Radio Show Content | Audio Breaks

KSLX, Phoenix Hitler’s Phone

March 5, 2017

Destinations and payoffs. That’s a requirement for listeners in this A.D.D. world of “want it now, want it fast”. Watch reality shows on TV and see how quickly they move along the storyline, always in search of conflict and tension in each scene, and some take-away that will engage the viewers. Many shows choose their topics, then spend their allotted mic time talking around it, in search of some exit ramp to move on to the next thing in their clock. Mark and NeaderPaul, KSLX, Phoenix found interesting content when they learned that Hitler’s phone had been sold at auction. Instead of just spending their time gabbing about it, they imagined what outgoing messages from Hitler might sound like. The goal is to establish the content quickly to hook the audience then get to the funny fast, which is what they did in this break, satiating the audience, respecting their time, and setting up another occasion because they affirmed images of being humorous.

John and Tammy, KSON, San Diego He Owns an Oscar

February 26, 2017

kson_johntammy_500x350 Have you ever wondered what it’s like to own an Academy Award? Is it heavy? Does everyone want to hold and touch it? Are there rules and regulations from the Academy to ownership? The answer to all three is yes. John and Tammy, KSON, San Diego were curious about all these questions (curiosity is so critical to be a successful radio personality) and then they found out that Chris Turner, the longtime (and excellent) promotions director at the radio station, has an Oscar, and not for the reason you’d think. So they put him on to tell his story and get answers to all the questions they wondered about. Bringing people inside a topic, from any angle, is always good radio if it leads to a fascinating story with humor. This is a timely and topical break given we’re in the season for awards shows, specifically the Oscars.

B105, Cincinnati Not As Naughty Question of the Day

February 19, 2017

Every show does trivia in some form or another. Any great game show on TV (past or present) uses trivia as a foundation to entertain. It’s how you do the trivia that engages the audience. The manner in which it’s framed and presented is what resonates (which is why Jeopardy is different from NBC’s The Wall). The Big Dave Show, B105, Cincinnati, has a daily feature called Chelsie’s “Not As Naughty As It Sounds” trivia question. It’s the pro forma “this percentage of people do this” question yet the frame makes you think it’s dirty (it’s not). Then the cast takes a guess to remove two very obvious answers before they take calls. Go do trivia – it’s quite engaging and forces the audience to get vicarious to the show. But spend more time on how you do it so it cuts through.

WKIS, Miami, Kid Theater

February 12, 2017

There is never a time you air cute kids that you don’t win. Especially with women/moms. On the Fish, U-Turn, and TC Morning Show, WKIS, Miami, we’re looking for new benchmarks that help define cast members. This is a Stage One show and its cast is somewhat undefined to the audience. So creating features which help that are very strategic. U-Turn’s young daughter is terribly gregarious. Once a week, she gives the name of a very well-known movie or two to Charley and asks her what she thinks the movie is all about, based on the name. Listener to the humor and the production value of this feature and you can hear why it sparkles and works for those listening.

106.5, The Arch St. Louis Don’t Say Yes

February 5, 2017

One of the big news/pop culture stories in the last week was the scam telemarketers are doing trying to get people they call to say the word “yes” so that that response can be used to answer other questions (like if you want to sign up for a new service). Very topical. The best content can sometimes be the things which are perishable. This was and near every show discussed it or did something with it. Spencer’s Neighborhood, 106.5 The Arch, St. Louis did something a bit more creative. The Arch is a brand built on a quirky, slightly off-center perspective. We have a morning show that perfectly fits that image. Here’s what they did with it – a tongue-in-cheek “phone call” with someone trying to get the team to say the word “yes” in humorous ways, with none of them successful. This break, because of its interesting execution and fun was way more sticky than just chatting about the topic.

Kick-Ass Audio Breaks

KSLX, Phoenix Hitler’s Phone

John and Tammy, KSON, San Diego He Owns an Oscar

B105, Cincinnati Not As Naughty Question of the Day

WKIS, Miami, Kid Theater

106.5, The Arch St. Louis Don’t Say Yes

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