This glossary of terms used in broadcasting is a list of definitions of terms and concepts related to both radio and television broadcasting, along with the industry in general.
A
ABC1. The American Broadcasting Company, a major television network in the United States. Also operates radio networks ABC News Radio and ABC Audio.2. The ABC Radio Network, a former radio network in the United States. Renamed Citadel Media in 2009, Cumulus Media Networks in 2011 and merged into Westwood One.3. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia's main public service broadcaster.4. Associated Broadcasting Corporation, a former name for Filipino media company TV5 Network and owners of television network TV5, formerly "ABC5".5. ABC, a former regional news program that aired over Sweden television broadcaster Sveriges Television.6. ABC Weekend TV, a former ITV franchise in Manchester, Birmingham and London.7. Asahi Broadcasting Corporation, (Japanese: 朝日放送株式会社), a Japanese television and radio broadcaster.8. Associated Broadcasting Company, a former name of Associated Television, a former ITV franchise.9. XEABC-AM in Mexico City, which formerly branded as "ABC Radio". ABS-CBNThe Alto Broadcasting System–Chronicle Broadcasting Network, a major television broadcaster in the Philippines. ACMAAustralian Communications and Media Authority: The regulator of broadcasting in Australia. A/DAnalog-to-digital conversion. absolute eventA scheduled event whose start time is determined with an assigned time based upon the facility master clock. access timeThe total time required to find, retrieve and commence using information, also known as lead time. activesListeners who contact the radio show regarding requests, contests or other interaction. ADCAnalog-to-digital converter: A device to convert analog signals to digital. ADIArea of dominant influence: The Arbitron equivalent to Designated Market Areas, produced from 1966 until Arbitron's exit from television ratings. aggregationThe 1980s–1990s process by which individual Australian regional television stations converted to competing in much larger broadcast areas consisting of multiple stations. See Regional television in Australia § Aggregation. AircheckThe recorded copy of a broadcast. AM stereoTwo different, and mutually incompatible, multiplexing transmission techniques that provide stereophonic sound on the mediumwave (AM) band. See independent sideband (ISB; initially standard in the U.S.) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM; standard in Canada, Australia and Japan and later the U.S.). AMDAM drive time: The morning rush hour slot. Amplitude modulationAlso AM radio or AM. Used interchangeably with kilohertz (kHz) and medium wave.A modulation technique used in electronic communication where the amplitude (signal strength) of the wave is varied in proportion to that of the message signal. Developed in the early 1900s, this technique is most commonly used for transmitting an audio signal via a radio wave measured in kilohertz (kHz). See AM broadcasting. Analog recordingRecording of audio using an electronic signal that varies continuously. The main drawback of analog recording is the introduction of inherent noise to the recorded signal. Analog transmissionThe broadcasting of a signal using an analog recording. Examples of use include radio. ANATEL1. The National Telecommunications Agency (Portuguese: Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações), regulator of broadcasting in Brazil.2. The National Television Association (Asociación Nacional de Televisión), group of national television broadcasters in Chile. Annoyance factorIrritating aspect of advertising that can strengthen or weaken messaging. Apex bandA grouping of radio stations in the United States in the late 1930s, all with experimental licenses, that were launched to evaluate potential additional frequencies for radio stations. Named "apex" for transmission antennas needing to be placed on very high locations for line-of-sight reception. A direct precursor to FM radio, several of these stations were converted to the FM band between 1941 and 1944. ArbitronThe company that provided the industry-accepted standard for radio audience measurement. Often abbreviated as ARB, a relic of its former name, American Research Bureau. Arbitron also rated television programming until 1993. Since acquired by Nielsen Media Research and now known as Nielsen Audio. Archive1. Storage of master material under controlled conditions2. Long term storage of material on an offline storage medium.3. Archive copy is a master copy intended solely for storage and not to be used in distribution. artifactNoticeable loss of video and/or audio fidelity in a broadcast or recording caused by limitations in the technology used. Usually reflects undesirable distortion(s) of the original when digitized. ARC Aspect ratio conversionChanging the original aspect ratio of a HD picture through downconversion to either 16:9 letterbox or 4:3 center cut (see Center Cut). Also general term for converting original 4:3 / 14:9 material into 16:9 by zooming in whilst maintaining the aspect ratio, typically to allow the seamless insertion of archive footage into modern 16:9 productions. ascertainmentHistoric term for the process of community consultation required by the Federal Communications Commission of U.S. broadcasters. Ascertainment was intended to help a broadcaster determine the needs and concerns of the community being served. ASIAsynchronous serial interface: A streaming data format which often carries an MPEG transport stream (MPEG-TS). Aspect ratioThe ratio between the width and the height