Glossary of Radio Terms – Don Sainte‑Johnn

GLOSSARY OF RADIO TERMS

Understanding the Language of Broadcasting
Compiled by Don Sainte‑Johnn

A

AC (Adult Contemporary)

A radio format that plays popular music aimed at adult audiences, typically featuring softer pop, ballads, and light rock.

Example: "After KFRC's Top 40 era ended, the station experimented with a Hot AC format called The Amazing AM."

Aircheck

A recording of a radio broadcast, often used by DJs to showcase their skills for potential employers or for self-evaluation.

Example: "Spears mentioned that he and Drew had tuned in to one of my old WJPC airchecks."

Air Personality (Jock, DJ)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

AM (Amplitude Modulation)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

AQH (Average Quarter‑Hour)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Ascertainment

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

B

Bat Phone

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Beat

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Big Band

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Board Operator

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Boss Radio

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Break

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Bubblegum Music

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

C

Call Letters

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Cans

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Clio Award

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Console

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Control Room

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Crossover

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

D

Dead Air

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Drop‑In

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Dry Run

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

E

EAS (Emergency Alert System)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

EBS (Emergency Broadcast System)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

ENG (Electronic News Gathering)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Epigraph

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

F

FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Fishbowl Window

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Flip (Format Flip)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

FM (Frequency Modulation)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

FOB (Frequency Operation Button)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Format

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

G

Game Zone

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

GM (General Manager)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Good Guy

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

H

HOF (Hall of Fame)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Hot AC

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Hotline

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

I

Imaging

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Insert

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

J

Jock

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Jock‑in‑the‑Box

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

K

Key to the City

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

L

Liner

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Liner Card

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

M

Marconi Award

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Mobile Studio

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

MOR (Middle of the Road)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

N

NAB

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Nostalgia Rock

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

O

Oldies

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

P

PD (Program Director)

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Positioning Statement

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Promo

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

PSA

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

R

R&B

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

RCS Selector

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Remote Broadcast

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Rhythmic CHR

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Rock & Roldies

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

S

Sweeper

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Syndication

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

T

Tomcat

T

Tomcat

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Top 40

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Trafologist

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

U

Urban AC

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

V

Vanity Version

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

W

Watt

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Wire Service

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Z

Zinger

[Paste definition here]

[Paste example here]

Quick Reference: Common Acronyms

Acronym	Full Term
AC	Adult Contemporary
AQH	Average Quarter-Hour
CHR	Contemporary Hit Radio
EAS	Emergency Alert System
EBS	Emergency Broadcast System
ENG	Electronic News Gathering
FCC	Federal Communications Commission
FM	Frequency Modulation
GM	General Manager
HOF	Hall of Fame
MOR	Middle of the Road
NAB	National Association of Broadcasters
PD	Program Director
PSA	Public Service Announcement
R&B	Rhythm and Blues
SFX	Sound Effects
Top 40	Most Popular Songs