AC or Adult Contemporary – A radio program format known as Adult Contemporary music, featuring rock and roll and pop music.

Adjacencies – Programs following or preceding a certain time period; commercials that are purchased to be specifically aired immediately before or immediately after a feature or program such as a sportscast or news program.

Ad-libbing – Words, music, or actions uttered, performed, or carried out extemporaneously in one’s own words, without a live script.

Aircheck – Copy of a broadcast that is recorded and used for coaching and/or training , often with the Program Director.

Air shift – The length of time that a DJ works on the air at any given time. Usually 3-4 hours.

Airwaves – The medium through which radio or television signals are transmitted. Airwaves are also known by the terms spectrum or the electromagnetic spectrum. Airwave signals travel through the air, unlike the signals transmitted by telephone or cable wires.

Album Oriented Rock (AOR) – Also known as Adult-oriented rock, AOR was originally an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists. It popularized the repertoire of music that is currently associated with classic rock.

A.M. – The amplitude modulation, A.M. broadcasting signals, considered the standard radio band; meaning the amplitude of a carrier wave which is varied according to certain characteristics of a modulating signal.

Announcer – An on-air talent personality who is the person with the job to read scripts or announcements on radio. (Also disc jockey, jock, news anchor, sports announcer, on-air personality, etc.)

ASCAP – The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, a songwriter performance rights organization.

Audio production – Recording of sound and reproduction is the mechanical or electrical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, typically used for the voice or for music. The two basic classes of sound recording include analog and digital recording.

Audio consoles – Most commonly referred to as a “board.” See:

Automatation – Radio automation incorporates the use of broadcast programming technology to automate broadcasting operations (music, commercials, announcers, etc.).

Backsell – A term for a technique used by DJs where they announce the title and/or the artist of the song just played.

Bed (Music Bed) – Refers to a production element, such as instrumental music and/or a continuous sound effect such as the ocean or wind, used as a background element for a recorded or live piece of audio.

Billboard – The opening of a radio or TV show; a brief announcement identifying a sponsor at the beginning or the end of another programming element such as the news or traffic.

BMI – Broadcast Music Incorporated, a songwriter performance rights organization.

Board – The console that is used for controlling the audio mix and output during a live broadcast or from recorded sources.

Board Op – the person physically operating a console in the radio studio who makes sure that a live program runs smoothly or that a recorded program airs properly.

Bottom of the hour - Term referring to :30 past the hour.

Break – A stop in the regular programming, which is filled in by a DJ segment or advertising.

Broadcast – A presentation of a recorded or live program on the radio or TV, commercial or otherwise.

Broadcasting – The transmission of electromagnetic signals through the airwaves over a wide area, as in television or radio is known as broadcasting. These signals may also be transmitted point-to-point, as in microwave transmission, and are referred to as narrowcasting. A broadcast may also be synonymous with a TV or radio program. Broadcasting is also referred to as the radio and television broadcast industry. Typically, broadcasters work in the industry. To broadcast is to participate in a radio or television (TV) program.

Broadcast journalism – Encompassing radio, television and online forms of media, broadcast journalism is a discipline of writing news-oriented journalism. Broadcast journalism refers to television news and radio news, as well as online news outlets.

Bumper – An audio segment that is prerecorded, typically consisting of voice over music, that acts as a transition to or from a stop set of commercials or other content.

Call letters – The I.D. or official legal name of a radio station, such as KISO-FM, or WEEI-AM.

Campaign ads – Commercials in a series that have the same theme.

Cans – A slang term for headphones.

CHR – Contemporary Hit Radio formatting, also known as Top 40 which frequently plays the top songs in popular music.

Color Commentator – The announcer who adds “color” to the play by play announcer doing a broadcast of a sporting event, often a former player of the sport who can provide unique insight. For example, on Monday Night Football, Joe Buck is the play by play announcer, Troy Aikman is the color commentator.

Commercials – Advertising messages for businesses, recorded or live. Lengths are usually 30 or 60 seconds.

Commercial copy – The written commercial message.

Console – a Board used for controlling the audio mix and output from a live studio broadcast or other recorded sources.

Copy – Content or written material for commercials, promotional or public service announcements, or any other worded information that will be read by a DJ.

Copywriter – Individual who scripts and writes radio and TV commercials.

Crossfade – The control board operator uses this technique — mixing sound between two sources by fading one down while at the same time raising the volume of the second source. As the second source becomes prominent, the first source is faded away entirely. This is often handled automatically with HSRP’s automation software.

