overseeing the creation and implementation of commercial
during any given day or week. Playlists are important since they content, promotional announcements and any other audio element
are submitted to trade newspapers and magazines and compiled to that must be created for broadcast. (responsible for the plugs,
reflect national airplay and trends. station IDs)

POT – An abbreviation for the word potentiometer, a round Production element – An audio element such as music, a sound
control which increases or decreases the volume sent to a channel effect, or an audio effect, including a reverb or echo, used in
on a radio console or audio mixing board. creating a final audio mix such as a commercial, promotional
announcement, or even a humorous skit.
Podcast – An audio file in a concise form, like an .mp3, created in
the form of a radio show with a way to subscribe to it so it is
Programming – The output or product of a radio station that is importance, such as alcohol related campaigns like, “Friends
presented either in long form or short form styles. An example of Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.”
long form programming is when a station presents a topic in
Queue – a number of cuts or commercials that are waiting to be
extended length, such as public radio does. Short form played back in a specific, predetermined manner as in a station
break.
programming is when a station maintains a constant format, such
as a style of music where the programming includes smaller
R&B – Rhythm and Blues radio format.
modules strung together.
RDS – An abbreviation for Radio Data system, this technology
Program Director – The employee at a radio station who is
allows stations to transmit additional types of information via
responsible for the creation and maintenance of the audio output
encoded digital signals that can be received and displayed by the
of a radio station with the goal of attracting a listening audience
user’s radio. An RDS-capable radio can display the title and artist
from a target demographic.
or current song playing, local traffic information, an advertiser’s
Promo – An announcement, live or pre-recorded, promoting phone number while a commercial is playing.
upcoming events or the radio station’s image, promotes the results
Regional Network – A network of stations that covers only a
of a past event or promotes any other event which benefits a
certain region or area such as North, West, South or East areas.
station’s activities.
Reel-to-reel analog machines – Reel-to-reel, open reel tape
Promotions Director – the individual who is responsible for
recording is a form of magnetic tape audio recording in which the
creating, planning and carrying out the logistics of both sales and
recording medium is held on a reel.
programming oriented promotions.
Remote – This refers to a broadcast that originates live on
PSA – Another term for Public Service Announcement, a free
location, outside the station’s studio where the broadcast would
non-profit organization or business spot announcement. Known as
normally originate.
PSA’s, these are announcements providing advice on an issue of
R.P.M. – Revolutions per minute, used in recording.

Voiceovers – A production technique using a disembodied voice

as broadcast live or pre-recorded in radio, television, film, theater
or in a presentation; spoken by someone who also appears on-
screen in other segments, voiceovers can also be commonly
referred to as an off camera commentary.

Voice Track – A pre-recorded voice of a radio personality or DJ

that is recorded and stored in a computer to be played at a specific
time in a pre-programmed sequence such as at the beginning or
end of a song.

VU Meter – A device which measures, in units, the strength of an

audio signal (volume unit meter)

Wire services – News and press release distribution services.

Write in – Added to a script or to a commercial copy in addition

to the script.