Commercial radio is quite the same with TV. In the early morning, the show focuses on news and some current event talks. During daytime at night, the shows are about primetime, life and often, the latest songs from various famous artists. Some edgy shows are featured at night until the wee hours. It is considered off-peak.
For up-and-coming artists, they always choose the “right” radio station, show and time when it comes to premiering their new songs. It can make or break their single and album since there is often a target market or target audience.
Non-Commercial Specialty Shows
When you say “non-commercial,” it means that the show is not for profit and most probably advertisement-free. It can be likely that the person running the radio show is funding the show himself and it is his passion. There is also a significant possibility that the person managing the show has a patron paying for the airtime, without income.
Add the word “specialty,” it means that the show has a specific niche. For example, Texas State University’s 89.9 KTSW. The station is within the college, and it highlights music from different cities worldwide. Each week, they feature varying songs and artists.
Commercial Radio Morning Shows
Mommies are often the “audience” of commercial radio morning shows. I see them in their mini-vans and their teen kids with windows down and blasting tunes from Taylor Swift, Khalid or Queen Bey. Of course, moms have to learn of these new songs to fit in with their teens. The best way to do that listens to commercial radio morning shows.
They often play their “jam,” talk about their “news” or whatever their niche is during the early morning hours which is considered peak time for radio. And it’s not just the mommies doing the listening. Millions of Americans are tuned in since everyone is on their way to work and radio seems to be a great way to get entertained while driving.
And yes, it will be filled with ads because it’s a primetime and money-making for the show and the radio station, alike. Commercial radio morning shows are the station’s bread and butter.
Commercial Late Night Radio
The only thing similar to commercial radio morning show and commercial late night radio is the word “commercial.” It means that both shows run with advertisements and they need sponsors to “earn.” But they don’t have the same programming format since late night radio has less “listeners” than morning shows which is usually at peak.
In the morning, people just got up and wants to energize. They turn on their radio and listen to their favorite shows to get in the groove. Those who drive in the morning rush, taking their kids to school or trying to break the time at work, will most certainly tune in. Millions of people are listening.
As for late night shows, the audience will be a lot less. People are sleeping, or they don’t want to listen to talk shows and music. Driving people at night are also lesser than in the morning.
What’s nice about commercial late night radio shows? The DJ and everyone related to the late night radio show has more freedom to do their “thing.” They can play their jazz music, classical or the blues. Talk shows at night are also beyond the “norms.”
Regular Shows
Regular shows are shows that you categorize outside of specialty shows. These shows are also not the late night or morning spots. Some DJ’s love regular shows because they have more freedom to choose their “content,” so to speak, depending upon the station’s niche.
They can play whatever genre of music. For example, there is a regular show for Alternative Rock. After that, a show about love and family drama (usually after lunch). The plane is open and broad regarding music genre and talk show topics. In morning shows, only the new songs are featured, and the conversations must be exciting for everyone to listen to and eventually, to interactively cooperate.
There are many factors to take into consideration. Edgy music may be suitable for morning shows since teens are in the car with their parents. Morning shows are at a peak when it comes to listeners, but it is expensive especially the commercial stations. Money is needed for that to happen. It is also possible that your genre is not a fit for specialty shows or channels. You can go independent. Whatever your reason is, you can always find your way – commercial or non-commercial and specialty or regular.