BBC podcast interview

What are the different responsibilities of presenters and producers?

• A team assistant who works outside the studio- one of the most important roles is putting callers forward onto the radio
• The assistant producer also gives them a debrief e.g is the radio off and do they know what they are going to talk about- sound brilliant for the millions of listeners. Also if there is a guest coming on they may need to be briefed (coming on to say)-running equipment
• Don't swear
• Don't talk about certain brands
• Everything runs smoothly
• Producer constantly teaching
• Music team pre-programme all the songs before so they are not be over lapped
• The team can request guests to be in or if they bump into them ask

What preparation goes into each programme?

The day before they tend to know what goes into the next days show, this includes any guests or competitions, the first few hours of the day the look at whats happened and try their best to reflect it in the show this includes scrolling through various social media sites. Not scripted yet a structure to follow in order to be flexible, yet use 'hot foods' as back up. Have 5 things in place to drop throughout the show (talking points) when it fits in best. Within the Whats-app group chat there is always a form of a business meaning including talking about things that have happened and can be spoken about; always thinking and remembering things that can be included. You are always thinking of the radio.

Whats most challenging and most enjoyable about working on the show?

• Messes up the sleeping pattern (being in by 5 am)
• Always need to be fresh and up to date- a big responsibility 
• Enjoy having guests on the show
• Enjoys playing games
• The whole team get on so well it makes work feel even more enjoyable
• You can make it relatable and funny
• Audience makes you happy
• Love making listeners laugh and cheering them up
• Sometimes get difficult guests and have to cut them short
• Doesn't have to be as clean and perfect-flexible

What are the team dynamics like?

• Everyone is very close together in a refined space
• Important you understand each other
• Quite a lot of changing within the team-however always a close enough bond especially with the producer- creates new ideas
• Good vibes within the 'dysfunctional family'
• Belief and trust in each other

How can you break into radio?

• Do free work in local radio stations
• Student radio
• Directly approaching people in the industry- persistent and not afraid to be rejected
• Finding topics you enjoy talking about
• Studying at university helps as it covers such a wide range of topics