of the picture. In NTSC and PAL television sets, this is 4:3; in widescreen (ATSC, DVB, DTMB, and ISDB) sets, 16:9. Sometimes it is printed decimally as 1.33:1 for 4:3 and 1.78:1 for 16:9. Aston(primarily UK) A synonym for lower thirds, the graphics on the bottom part of a television screen. An on-screen overlaid graphic, usually giving the name of the speaker, reporter or place in frame. Name derived from Aston Broadcast Systems Ltd., an early manufacturer of character generator (CG) equipment. ATRAudio tape recorder: A method of recording sound by electromagnetic pulses on a sensitised plastic strip. ATSCAdvanced Television Systems Committee: A committee established by the FCC to decide the technical standards for digital broadcasting in the US. See also ATSC 3.0, its third-generation digital standard. AQHAverage Quarter Hour: A form of audience measurement used by Arbitron, defined as the number of persons listening to a particular station for at least five minutes during a quarter hour. Typical audience measurements may be in the order of ten thousand for the larger shows. (e.g. Jerry Springer scored 1,600 in the 12+ age group in the spring 2005 figures. Rush Limbaugh scored 16,400 in the same report)
B
backhaulTypically a raw broadcast signal direct from a remote site that is devoid of program graphics or studio segments (see fronthaul) backsellThe technique where the DJ announces the song title and/or artist of the song that has just played. Also known as "back announcing". backtimingWhere the DJ calculates the intro time on the song in an attempt to talk over the intro of the song and finish just prior to the vocals commencing. Frequently referred to as 'Hitting the Post' or 'Talking Up the Song' In the case where a piece of music or theme is intended to end at the end of a program, the start of that music is backtimed for its ending to match the end of the program. This music is usually started silently and faded up for the credits. bandwidthThe available space between two given points on the electromagnetic spectrum and, inter alia, the amount of information that can be squeezed into that space. BBCBritish Broadcasting Corporation: The main public service broadcaster in the United Kingdom, founded as the British Broadcasting Company in 1922. bedA production element, usually instrumental music or sound effect played in the background of a spoken commercial, promo or other announcement. biasA constant amplitude high frequency signal added to the recording signal to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and reduce the distortion of an analog tape recording. It works by overcoming magnetic hysteresis. billboardA short announcement to identify a sponsor at the beginning or end of a production element such as the news or traffic/weather reports. BITCBurnt-In Time Code: pronounced bit-see. A permanently visible (as opposed to VITC) clock counter superimposed over a video picture, typically showing duration in hours, minutes, seconds and frames. Black Clipping CircuitAn analog video control circuit that clips the black level signal from Black Encoded content prior to presentation. Historically used in analog TV broadcasts to prepare the video signal just prior to transmission. The presence of this signal in analog masters of classic television shows and the lack of this circuit, or an equivalent filter, in digital conversion explains the presence of this encoded data in various content on Netflix, Hulu, and other digital content providers. Failing to leverage this encoded data also explains the poor color reproduction present in some cases. Black EncodedRefers to analog tv video content in which the video signal of black (7.5 IRE units) has been overlaid on the top or bottom edge of the frame and recorded or merged for broadcast. BTABlack to Air bookA rating period, particularly in radio. break-bumperAn animation or logotype briefly shown after the end of a program or part of a program before the advertising. See also "optical". breakfillerAn animation shown during the middle of a commercial break to provide relevant graphic information accompanied by backing music, usually only taking up no more than two minutes. On news channels, breakfiller content usually includes news excerpts, weather, stock market indices, current time(s) and/or schedules. Breaking newsInterruptions of regular or planned programming for recently-occurring events as reported by a news organization or agency. Broadcast clockUsed interchangeably with format clock and wheel.A broadcast clock is a diagram produced by a program director or a producer to illustrate where each programming element appears in a typical hour. broadcast licenseAlso licence, license and concession in several countries.Authorization for a radio or television station within their respective country to operate, usually with specifications and restrictions on power input, antenna placement, interference mitigation, and in some cases, the specific hours a station can operate. b-rollVideo used to illustrate a story. BugUsed interchangeably with DOG and Watermark. bump bumperAn element that acts as a transition to or from commercial breaks bumper musicA pre-recorded production element containing voice-over and/or music that acts as a transition to or from commercial breaks. BulletinUsed interchangeably with breaking news. Also news bulletin.1. A specific interruption of regularly scheduled programming for coverage of a major news event.2. A regularly scheduled radio or television newscast. BVODBroadcaster video on demand: a free streaming service featuring video content from a traditional television broadcaster.
