Music Program Review Criteria

 

SECTION A: Legal Broadcast Requirements

  1. The FCC requires that one legal station ID be made at the top of every hour, plus or minus five minutes, and that a translator ID be made at specified times (8:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 6:00 PM). Did the programmer make legal IDs?

 

  1. FCC regulations require compliance with the Emergency Alert System Procedure: the emergency alert test must be transmitted and then entered into the program log. Did the programmer properly implement and log the Emergency Alert System Test?

 

  1. A) If the station went off the air during programmers shift, did programmer note the time and reason for going off the air in the Program Log? If going off air was planned, did programmer read official Sign Off and log it?

 

3B) If the station went back on the air after having been off air, did programmer read official Sign On and log it?

SECTION B: Official Station Policy

1A. KGNU is legally committed to a non-commercial broadcast policy. Did the programmer observe KGNU's non-commercial broadcast policy?

 

1B. KGNU is legally committed to a non-commercial broadcast policy including not using Call-To-Actions. Did the programmer observe the Call-To-Action policy?

 

  1. Station policy requires programmers to begin and end programs on time. Was the programmer punctual in beginning and ending their program?

 

  1. Programmers are required to read at least one Public Service Announcement during each hour of broadcast time. They should also make occasional use of pre-recorded station promos. Did the programmer incorporate the minimum number of Public Service Announcements and make adequate use of pre-recorded KGNU promos during her or his program?

 

  1. Programmers are expected to make informative and smooth segues between their own program and the programs that come before and after theirs. They should refer at a minimum to the names and schedules of preceding and succeeding programs. Did the programmer make Informative and smooth segues between preceding succeeding programs?

 

  1. Programmers should promote KGNU during their on-air discourse. They should identify KGNU by name during each break. They should briefly encourage listeners to become members of the station and thank those who are members. Did the programmer adequately promote KGNU and membership in the station?

 

  1. KGNU programmers are expected to follow KGNU's Election Year Restrictions, not endorsing nor opposing candidates or ballot issues on-air. Did the programmer follow the Election Year Restrictions?

 

  1. Programmers are required to create an online playlist through Comrad, to be shared on AfterFM. Did the DJ share their playlist?

 

  1. Programmers are required to follow the program log within the Comrad playlist creator, including playing any Public Service Announcements, Underwriting Spots, Ticket Giveaways, and more. Did the DJ follow the program log?

 

  1. Did the programmer follow, fill out, and sign the Program Log during their program? 

SECTION C: Technical Skill

  1. Consistent broadcast levels should be maintained throughout a program so listeners do not have to keep readjusting the volume of their receivers. How well did the programmer establish and maintain consistent broadcast levels?

 

  1. While on the air, programmers are expected to effectively operate all technical equipment such as the board, microphones, audio computer, turntables, CD player and on-air phone system. How well did the programmer operate technical equipment during her or his program? 

 

  1. Programmers should practice acceptable microphone techniques while on the air (e.g., speaking on microphone, avoiding popping Ps, avoiding dead air, refraining from rustling paper and clicking switches, etc.). How effective were the programmer's microphone techniques?

 

  1. Programmers should work toward clear and concise on-air discourse. What they say on the air should be reflected upon before hand and not rambling and aimless. It should be free of filler such as “uh”, "well," "ah," and "you know." It should avoid esoteric references, inside jokes, and any other comments that would be unclear to an average listener. How well did the programmer communicate clearly and concisely with his or her audience?

 

  1. Music Programmers should make technically adequate segues between tracks. These segues should be free of dead air and avoid any significant changes in broadcast levels. How adequate were the programmer's technical segues between music tracks?

SECTION D: Program Content

  1. The content of every KGNU program is expected to conform to the station's official written description of it. How closely did the program conform to its description?

 

  1. Any programmer conducting an interview is expected to identify the person(s) being interviewed and the subject of the interview at the beginning and conclusion of the program, as well as several times during the course of the interview. How well did the programmer meet these expectations?

 

  1. Programmers who conduct interviews should maintain control of the interview. How well did the programmer control the interview?

 

  1. Programmers who conduct interviews should avoid assuming prior knowledge of the subject matter by listeners. This means avoiding esoteric references, in-jokes, and overly personal anecdotes during the interview. How well did the programmer accomplish this goal?

 

  1. Music programmers are expected to provide listeners with "adequate" and "timely" information about the music and performers they feature. At a minimum they should mention the name of the artist, performance, and album. How well did the programmer meet these expectations? 

 

  1. Music Programmers should work toward establishing an acceptable ratio of talk to music during their programs. A rough rule of thumb is that music should be programmed in a 6 to 1 ratio to talk; for example, during a 21 minute period 18 minutes should be devoted to music and 3 minutes to talk. How adequate was the programmer's ratio of music to talk?

 

  1. How well did the host create a show that exemplifies the KGNU Mission Statement?