Katelyn Broda
Introduction to Mass Communication 102
Location Activity
95.9 KISS Radio Station
My group decided to visit a local radio station, 95.9 KISS FM, www.959kissfm.com/ for one of the location activities. During my visit I was able to learn and see many interesting elements of a radio station. I thought this location activity to be my favorite because I plan to work in electronic media after graduation.
I was not only able to see where the 95.9 KISS FM program is produced by I was also able to see the entire Woodward Communications building that contains several radio stations such as 94.7 Razor, 1570 the Score, 105.7 WAPL, 104.3 The Breeze, and WHBY 1150 News/Talk which each targets a specific demographic by using a mix of talk show personalities and music. My tour was given by Scott Stevens, who is a DJ for a variety of the Woodward Communications’ stations. I was able to see all of the radio station booths where many monitors manage the music and radio shows that were being heard by the listening audience. Many of these booths didn’t even have people in them but were radio program was being aired by a computer system that had prerecorded voiceovers and music selections arranged to continuously play without any assistance.
It was interesting to discover that many radio personalities produce shows on a variety of the Woodward radio shows instead of just a specific one. I was able to meet several radio personalities such as Andy Gardiner, Brian Davis and Kathy Keene to name a few. These individuals also provide the voiceovers for commercials that air throughout the programming. This helps keep the cost down to hire additional radio personalities and advertisers. The money that is saved in this area helps the marketing department which makes up a majority of the Woodward Communications’ employees. These individuals work with businesses who buy air time in forms of commercials to promote their products to the radio station’s listening audience. Businesses who buy commercial time, creates the revenue that allows radio stations to remain in business.
I was not only able to see where the 95.9 KISS FM program is produced by I was also able to see the entire Woodward Communications building that contains several radio stations such as 94.7 Razor, 1570 the Score, 105.7 WAPL, 104.3 The Breeze, and WHBY 1150 News/Talk which each targets a specific demographic by using a mix of talk show personalities and music. My tour was given by Scott Stevens, who is a DJ for a variety of the Woodward Communications’ stations. I was able to see all of the radio station booths where many monitors manage the music and radio shows that were being heard by the listening audience. Many of these booths didn’t even have people in them but were radio program was being aired by a computer system that had prerecorded voiceovers and music selections arranged to continuously play without any assistance.
It was interesting to discover that many radio personalities produce shows on a variety of the Woodward radio shows instead of just a specific one. I was able to meet several radio personalities such as Andy Gardiner, Brian Davis and Kathy Keene to name a few. These individuals also provide the voiceovers for commercials that air throughout the programming. This helps keep the cost down to hire additional radio personalities and advertisers. The money that is saved in this area helps the marketing department which makes up a majority of the Woodward Communications’ employees. These individuals work with businesses who buy air time in forms of commercials to promote their products to the radio station’s listening audience. Businesses who buy commercial time, creates the revenue that allows radio stations to remain in business.
Scott Stevens showed me all of the areas of the Woodward Communications’ office, including the power room that is packed with wires and computers that keep the radio stations on air and running. The room is air conditioned to prevent the equipment from overheating because it is never turned off. The radio station’s technicians take care of this area of electronics for the company.
Radio has come a long way from its beginning. Today, radio stations are listened to for music mostly. In the past, radios were used to get entertainment and news information because it was one of the only forms of communication for many people. Today, individuals have many sources to obtain these elements so radio had restructured itself to appeal to listeners.
Overall, I thought the Woodward Communications radio station tour was very beneficial towards the understanding of how important and effective mass communication and technology is when they are paired together to achieve a common goal. This goal in the radio world is to increase their listening audience by having the most up-to-date music with the clearest sound for their listeners to enjoy.
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