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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

LESSON 21

INTERACTIVE BROADCASTING

Interactive means getting a reaction of an action. In the terminology of broadcasting it refers to

asking something from a broadcaster/guest speaker and getting a quick reply.

A new concept in broadcasting in recent years has been introduced which involves the

listeners at real-time transmission or in the canned programs. The recent technological

developments are surely suggesting that next phase of broadcasting is at its threshold. It is

little difficult to what shape modern communication would settle to, one thing is, however,

evident that broadcasting, as we know it today, would be soon a story of the past.

On the other hand all the radio programs where interactivity is being introduced are getting

popular among the listeners. The FM stations, though their area of transmission is limited, are

doing a good deal of growth in the radio listening mainly because much of their transmission is

based on programs which have very lively interactivity with the listeners. Seeing the

phenomenal rise in the listening of FM programs, other radio stations are also trying to catch

the bus. The old fashioned programs based on boring, and rather one-sided discussions are

no more in demand and are being fast replaced by the programs in which ordinary people are

also finding their say does not matter if it belongs to entertainment programs.

Here we will see what new changes have been already introduced in the broadcasting world

and which are in experimental stage and bound to change broadcasting scenario drastically.

On-line

Mostly the wind of changes is blowing rather strongly in the arena of digital technology. The

arrival of computer in our daily life both at home and working places is changing our radio-

listening habits. Now you need not to have a separate hardware to carry to listen to programs

of your interest. Get on-line, find the desired webpage and click on the point of your interest.

Enjoy listening to radio and at the same time; continue working on the same computer your

routine work. One can attach the computer with additional speakers or just be content with the

earphone. Most web sites which have a broadcasting station on their pages also give you the

facility of recording a particular program on the hard disc which you may listen to at your free

time. It does not cost you any thing extra. In an other way, some important pieces of

broadcast, like the news or interviews, are also placed on the web pages in the recorded form.

A listener may reach these pages later in the day and can still enjoy listening to the programs

of his/her choice.

E-mails

You want to say something to the broadcasting house. It will not take you days, as was the

case few years back, but send an e-mail which is possible even during a program. Suggest

them what you want to hear, or point out if a correction is required in something aired by the

radio station. This practice is getting very common among the listeners and the radio stations

are finding e-mails in high number on the addresses meant for different programs. As far the

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Introduction to Broadcasting MCM 411

radio stations are concerned, they can pick only a couple of mails during a program for the

time meant for a broadcast is always limited and at the same time it takes long to go through

the mails when the program is having a status of on-air. Writing an e-mail to get your point of

view heard is a skill always write to the point, brief and in very appropriate words. You stand

more chances of being picked than those who start a letter in a very formal way.

Interview

An interview is going on with a politician, city mayor, VC or principal of a university/college,

business tycoon or a celebrity, questions/ answers prompt you to ask a question. Don't worry.

Set your question and ask telephonically or by e-mail. At times radio stations encourage

interactivity with listeners and direct questions they receive from listeners straightaway to their

guest. These days interviewees are also prepared to face questions from general public as

they sit in a studio of a radio station.

Views in News

It is not a very old practice. With the advancement in other areas of programs, an interactive

newsreel is very much in vogue. There was a time when views or comments about a piece of

information were obtained after the news bulletin. This mode has been changed now. To

make a newsreel more interactive these days, a newscaster would turn to the person, a

politician, a business tycoon or an expert, to talk in real time to get his/her views before

reading the next news item on the script. This has given a new dimension to news casting.

Internet Radio

Very drastic change is on its way in distance-listening which is likely to shake up the whole

present day structure and nature of broadcasting; the internet radio stations. There are

already many, though their penetration is not much but with the type of technologies available

in multimedia, this broadcasting style is likely to take the world by storm.

Pod-casting

Pod-casting should not sound strange if you are a Netizen. This is creating your own radio

station on the net with almost negligible cost on software and little arrangement on what you

intend to broadcast. And no license taxes or checks applicable so far. It seems a fun at

present, tomorrow it will involve a commercial interest and by any business yardstick, will be a

formal way of broadcasting.

At present you only need to posses ample knowledge of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) files

which is a format which helps in making programs which you could allow your subscribers/

friends to access on your website. An added knowledge on MP3 format will be a great help

also. These two types of audio files do the whole business for you to run a broadcasting

facility on the Net.