Should You Use A Program Clock? – Law Podcasting Episode 37

 

Show Clock for NPR's “All Things Considered”

 

What is a program Clock

A Program Clock is a template that broadcast stations and networks use to program on-air: when to start and end a show, where to place breaks for local announcements and underwriting or ads, when newscasts should be inserted, etc.
But you should consider using one for your podcast, even though you're not as bound by time constraints as traditional terrestrial radio and television programs are.
A Program clock brings a desirable consistency and predictability to your show's format, which is useful both to the producers, hosts, editors, and others involved in creating the show, but also to the audience, who'll take comfort in the organization and structure of the show from episode-to-episode.
Creating a program clock is simply a matter of dividing a circle into time “wedges” representing each of the various components or “segments” of the show:  Cold-Open, Intro Music, Welcome from Host, Ad/Promo/Call to Action, Content Blocks, wrap-up, and outro music will each be represented by a wedge with time indicators to show the start and end points.
Other formats can be used.  I've seen vertical bar-charts, horizontal timelines, and chronological run-down outlines.  In the video production space, storyboards are an analogous tool.
Following the program clock rigorously is something best left to broadcasters who have specific time windows in which they must fit their programming.  In the podcast space, this is less of a concern.  Audience members aren't going to mind if your show goes a few seconds (or minutes) longer than expected.  The point is, you use the Program clock as a guide.
It's ok to depart completely from your clock if the content justifies it.  Breaking News or special event coverage is a perfect example.  Announcing that you're doing so, is a great way to capture your audience's attention from time to time.
Consider creating a show clock for your podcast.   It's a valuable planning and production tool.
Here are some articles about Program Clocks.
Examples:

 

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Shemia Fagan of The Working Parents Law Cast -Law Podcasting Episode 36

Shemia Fagan

“The key is to identify a target market, not a target topic…”

— Shemia Fagan, The Working Parents' Law Cast

 

Shemia Fagan hails from Portland Oregon, where she is is a partner at HKM Employment Attorneys. Shemia is recognized as “The Working Parents' Lawyer” because she focuses her practice specifically on workplace challenges facing other working parents, including wrongful termination based on pregnancy discrimination, family leave, sick leave, sexual harassment, and marital status discrimination. Shemia was recently honored with the Portland Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 award, and recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers national publication. As if that is not enough, Shemia is also an Oregon legislator serving her second term in the Oregon House of Representatives. She serves on the Business and Labor Committee and as the Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee. Shemia lives in the Portland suburbs with her husband, son, two dogs, and two cats. As you can imagine, Shemia is commonly asked, “How do you do it all?” The answer (until she discovers more than 24 hours in a day) is her devotion to time management principles. “Devotion” is a nice way to characterize her obsession, others might say she's a productivity zealot. Either way, she is on a perpetual quest to work smarter so she can play harder. That is why she shares time management tips for other lawyers as The Efficient Attorney on Facebook.

Shemia recently Launched The Working Parent's Law Cast, and we talked about her experience launching the new show…


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NOTE: Some of the above may be affiliate links to products or services for which we receive a commission when you purchase. Thank you!