C
call letterscall signA legal identifier assigned to a broadcast station by its national broadcast regulator. Not all countries assign call signs. cansSlang for headphones. CBCThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a federal Crown corporation that is Canada's national public service broadcaster.1. The English-language CBC Radio One, CBC Music (radio) and CBC Television (television).2. The French-language Ici Radio-Canada Première, Ici Musique (radio) and Ici Radio-Canada Télé (television). CBS1. CBS, a major television network in the United States originally known as the "Columbia Broadcasting System". Operators of radio network CBS News Radio and former owners of CBS Radio (a now-defunct radio station holding company).2. The Christian Broadcasting System (Korean: 기독교방송), a religious broadcasting service in South Korea.3. Central Broadcasting System, state broadcaster for the Republic of China (Taiwan). Its international service, Radio Taiwan International (Chinese: 中央廣播電台; pinyin: Zhōngyāng Guǎngbò Diàntái) is relayed into Mainland China over shortwave transmitters. CCIRComité consultatif international pour la radio: In English, "International Radio Consultative Committee," the organisation responsible for assigning frequencies to radio stations between 1927 and 1992. Now known as ITU-R. CCTV1. Closed-circuit television: Dissemination of television pictures within a given premises without being openly broadcast. 2. China Central Television (Chinese: 中国中央电视台; pinyin: Zhōngguó Zhōngyāng Diànshìtái): The state broadcaster of China. ChannelAlso station. Used interchangeably with frequency and virtual channel.1. A frequency designation for use by a radio or television station by a broadcasting regulator. More commonly associated with television, see television channel.2. A common brand for a television station or said station's respective news service (ex: Channel 4 (disambiguation) and Channel Four News).3. ITV Channel Television, originally "Channel Television" or "Channel", an ITV franchise originating from Jersey, Channel Islands. channel sharing(US) An agreement by which two or more separately licensed television stations are broadcast on the same multiplex. Chyron(primarily US) A synonym for lower thirds, the graphics on the bottom part of a television screen. An on-screen overlaid graphic, usually giving the name of the speaker, reporter or place in frame. Name derived from Chyron Corporation, an early manufacturer of character generator (CG) equipment. City of licenseAlso community of license.(North America) A city or town designation for a radio or television station by the terms of its broadcast license, e.g., "licensed to serve". In the United States, used in conjunction with a radio or television station's call sign for a station identification at regular intervals. classA type of classification system for broadcast radio stations based on their technical parameters, used primarily in North and South America. See List of North American broadcast station classes. clear-channel stationAlso clear channel and clear-channel.(North America) A former definition for high-powered AM stations with the maximum protection from interference by other stations that use the same frequency, arranged by international treaty. Defined by the FCC as Class I-A stations, this was retired in favor of Class A status in the 1980s. Clear Channel CommunicationsA major radio station ownership group in the United States from 1975 to 2014, named after the AM station designation. Renamed as iHeartMedia in 2014. clearanceAiring of programs, particularly in the context of programs on individual stations. From "time clearance". Closed captioningText version of a program's dialogue overlaid on the screen by an equipped television set for people with hearing impairment. closing billboard (CBB)A title card of the program that is shown after the credits, marking the end of a show. clutterAn excessive number of non-program elements (such as commercials) appearing one after another. CNNThe abbreviation for "Cable News Network", a news agency based out of New York City and Atlanta, Georgia, United States, with multiple international news bureaus. Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Cold openUsed interchangeably with teaser. Also teaser sequence.A part of a program played before the title sequence, usually featuring a cliffhanger or prefiguring the plot of the episode to follow. comparative hearingThe process by which the United States Federal Communications Commission determined which of several mutually exclusive applications—for instance, for the same radio frequency or TV channel in a given area—to grant. Abandoned in the 1990s. CONELRAD"Control of Electromagnetic Radiation", an early method for emergency broadcasting to the general public in the United States from 1951 to 1963, maintained by the Federal Civil Defense Administration. Upon activation, all FM and TV stations, and most AM stations, were required to shut down, with the remaining AM stations to rotate between transmitting at 640 kHz or 1240 kHz on a round-robin basis, in order to confuse enemy aircraft relying on radio direction finding. Precursor to the Emergency Broadcast System. copyWritten material to be read by a DJ or presenter. CountdownA bumper which counts down to the beginning of the following broadcast or news event. Also used for the debut of a new channel. coverageThe percentage of households that can tune into a radio station within the theoretical broadcast radius. crashWhen an announcement, jingle or graphic overlaps with a fixed point in the schedule (e.g., the news or a time signal), usually due to poor timing. crossfadeThe technique where a DJ, producer or engineer fades out the outgoing track at the same time as fading in the new track. cross conversionChanging scan rates for synchronicity within a broadcast plant. Typically done by converting between 480i/p 720p, 1080i/p, and 2160 4k.
crossed-dipole antennaUsed interchangeably with turnstile antenna.A radio antenna with two identical dipole antennas mounted at right angles to each other and fed in phase quadrature, resulting in the two currents applied being 90 degrees out of phase. Nicknamed a "turnstile antenna" as the antenna resembles a turnstile when viewed horizontally. Commonly used in FM broadcasting. CRTCCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission: The regulator of broadcasting and communications in Canada. cueingcueDetermining a desired playback point for recorded audio or visual material. Commonly associated in radio broadcasting with setting a recorded piece of music for future playback, which can be determined via off-air means, but is also utilized in television broadcasting and live music events. The intended effect is to prevent dead air from being broadcast. cue burnAn effect of the back and forth movement of a record turntable when a DJ was cueing tracks for future airplay. The cartridge of the player would rub the vinyl and damage the records creating a characteristic noise. cue dotA small square inserted in the corner of the picture to inform rebroadcasters that an advertisement break is about to happen. In the UK, this appeared exactly one minute before the break and disappeared 55 seconds later. cue channelIn the early days of networks a dedicated multi-drop phone line connected all affiliated station engineers to the network Master Control. The system was backed up with teletype too. cue trackA recorded audio track containing information about upcoming events that an operating engineer would need to know. It was first used by Thomas Edison on his first talking pictures using records for the sound playback. He used the information to synchronize picture and sound. On early soundtrack records, the introduction of a "beep tone" was used to tell the operator to turn on and off the auditorium speakers so the audience would not hear the cue information. Cue tracks were adopted in the early days of Kinescope to cue the film chain engineer, later used in early Ampex Quad Tape systems and is still used today either as voice or digitally for station automation systems. In the early days of bicycled programs cue tracks along with a printed timeline was used to inform the engineer of breaks or jam (insert) spots in the tape including a 5-second countdown to the break-in and out locations. Because the program tape or film never stopped, often the original recording engineer would add comments of his own regarding the program, sometimes humorous. When smaller networks supported independent stations, programs were assembled with the cue track often containing the voices of the original and assembling engineers. Cue toneUsed to prompt insertion of a local TV commercial or radio advertisement by the broadcast automation equipment at the broadcast station or cable headend. CumeShort for cumulative audience, a similar measurement for a newspaper or magazines' circulation figures. CW, TheA major television network in the United States, formed in 2006 as a merger between UPN (owned by CBS Corporation) and The WB (owned by TimeWarner). Currently jointly owned by successor companies Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery with a pending purchase of majority control by Nexstar Media Group.