Cue – A signal to begin and go on with talking, introducing records, etc.

Daypart – A portion of a radio station’s broadcast day, usually split into Morning: 6-10am, Midday: 10-2pm, Afternoon: 2-6pm, Evening: 6-12 Midnight, etc.

Dead air – Silence on the radio when there is no audible transmission that can be due to either operator error, computer error or an act of nature.

DeeJay (DJ) or Disc-Jockey – Radio personality, or disc-jockey – a “jock,” who plays songs on the radio, and provides information and other content to listeners.

Donut – A jingle that starts with singing, a related music bed in the middle where a commercial message is recorded, and singing again at the end.

Drive Time – Known as the time periods between 6-10am (Morning Drive) and 2-6pm (Afternoon Drive) when radio stations typically have their highest listenership due to the large volume of commuters driving to and from work, shopping, etc..

Drops – Short sound bites that have been lifted from movies, television programs or other sources to be used by DJs to accentuate programming. See your teacher or SBA contact for copyright guidance.

Engineer – the technician responsible for maintaining and fixing the radio station’s equipment such as consoles, microphones and transmitters.

EAS Test – An Emergency Alert System (EAS) test, is a real-time test of the system to insure the audio link between each station works properly. EAS is an electronic system which uses the radio infrastructure to alert the general public to emergency situations including weather, safety and homeland security. EAS is a critical service that radio and television broadcasters provide to the public.

Emergency Alert System – Is an emergency warning system in the United States, used since 1997, in which alerting authorities can warn listeners of weather, or safety emergencies through broadcast radio and television stations..

Edit – To delete, change, or add a recording.

Fade In – The audio level of a track gradually becomes louder until it reaches its proper level. Fade ins are commonly used for smoother transitions to segue into a new track or DJ segment.

Fade Out – The audio level of a track gradually becomes quieter until it disappears altogether. Fade outs are commonly used for smoother transitions to segue into a new track or DJ segment.

Fader – A sliding dial on a mixing desk to control the audio levels.

FCC – The Federal Communications Commission is the federal agency that is responsible for issuing licenses, and enforcing rules and regulations overseeing all radio and television signals.

Feedback – An annoying sound caused by amplifying the speaker to the microphone.

FM – Frequency modulation, a system for sending radio signals in which the number of radio waves per second is changed in order to send information in the form of sound.

Format – The programming content defined as a type. Examples: CHR, Classc Rock, Country , Jazz, News/Talk, etc.

Format Clock – A circular diagram like a clock, divided up like a pie, where each piece represents both a radio programming element and its length in a typical hour. This includes songs, commercials, talk time, etc. Program Directors often use a format clock to create the hour-to-hour flow of radio station’s programming.

Freeform radio – A specific radio show format approved by a station’s management in which the DJ of the station has complete freedom or control over program content and a tendency to play music that is not usually heard.

Freelance – An individual who is self-employed and not employed by a station.

Front sell – The introduction of a song that has just started to play, or the on-air personality stating the name of the radio station as the very first thing said. For example, the announcer may front sell the call letters, and then introduce the next song.

Headphones – Headsets or earphones used to hear whatever you are recording, or broadcasting, at each given moment.

Hit the post – Deejays often use this term to describe talking up to the point when the lyrics begin without stepping on the beginning of the vocals. It also refers to talking up to the point where the instrumental of a song begins or ramps up. While voice-tracking, this can be adjusted before going on the air.

High Definition Radio or HD Radio – This is when technology transmits digital audio and data alongside existing AM and FM analog signals. HD Radio offers FM Multicasting, or the ability to broadcast multiple program streams over a single FM frequency, with static-free, crystal-clear reception and a variety of data services including text-based information.

Hook – This is the part of a song that is unique in the listener’s ear, such as the portion of the song the listener usually likes and remembers the most.

ID – Legal announcement broadcast at the top of the hour identifying the radio station by its legal call letters and city of license, required by the FCC.

Inflection –The blending of the voice that carries us from one pitch to another.

Interference – Static caused from another radio or TV station due to being broadcast over the same band.

Imaging – The type of promos or how one positions a radio station within the marketplace which defines the station so that the listener knows what he/she will get when they tune in.

Jack – A jack is an audio connector on nearly every audio device. There are different types of jacks like mono, stereo, A-type, and B-type.

Jingle – A programming element such as an anthem or musical song produced by professional studio singers for commercials or radio station promotional announcements.

K – The first letter in the call sign for United States based radio broadcast stations located west of the Mississippi. W is used for stations east of the river and X for stations broadcasting from Mexico.

