Radio Broadcasting Glossary – D
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
DAT – Digital Audio Tape, used in digital systems.
Data Transmission – The sending of data, such as audio or video messages, by breaking the information down into the smallest bit units that a computer understands.
Daypart – A portion of a radio station’s broadcast day, usually split into Morning: 6-10am, Midday: 10-2pm, Afternoon: 2-6pm, Evening: 6-12 Midnight, etc.
Dead air – Silence on the radio when there is no audible transmission that can be due to either operator error, computer error or an act of nature.
Decibel – The unit that measures the volume of sound.
DeeJay (DJ) – Radio personality, or disc-jockey – a “jock.”
Delayed broadcast – The program is pre-recorded, or not live. To be broadcast at another time.
Delivery – The style that an announcer uses when announcing a commercial, or reading a script.
Deregulation – The loosening of Federal regulation over radio stations either by decree from the FCC or through law by Congress. The Communication Act of 1996 offered new deregulation for radio.
Diaphragmatic breathing – Sometimes known as 7 to 11 breathing because of the counting when performing this technique, this breathing technique requires a breath in to a count of 7, then a breath out to a count of 11. The out breath must last longer than the in breath.
Digital Audio Tape (DAT or R-DAT) – A signal recording and playback medium that was developed by Sony in the mid ‘80s. It appears similar to a compact audio cassette and uses 4 mm magnetic tape enclosed in a protective shell, but it is half the size at 73 mm × 54 mm × 10.5 mm.
Director – The individual responsible for controlling the program on radio or TV.
Disc – A phonograph record or a CD.
Digital radio – Technology that concerns the transmitting of digital audio and data signals alongside existing AM and FM analog signals, which allows listeners to enjoy CD-quality sound, eliminating the static and hiss associated with analog broadcasts. It also provides a platform for new wireless data services that, combined with display screens on HD Radio-enabled receivers, will deliver a variety of additional information such as song titles, artist names, traffic updates, weather forecasts, sports scores, etc.
Disc-jockey – a deejay (DJ) or person who plays songs on the radio, and provides information and other content to listeners.
Drive Time – Known as the time periods between 6-10am (Morning Drive) and 2-6pm (Afternoon Drive) when radio stations typically have their highest listenership.
Drops – Sound bites that have been lifted from movies, television programs or other sources to be used by DJs to accentuate programming.
Dub – To make a copy of a tape or an audio or TV segment or a commercial.