D
DABDigital Audio Broadcasting: The use of digital encoding to send higher quality or a greater number of radio services to equipped receivers. DACDigital-to-analog converter: Equipment that changes digital signals into pictures or sound. DaypartingThe radio station's broadcast programming day is normally split up (starting at 6 am) into a series of 4 hour sessions containing one or more shows. In radio broadcasting, the term is usually used to refer to the practice of pushing certain songs to a later or earlier listening time (such as more adult-oriented content to a later hour). daytimer(North America) An AM station required to suspend all operations during nighttime hours if they operate on a frequency assigned to a high-powered Class A station. See clear-channel station. dBDecibelA measure of voltage, current or power gain. DBSDirect-broadcast satellite: Television and radio programs distributed by satellite for reception via a dish at the receiver's property. DDDoordarshan, the Indian public television broadcaster. Dead airThe time on-air where there is no audible transmission. This silence can be down to any of the following: DJ, Producer or Engineer error Equipment error or failure Act of God Deliberate silence for remembrance. deintermixture(historical, United States) The reallocation of television frequencies such that an area would only have VHF or UHF television stations. As UHF stations suffered from severe economic disadvantages to VHF stations in the early years of television, numerous proposals were made to separate VHF and UHF cities, thereby ensuring fair competition in a given market. diginetDigital multicast television network: A type of national television service designed to be broadcast as a secondary channel by existing TV stations. dipole antennaA class of antennas commonly consisting of two identical conductive elements (ex., metal wires or rods). Currents or output signals applied by a transmitter are divided between the two halves of the antenna, which in turn produces radio waves. Can be used for resonant antennas, radar altimeters or for broadcasting. Regarded as the simplest type of antenna from a theoretical point of view. DJDisc Jockey: A radio presenter who links records. DMADesignated Market Area: In the United States, a group of counties or parts of counties that share a group of television stations. DMAs are defined by Nielsen Media Research and are referenced by several federal regulations. There are 210 DMAs in the United States. DOGUsed interchangeably with Bug and Watermark.Digital on-screen graphic: A common practice of displaying on-screen the logo of a television station, a network, a sponsoring company or the program itself. Commonly referred to as a "bug" because it looks like an insect is hanging out in the corner of the screen, typically as a translucent image in the right hand bottom corner. Controversial due to "screenburn" issues, found to be distracting, among other reasons. Dolby DigitalAlso Dolby D. The standard for 5.1 channel (surround sound) audio. Six discrete channels are used (Left, Center, Right, Left Rear Surround, Right Rear Surround, and Subwoofer). double pumpingPutting out two episodes of a show back-to-back, either to boost ratings in a given slot or to burn off episodes of a cancelled show. drive timeDrive time refers to the period of time where the majority of radio listeners travel to or from work (i.e. rush hour). This is traditionally 6–10 am and 2–6 pm, and is normally accompanied by radio stations' highest listenership. Commercials are normally more expensive during such times. down-stream keyerPart of a vision mixer used for compositing by removing part of one video signal (the "key") and adding in another video signal (the "fill"). dropping the lightLowering the light levels. "Drop the light" is often yelled while shooting when the director wants to continue shooting the action of the scene after the light levels are lowered. It has nothing to do with any physical dropping of a lighting fixture during the scene. dropsThese are excerpts of TV, movies and other audio programs that are used to accentuate programming. drop song1. Temporary unselecting a playlist song to better accommodate an accurate clock hour.2. A song scheduled on a radio station but not played for timing reasons. DSNGDigital Satellite news gathering: Use of digital satellite transmission from remote broadcast locations for the purpose of live television news event coverage. DTHDirect to Home: Television and radio programs distributed by satellite for reception via a dish at the receiver's property. DTMBDigital Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcast: Digital television transmission standard developed in the People's Republic of China. DTTDigital terrestrial television: Digital broadcast of television signals over the air. DVBDigital Video Broadcasting: A standard of digital television transmission and reception. Comes in variants according to the type of broadcast, e.g. DVB-T for terrestrial.
