Live Shows

First and foremost, follow the station clock! The time below is synced with the station archiver and used by our automation system and board operators for transitions.  This is important because you will need to start on time and end on time.  Any deviation will negatively affect our website archives, airtime for promos and psa’s, and the programs before and after your show.  If you need to see the time in a separate tab or in a larger size, please click the “The Station Clock” link below.

The Station Clock (Pacific Time):


Secondly, connect to the On Air Studio at least 15 minutes before your show.  If you experience any issues connecting, message the Engineering/Operations Department on the Slack channel #on-air immediately.

Click Here to Connect to the On-Air Studio

These pages address the needs of all live shows, and all your questions should be answered here.  Our goal is to provide the listening audience with the smoothest-sounding, highest-quality show.  They should not know there are issues in the background, and in order to accomplish this, you must dedicate two-thirds (2/3) to three-fourths (3/4) of your time to preparation.  Remember, “Quality is respect for listeners!”

Before Your Show Checklist

  1. Ensure you are technically trained and ready 1 week prior to your show.
    • For Remote Shows: Ensure your home studio is set up correctly.
      • Tools for Host Producers: Slack or Google Hangouts to communicate with the Board Operator Off-Mic and connect to the on-air studio.
    • For In-Studio Shows: Ensure you know how to use all applicable tools.
      • Tools for Host Producers: Studio Computer Logins, On-Air Studio Phone Module, and mute and talkback buttons.
      • Tools for Board Operators and Music Host Producers: Studio Computer Logins, On-Air Studio Equipment, On-Air Studio Phone Module, talkback, and dump buttons.
  2. Runsheet and Credits – This is Mandatory.
    • Create and Submit Runsheets to [email protected].  We ask that you do this 30 minutes before your program.
    • Remember, your show must end on time.
      • 29 minutes
      • 58 minutes (local programming)
      • 59 minutes (syndicated programming: Democracy Now!, Letters & Politics, and Flashpoints only)
      • For any show longer than 1 hour, please remember to play promos and station IDs at the top of every hour.  AND you must end at the 58-minute mark of the final hour of your show.
    • Confirm that your guests’ contact information is correct and that you have a backup.
      • Whenever there is a problem connecting to guests, there are generally two problems.
        • The guest’s phone number or online account info is incorrect.
        • The guest is in a different time zone and is ready at a different time.
    • Write and confirm names for your show’s credits.
  3. Prepare and Submit Sound Elements
    • Upload your sound to KPFA’s Dropbox 30 minutes before your program starts.
    • Links to online content.
      • Please ensure this content is not copyrighted, or you have explicit permission from the creator to use it.
  4. Contact your board operator a week in advance for any special requests.
  5. Update your Episode page on kpfa.org.

During Your Show

  1. Pay Attention to the Station Clock.
    • Note: You can use your smartphone to give you a countdown, which helps you end on time.
      • 29 minutes.
      • 58 minutes (local programming).
      • 59 minutes (syndicated programming: Democracy Now!, Letters & Politics, and Flashpoints only).
      • For any show longer than 1 hour, please remember to play promos and station IDs at the top of every hour.  AND you must end at the 58-minute mark of the final hour of your show.
  2. Abide by FCC and Station Policies and Guidelines with regard to:
  3. No Station IDs unless your program is longer than 1 hour.  Station IDs are already scheduled in automation between programs.  If your show is longer than 1 hour, click here to learn more about the proper way to say the Station ID.
  4. Music Programmers: Ensure your playlist is accurate.
    • Click here to edit your playlist.

After Your Show

  1. Clean up the studio, wipe down any surfaces, and ensure you normalize all equipment you used.  Normalize means returning all equipment to the state you found it in when you arrived.
  2. If obscene, indecent, or patently offensive language was aired, fill out the Sensitive Language Report.
  3. Update your Episode page on kpfa.org.
    1. Instructions for updating an Episode on KPFA.org
    2. Episode Description Guidelines
  4. Music Programmers
    • Bring up Automation at the 58-minute mark of the final hour.
    • Normalize the Board.
    • Sign Program Log.
    • Exit the On Air Studio as quickly and quietly as possible.
    • Double-check the playlist is correct.
      • Click here to edit your playlist.

 

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