# Produce a Program

Part of the Radio Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/radio/guide/index.md)

*8. Option B: Radio Broadcasting*

> **8b2.** Prepare a program schedule for radio station "KBSA" of exactly one-half hour, including music, news, commercials, and proper station identification. Record your program on audiotape or in a digital audio format, using proper techniques.

## Planning Your Program Schedule

A professional radio program is carefully timed. Every second is accounted for. Here's a sample 30-minute schedule you can adapt:

| Time | Segment | Duration |
|------|---------|----------|
| 0:00 | Station ID: "This is KBSA" | 0:10 |
| 0:10 | Welcome / show intro | 0:50 |
| 1:00 | Song #1 | 3:30 |
| 4:30 | DJ talk / song back-announce | 0:30 |
| 5:00 | Song #2 | 3:30 |
| 8:30 | Commercial break (2 ads × 0:30) | 1:00 |
| 9:30 | News update | 2:00 |
| 11:30 | Weather | 0:30 |
| 12:00 | Song #3 | 3:30 |
| 15:30 | Station ID (FCC requires ID at or near the top of each hour and half-hour) | 0:10 |
| 15:40 | DJ talk / topic segment | 1:20 |
| 17:00 | Song #4 | 3:30 |
| 20:30 | Commercial break (2 ads × 0:30) | 1:00 |
| 21:30 | Song #5 | 3:30 |
| 25:00 | Community calendar / PSA | 1:00 |
| 26:00 | Song #6 | 3:00 |
| 29:00 | Show outro / sign-off | 0:50 |
| 29:50 | Station ID | 0:10 |

## Station Identification Rules

The FCC requires broadcast stations to identify with their call sign and city of license **at the top of each hour** and **at a natural break closest to the top of each hour.** For your program, include a station ID at or near the beginning and at or near the 15-minute mark.

A legal station ID sounds like: **"This is KBSA, [City, State]."**

## Recording Tips

- **Use a quiet space.** Background noise ruins recordings. A closet full of clothes makes a surprisingly good improvised recording booth.
- **Smartphone apps work.** The Voice Memos app (iPhone) or a free recorder app (Android) produces acceptable quality.
- **Speak clearly and at a consistent distance** from the microphone (6–8 inches).
- **Pre-record your music segments** using royalty-free music or have them ready to mix in. (You can narrate around them.)
- **Write a script** for your news, commercials, and DJ segments. Real broadcasters use scripts — it's not cheating, it's professional practice.
- **Time each segment** with a stopwatch as you record. If your total is not exactly 30 minutes, re-record segments to adjust.

> **Tip**
>
> For music, use royalty-free tracks (search "royalty-free music" online) or describe the songs in your DJ segments without actually playing copyrighted recordings. Alternatively, if you or a friend play an instrument, record original music. Your counselor cares about the format and production quality, not the music licensing.

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