Radio Conventions

Actuality

Audio material recorded on location. In news programmes it is usually someone speaking and lasts for 10 to 20 seconds.

Cue

Generally the introduction to a radio correspondent's report. A cue might also introduce a clip of actuality, a sound bite or other audio, such as a piece of music.

Intro

The intro is the presenter’s introduction. It generally involves a greeting, a time check and the news reader’s name. For example: Good evening, I’m Seamus McKee. Here is the news at six thirty.

Outro

The outro is the presenter’s sign-off. That was the news at six thirty. Our next bulletin will be at seven o’clock.

Stinger/sting/jingle

A short burst of music or sound (with pictures if on TV) played at regular intervals during a programme. Stings are often used at the beginning or the end of a report or to highlight the headlines.

Atmos 

Short for atmosphere: Background noise recorded on location. 

Audio clips

A 15 to 20 second piece of pre-recorded audio taken from an interview with someone related to the story, for example an eye-witness of a plane crash. 

Fades

When sound effects (SFX) or music gradually fades away