We hear it often that people these days have no time or patience for anything. The jet-age as it is sometimes referred to, has left people with little or no endurance levels, especially in a City like ours. 

  In fact, a recent survey by a radio channel showed that most people in this City don’t have attention spans beyond 20 minutes. Taking this into account, Radio One has come out with a new 20/20 format.

Explaining the new format Shyju Varkey, Station Head, Radio One, says, “Normally, radio programming is done by the hour. However, with our new format we are making 20-minute modules that will include music, a bit by the RJ, a comedy section and much more. The reason why we came up with this is most importantly to be able to enable listeners to identify our channel when they tune in. With so many channels these days that have the one hour programming model, it is not possible for listeners to make out the difference between various channels.”

But is 20 minute cycles enough to be able to play music? “We realised that with the new format, we actually end up playing more music. The break-up is such that we play about three songs, the RJ speaks for a little over a minute, there is about one and a half minutes slotted for a comedy segment or a contest and with two and a half minutes for ads we are still under 20 minutes,” explains Anil Machado, Director - Programming, Radio One.
The short formats may sound great to listeners but is it easy for the RJs? Says RJ Anjaan, “Since we run a tight schedule now, there is no time for faltering in our speech.

“ It is hectic and we have found it more difficult but it has been a great challenge as well.”

And what is the response like? Says Anjaan, “We have had more calls than ever before because now we concentrate more on listener interaction. So the new format is working well.”

With the listener preferences changing every day, it seems like the channels are going to be on their feet to come up with new innovations!

BVP