Weekends matter too on Public Radio

As a consultant and somebody searching for opportunities in public media, I've run into a lot of weekend programming that just isn't the same as the weekday programming. What's different? There's a programming shift. Not sure of what I mean? There are two places you can start. A recent blog by Fred Jacobs called "Working for the Weekend" highlights George Bailey's "NPR Weekend Programming" research. Fred came up with six takeaways. They all relate to the last. Do your homework.

1. Great programmers can program anything.
2. Know your audience.
3. Weekends matter. (Have a live presence because things happen)
4. Great programming transcends ratings methodology.
5. Do what George did. (use Metrics and Analytics )
6. Do your programming homework.

Part of my frustration as a listener is the lack of a live presence on the weekend in my market. Two major events happened in New England on the weekend. At the end of August and the end of October there were major storms that knocked out power for days. There was great coverage after the fact but, hardly anything during these events. The public service aspect of these storms was missing because the breaks at my local stations are pre-produced. It was a missed opportunity.