ABSTRACT
Of all programme types, it is the regular sequences and magazines that can so easily become boring or trivial by degenerating into a ragbag of items loosely strung together. To define the terms, a sequence or strip programme is the lengthy slot – generally between two and four hours – often daily, such as the morning show or drive-time, etc., using music with a wide audience appeal, and with an emphasis on the presentation. Whereas a magazine is usually designed with a specific audience in mind and tightly structured, with the emphasis on content. For both, the major problem for the producer is how best to balance the need for consistency with that of variety. Clearly there has to be a recognizable structure to the programme – after all, this is probably why the listener switched on in the first place – but there must also be fresh ideas and newness.