Level – The volume level that controls the broadcast.

Liner – A written phrase that stands by itself and is meant to communicate concise imaging. Typically, a DJ says a “liner” over an intro of a record or during a commercial break between songs and spots.

Major market – A large city radio or TV station. The top 20 cities in the U.S. (New York, Boston, Los Angeles, etc.)

Man on the street – A type of interview.

Medium market – A city in the country which is medium in size, maybe up to 500,000 people.

MIKE or MIC – Abbreviation for the microphone.

Microphone – The device that converts the announcer’s voice into into electrical energy.

Miscue – A situation when the audio element begins too soon so the end result is two audio sources playing at the same time.

Mixing – Used in sound recording, audio editing, and sound systems, mixing balances the relative volume, frequency, and dynamical content of a number of sound sources.

Moderator – The leader in a discussion of any group which is broadcast.

Monitor – To listen or view a program, with radio or TV. Also a speaker, as in a speaker used to monitor what is being broadcast or what is being cued up for subsequent play.

Multicasting – The practice by which stations split a single digital signal into multiple different regular channels. Radio stations multicast using HD Radio.

Music Director – The person at a radio station responsible for making decisions in conjunction with the program director, about which songs get airplay, how much and when. The music director devises rotations for songs and programs the daily music through specialized software (Music Master).

NAB – The National Association of Broadcasters, which is a national trade group for radio and television license holders.

NAL – A Notice of Apparent Liability and Order notice is issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) when it finds a station or radio company liable for a fine under legislated laws or agency regulations. The station or company issued the NAL is permitted 30 days either to pay the proposed fine or to respond in writing.

Narrator – The individual who announces during the course of a broadcast program.

Open mike – A mike which is live, on at the given moment.

Obscene language – A term that is most often used in a legal context to describe expressions (words, images, actions) that offend the prevalent sexual morality of the time. It can simply be used to mean profanity, or it can mean anything taboo, indecent, abhorrent, or disgusting. (Latin: obscenus, meaning “foul, repulsive, detestable.)

Don’t use obscene language.

Pitch – The actual tone or sound of one’s voice.

Playlist – The official list of songs that a radio station plays during any given day or week. Playlists are important since they are submitted to trade publications and compiled to reflect national airplay and trends.

Play-by-play announcing – The main sports announcer on a sports event broadcast. Responsible for describing the plays as they happen. Usually works with a color commentator who supplies descriptions, anecdotes and background information during pauses in play.

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 automatically downloaded and delivered to a personal audio device.

Prep/Show Prep – Research done before a show or break which adds information or color to what the DJ is saying. For example, an upcoming concert date for the next artist to be played.

Primary coverage – The geograhpic area where the reception of a broadcast is at its best; an excellent locality and area.

Producer – The person at a radio station who conducts the day-to-day business for a radio show, from lining up guests to acting as a liaison between management and talent.

Production Director – The person at a radio station responsible for overseeing the creation and implementation of commercial content, promotional announcements and any other audio element that must be created for broadcast.

Production Manager – The person who is in charge of producing the commercial announcements.

Production element – An audio element such as music, a sound effect, or an audio effect, including a reverb or echo, used in creating a final audio mix such as a commercial, promotional announcement, or even a humorous skit.

Programming – The output or product of a radio station that is presented either in long form or short form styles. An example of long form programming is when a station presents a topic in extended length, such as public radio does. Short form programming is when a station maintains a constant format, such as a style of music where the programming includes smaller modules strung together.

Program Director or PD – The employee at a radio station who is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the audio output of a radio station with the goal of attracting a listening audience from a target demographic.

Promo – An announcement, live or pre-recorded, promoting upcoming events or the radio station’s image, promotes the results of a past event or promotes any other event which benefits a station’s activities.

Promotions Director – the individual who is responsible for creating, planning and carrying out the logistics of both sales and programming oriented promotions.

Public Interest – Refers to a concept suggesting that in return for using the public airwaves, a broadcaster is obligated to act as a trustee of public property and do what is best for the public good. The “public” refers to the local community to which broadcasters are licensed to serve, while “interest” means to benefit the public, as distinct from programs the public is interested in. Public interest obligations are those specific actions broadcasters undertake in exchange for their license to repay the public for using the broadcast spectrum of public airwaves.

Public Service Announcements (PSA) – A PSA is an announcement message in the public interest disseminated by the media, usually without charge, to raise public awareness and change behavior. Examples of PSA topics can include health-related campaigns promoting flu shots, or raising awareness for the negative effects of smoking or vaping.