E
E/IAlso Children's Television Act (CTA), the E/I rules, or the Kid Vid rules.Shorthand for "educational and informative", part of a series of regulations on children's television programming in the United States. EASEmergency Alert System: An emergency warning system used in the United States. EBS1. Educational Broadcasting System: A public broadcaster in South Korea.2. Emergency Broadcast System: A former emergency warning system used in the United States. EBUEuropean Broadcasting Union: An alliance of public service broadcasting entities, mostly in Europe. eFMThe FM extended band in Brazil, 76.1–87.3 MHz. ENACOMThe Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (National Communications Entity), regulator of broadcasting in Argentina. encryptionThe scrambling of a signal to allow reception via a decoder only by specific viewers, e.g. after the payment of a fee. ERPEffective radiated power: A standardized definition of directional radio frequency (RF) power used in VHF and UHF broadcasting, including FM radio and television. ESPNThe flagship network of six basic cable television channels, four college athletics channels and a streaming video service based out of Bristol, Connecticut, United States, focused on live sport coverage and analysis. Formerly an abbreviation for "Entertainment and Sports Programming Network". Jointly owned by The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications. See also: ESPN Radio and The Sports Network.
F
faderSee pot. FASTFree ad-supported streaming television, a type of linear streaming-only TV service. faxAbbreviation of “facilities check”; a diagnostic process of ensuring all video and audio sources are properly connected and configured throughout all production equipment prior to a broadcasting or recording event. Sometimes spelled facs. feedbackA loud noise produced when the amplified sound from an output (loudspeaker) is picked up by an input (microphone, phonograph) feeding that loudspeaker. This can be potentially damaging to both the speaker(s) in question, as well as the hearing of the subjected listener. This may also occur when an input is directly patched into an output of the same device, usually due to operator error. In radio broadcasting, feedback may occur when a DJ increases his or her headphone volume to a high enough level that the microphone is able to pick up the sound coming from the headphones, usually when the DJ's head is turned to one side. FCCFederal Communications Commission: The regulator of broadcasting and communications in the United States. Format clockUsed interchangeably with #broadcast clock and wheel. FoxShorthand for the Fox Broadcasting Company, a major television network in the United States. Fox NewsAlso Fox News Channel.A news service based out of New York, New York, United States, with multiple international bureaus and features punditry programming with a largely conservative slant. Owned by Fox Corporation. FPS frames per secondThe number of times the television is refreshed in a second of time. As a rule of thumb, this is the same as the frequency of the local alternating current electricity supply – 60 Hz or 50 Hz. FRC frame rate conversionA technology to synchronize and change frame rates between two formats (ie: film to video, PAL to NTSC, 50 Hz to 60 Hz. etc..) FrequencyUsed interchangeably with channel.The number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time. Frequency modulationAlso FM radio or FM. Used interchangeably with megahertz (MHz).A modulation technique used in electronic communication where the instantaneous frequency of the wave is varied, with the instantaneous frequency deviation having a functional relation to the modulating signal amplitude. Invented by Edwin Howard Armstrong, this technique is most commonly used for transmitting an audio signal via a radio wave measured in megahertz (MHz). See FM broadcasting. fronthaulA broadcast video feed that is complete with graphics, commercials, interstitials and studio integration. This typically originates from a master control room and is delivered to a distributor or over-the-air (also see backhaul) front sellThe act of introducing a song about to be played.
