Welcome to MacDonald Broadcasting’s programming department! 

The following will help you learn our philosophies, policies and practices.  It will also serve as a quick reference guide when you may not be certain of what to do next. 

At MBC – Saginaw our management structure is as follows:

Air staff report to their Program Directors.  Program Directors report to the Operations Manager.  Everyone reports to the station manager.  Everyone and our station manager report to our company president.  When you have questions about on air execution, email your direct report, likely your program director.  Email creates a digital paper trail and helps assure better internal communications. 

What’s your job?

There are two parts of the job of air talent at MacDonald Broadcasting.  OFF AIR and ON AIR.

OFF AIR:

1.  The FCC

            A. Rules and Regulations

- You can’t swear on air.

            - You can’t leave the building during your time on air

            - You must take transmitter readings on all stations.

- During the evening, you must check and log our tower lights to make sure we’re in compliance with the FAA.

B. The Emergency Alert System

            - You must air alerts from the White House and Tornado Warnings.

2. Weather

- In the event of severe storms, you are to record severe weather updates for our secondary stations.

- In the event of severe storms, you are to air severe weather updates 5-6 times per hours to serve the community.

- From time to time severe weather is sponsored.  Make sure you read the sponsorships on air as prescribed.

3. Commercial Log

            - You must sign on and off the front page of the daily commercial logs for all stations.

            - You must sign on and off again at the start and end of your time on air for all stations.

            - The commercial log is a legal document; a proof of performance that all commercials aired.

- When a commercial airs, we get paid.  Commercials can’t be missed.  Notify production or traffic if a spot is missing.

            - A spot can only be missed with the permission of the appropriate department head.

ON AIR:

As you might imagine, this is the fun part of the job.  Hosting on air shows, hosting live events, talking to callers, creating podcasts, posting on social medial, creating commercials, hosting paid and promotional remotes are all part of the job.  But at the core your job on air is 3 parts.

1.  Make a connection with listeners.

2.  Create content to air during your show.

3.  Get listeners to keep listening, listen longer. 

Here are some of our philosophies that we execute to make those three things happen.  We call them Success Factors:

1. Prep – Your job is to research, write, create and perform the content that fills the available content breaks each hour.  Artist info, Concert info, Pop Culture Bites, Weather, Local Events are all types of content you can use to add value to the listening experience.

2. Rehearse - Any content you perform on air must be rehearsed so it is delivered efficiently and well on air.

3. Self-Asses – How can you make the next on air break better? Never be satisfied with your performance.  Keep striving for better!

4. Brand – Say our station names relentlessly.  We are in the memory game.

5. Tease – Entice listeners to listen LONGER by asking questions that makes the mind wander.

6. You Factor – Say the word YOU more than I.  You are the host of a party, not the star of a show.

7. Localize – Every piece of content you create has a Michigan angle.  Frame your content with it.

8. Prove You’re Live – When you’re in studio, deliver weather, traffic and time checks.

9. STSTS – Start the song, then speak.  Don’t cheat to give yourself more time.

10. Sell New Music – Listeners hate the unfamiliar.  Introduce new songs and artists!