Log Broadcast Stations
8b3.
Listen to and properly log 15 broadcast stations. Determine the program format and target audience for five of these stations.
How to Log a Broadcast Station
For each of your 15 stations, record:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Call sign | WNYC |
| Frequency | 93.9 FM |
| Band | FM |
| City/State | New York, NY |
| Date/Time heard | 2026-04-05, 2:30 PM |
| What was airing | NPR news program |
Call sign
- Example
- WNYC
Frequency
- Example
- 93.9 FM
Band
- Example
- FM
City/State
- Example
- New York, NY
Date/Time heard
- Example
- 2026-04-05, 2:30 PM
What was airing
- Example
- NPR news program
Determining Format and Audience (for 5 stations)
For five of your 15 stations, add a deeper analysis:
Common formats:
- Country, Top 40/Pop, Classic Rock, Hip-Hop/R&B, News/Talk, Sports Talk, Public Radio (NPR), Classical, Religious, Spanish-language
Identifying format: Listen for 10–15 minutes. Note the style of music, the type of talk segments, the advertisers (who’s buying ads tells you who’s listening), and any format slogans (“Today’s Best Music,” “All News, All the Time”).
Identifying target audience: Who are the ads targeting? A station running ads for family minivans, insurance, and grocery stores is targeting a different audience than one running ads for energy drinks and video games. News/talk stations often target adults 35+; Top 40 stations target teens and young adults.
Tips for Getting 15 Stations
- Mix AM and FM. Include at least a few AM stations — they have a different character.
- Scan the dial slowly. You’ll find stations you didn’t know existed.
- Drive or travel. A car radio during a road trip can pick up many different stations as you move through different coverage areas.
- Try different times of day. AM stations change behavior dramatically between day and night due to propagation changes.