G
gainA change in signal level, usually expressed in decibels. galleryAlso known as the production control room or the studio control room. Where the composition of the outgoing program takes place. genlockDistributing a reference signal to multiple video devices in order to make them operate at the same frequency. Gigahertz (GHz)Thousand million cycles per second. Used electromagnetically to measure satellite frequencies.
H
HAATHeight above average terrain: A calculation of the variance in height between a VHF or UHF broadcasting antenna and the surrounding terrain. hammockingPlacing a new or poorly-performing program between two established popular programs in order to boost viewing figures. HBO"Home Box Office", a pay television channel in the United States centered on theatrically released motion pictures, original television programs, made-for-cable movies, documentaries, sports coverage, comedy and concert specials. The flagship of seven multiplex channels, a traditional subscription video on demand platform and streaming video service HBO Max. Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. HDTVHigh-definition television: Broadcasting using a line standard of 720 or greater. Prior to World War II, high definition meant a line standard greater than 240 lines.
helical antennaA radio antenna with one or more conductive wires, wound up in the shape of a helix. A version of this is utilized for both FM and UHF broadcasting, while an axial mode helical antenna is commonly used for satellite communication. Also known as the "rubber ducky antenna" used in two way radio. HEVCHigh Efficiency Video Coding (also known as H.265), a video codec. hit the postA DJ talking right up to the point where the vocals of a song commence hits the post.
I
identA station's symbol or logo, often accompanied by music, a jingle or an animation. image linerA short audio clip played frequently on a radio station between songs and ads to identify the station that is being aired, i.e. the station's name, call letters, or positioning statement. IFT Spanish: Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones The Federal Telecommunications Institute, primary regulator of broadcasting in Mexico. In-band on-channelA hybrid method of encoding an analog signal and a digital signal on the same frequency. Also referred to as IBOC. Utilized in North American radio for the proprietary HD Radio standard. Independent stationAlso independent or indie.1. A radio or television station generally not linked to a major network.2. (U.S., Canada and Mexico) A television station not affiliated with any of the main broadcast networks.ITUInternational Telecommunication Union: Originally the International Telegraph Union, the ITU is the international organization established in 1865 to standardize and regulate international radio and telecommunications. iTV interactive televisionSystems that allow viewers to interact (e.g. play games, shop for related items or find further information) either two-way, via a telephone line, or one-way, via MHEG graphics. ITV1. "Independent Television", a major commercial television network in the United Kingdom.2. A public limited company of the same name that owns and operates most of the network's current franchises.
J
jingleA produced programming element usually in the form of vocals to accompanying music often produced in-house to identify the show, DJ or the station.
K
kilohertz (kHz)Used interchangeably with amplitude modulation and medium wave.Thousand cycles per second. Used electromagnetically to measure medium wave and short wave frequencies. KBPFilipino: Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, the trade association of commercial broadcasters in the Philippines.
L
legal IDIn the United States, the station identification consisting of the station call letters followed by the community of license. Given as close as practical to the top of the hour at a natural break in program offerings. letterboxUsed interchangeably with pillar box and postage stamp.The appearance of black bars at the top and bottom of a picture when 16:9 or 14:9 widescreen material is shown on 4:3 sets. lighthouseIn ATSC 3.0, a station designated to serve as the primary broadcaster of ATSC 3.0 transmissions on behalf of multiple stations. linerA piece of written text that the DJ says over the intro of a song or between spots and songs. Liners are designed to invoke the imagination. line standardThe number of lines broadcast to make up a television picture. Generally, 525 in NTSC areas and 625 elsewhere in PAL/SECAM areas. liveAny programming which is broadcast immediately as it is being delivered (a live report); performed (a live concert or show); or captured (live news or sports coverage). Requires an unbroken communications chain without any intervening recording or storage technology. Considered the most exciting form of broadcasting, delivered “as it happens”. live on tape live-to-tapeA recorded program produced in real time, usually with a studio audience, for later broadcast. Requires precisely timed pauses for insertion of station breaks and commercials at time of broadcast. Typically employed for network broadcast across multiple time zones. Also applies to live broadcasting which is simultaneously recorded for rebroadcast at a later time or date. LKFSA newly introduced audio measurement tool that measure loudness, k-weighted, relative to full scale (or LKFS) is a loudness standard designed to enable normalization of audio levels for delivery of broadcast TV and other video. It typically is measured over time and not as immediate peak readings. LKFS is standardized in ITU-R BS.1770. LMALocal marketing agreement: (U.S.) A type of management agreement in which one entity assumes most of the operational functions of a broadcast station owned by another. Less comprehensive agreements include the joint sales agreement (JSA) and shared services agreement (SSA). logUsed interchangeably with PASB.A written record of broadcasting. There are typically three logs:1. A music log recording what songs were played, typically used with radio stations.2. An engineer's log detailing technical production settings.A commercial log recording which commercials were played during the day. lower thirdPortion of screen of regular broadcast reserved for textual and static visual content; i.e., news ticker, time, title of segment, title of program, channel bug, etc. Upper third has sometimes been used alongside lower third, as in the case of MSNBC since 2010.