Queue – a number of cuts or commercials that are waiting to be played back in a specific, predetermined manner as in a station break.

RAB – Radio Advertising Bureau.

Radio – Telecommunication by modulation and radiation of electromagnetic waves.

Ramp – The instrumental beginning of a song leading up to the vocals, also known as the intro.

Ratings – An estimate of the size of an audience shown as a percent of a total group of people surveyed.

R&B – Rhythm and Blues radio format.

Regional Network – A network of stations that covers only a certain region or area.

Religious (R) Radio – A spiritual or religious radio format.

Remote – This refers to a broadcast that originates live on location, outside the station’s studio where the broadcast would normally originate.

Sales Manager – A radio station employee who is responsible for the department which sells radio commercials and other radio products.

SDARS or Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service – Sirius XM.

Segue (Pronounced seg-way) – moving from one musical selection to another without any announcing or interruption.

Shock jock – a radio personality who typically uses controversial and/or what could be considered obscene content by some, in order to attract more attention in the pursuit of higher ratings.

Sideline Reporter – Used to describe a sports reporter who roams the sidelines of sporting events. The sideline reporter often conducts interviews with coaches, players and fans during breaks in the action as well as providing injury updates.

Sign-on – The time of day in which a radio or TV station begins its broadcast day.

Sign-off – The time of day in which a radio or TV station ends its broadcast day.

Simulcast – The broadcast of the same or simultaneous show or telecast on different stations.

Small Market Station – A radio station located in a small city or town.

Sound byte – A snippet of audio usually culled from an interview and used in conjunction with a news story. Its length may vary anywhere from: 05 to :15 seconds.

Sound Effects (SFX) – Noises played during shows or in commercials and PSAs to add a layer of creativity, like ocean waves, thunder, or footsteps.

Spot – Another word for a radio commercial.

Sports Broadcasting – The broadcast, usually live, of a sporting event or occasion. Also used to describe the portion of a newscast devoted to sports news.

Sports/Talk – A radio format centered around sports where personalities analyze games, discuss current events (often argue). Sports can be local, regional, or national in scope.

Stager – a musical effect that establishes and holds; good for dramatic emphasis.

State Broadcasters Association - a state-level trade association tasked with protecting and promoting broadcatsers in each state. The Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Massachusetts Broadcasters Association are two such examples.

Station IDs – Legal announcement broadcast at the top of the hour identifying the radio station by its legal call letters and city of license, required by the FCC.

Station log – A journal listing every song and commercial played and the time they were played.

Stinger – A technique often used by radio DJs that is a sound or musical effect punctuating or emphasizing a thought.

Stop set – This refers to the place where commercials are played during a typical broadcast hour. There may be several scattered throughout a typical 60 minute period. HSRP has PSA stopsets at 35 and 50 past each hour.

Streaming – The act of turning audio into digital data and transmitting it over the Internet.

Stream jockey – What a DJ is called on satellite radio or a DJ on a webcast.

Syndicated – a radio program offered by a network or an independent organization that is for sale or on a barter basis to radio stations.

Sweeper – A recorded element, such as a voice, voice over music or sound effects, that bridges two songs together or creates a transition from commercials back to music.

TAG – A short addition which is added to a radio or TV commercial message.

Talk (News/Talk) radio format – A type of radio format with one or more personalities discussing local, state, national, or world events. Sometimes the stations interact with listeners on the phone. News/talk shows can be factual or opinion-based.

Tease – A brief phrase spoken immediately before playing a spot, songs, etc. to tell the listener about a story coming up later.

Top of the hour - Term referring to :00 past the hour.

Tower array – The physical configuration of several radio antenna towers. Some radio signals are confined and restricted in the pattern they may be broadcast, which is done to protect other radio broadcasts in other geographic areas that also use the same frequency.

Transmitter – The source or generator of any signal on a transmission medium.

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.

Vocal/Voice exercises – Exercises that help prepare the breath to support the voice.

Voice and speech training – Classes for speech and voice improvement for professional and public speaking, foreign accent reduction, and communication etiquette.

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

W – The first letter in the call sign for radio and television stations broadcasting east of the Mississippi River.

Weather Reporting – Broadcasts on radio about local daily weather, or for local and national weather service warnings and watches.

XLR - A three pin connector for audio equipment. An XLR cable is commonly used with microphones and other audio devices.

Zero – The number of radio terms we could find that begin with the letter Z.