M
MacrovisionA trademarked system designed to prevent unauthorized copying of video material.
mast radiatorA monopole antenna, commonly a conductive steel guyed mast, that is energized and functions as an antenna. Used for medium wave AM stations, the mast is connected electrically to a transmitter and mounted to insulate it from the ground. Can also be a freestanding lattice tower. A few of these towers, constructed by Blaw-Knox, are known for their distinctive diamond shape. master clockA signal generator that outputs timecode and reference video for genlocking. May output word clock as well. Medium waveUsed interchangeably with amplitude modulation and kilohertz (kHz).A specific spectrum of the medium frequency (MF) radio band allocated for AM radio broadcasting.Megahertz (MHz)Used interchangeably with frequency modulation.Million cycles per second. Used electromagnetically to measure FM broadcasts and television. miscueA mistake by the DJ or production engineer resulting in two audio elements being played at the same time, e.g. an interview and the next song. monopole antennaMarconi antennaInvented by Guglielmo Marconi. A rod-shaped conductor typically mounted perpendicularly over a conductive ground plane surface, which emits radio waves when connected to a transmitter. MTV1. MTV, a pay television cable channel in the United States. Originally an abbreviation for "Music Television" and launched in 1981 with an all-music videos lineup.2. MTV (Hungarian: Magyar Televízió, "Hungarian Television"), a public television broadcaster in Hungary. multichannel(Australia) A secondary channel from an existing major broadcaster. See Digital multicast television network. Mutual Broadcasting SystemAlso Mutual Radio, Mutual and MBS.A former major radio network in the United States established in 1934 as a cooperative among affiliate stations.
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NABNational Association of Broadcasters, the U.S. trade association of commercial broadcasters. nat/VOVideo only with natural sound: (Television news) Video with natural sound played at full volume intended to be accompanied by a news correspondent reading a news story. NBC1. NBC, an abbreviation for the National Broadcasting Company, a major television network in the United States.2. Two former radio networks in the United States: NBC Red (later the NBC Radio Network) and NBC Blue (later the Blue Network).3. NBC PNG, Papua New Guinea's state-owned broadcaster.4. The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (Afrikaans: Namibiese Uitsaai-Korporasie), the public broadcaster of Namibia.5. Nation Broadcasting Corporation, a major radio and TV network in the Philippines.6. The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, (Norwegian: Norsk rikskringkasting AS), the public broadcaster of Norway.7. "Newfoundland Broadcasting Company", a former on-air brand for (and the current ownership of) CJON-DT in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. NetworkAlso broadcast network or chain broadcasting.A system which distributes programming to multiple stations simultaneously, or slightly delayed, for the purpose of extending total broadcast coverage beyond the limits of a single radio or television signal.1. Television network, distributing television program content.2. Radio network, either for distributing audio content to a chain of radio stations or a means of direct two-way communication.3. News network, a form of broadcast journalism either in radio, television or the internet. NEMO(historical, United States) Not Emanating Main Office: An early term used in remote broadcast operations. It was often used to refer to the remote lines that fed live pro