E-20
EN
Descriptions of the PTY (Programme Type) codes, TP
(Traffic Programme) and TA (Traffic Announcement)
You can search for and receive the following PTY, TP and
TA signals.
NEWS Short accounts of facts, events and
publicly expressed views, reportage and
actuality.
AFFAIRS Topical programme expanding or
enlarging upon the news, generally in
different presentation style or concept,
including debate, or analysis.
INFO Programmes whose purpose is to impart
advice in the widest sense.
SPORT Programme concerned with any aspect
of sport.
EDUCATE
Programme intended primarily to educate, of
which the formal element is fundamental.
DRAMA All radio plays and serials.
CULTURE Programmes concerned with any aspect
of national or regional culture, including
language, theatre, etc.
SCIENCE Programmes about the natural sciences
and technology.
VARIED Used for mainly speec h-based
programmes usually of light-
entertainment natur e, no t c overed by
other categories. Examples include:
quizzes, panel gam es, personalit y
interviews.
POP M Commercial music, which would
generally be considered to be of current
popular appeal, often featuring in
current or recent rec ord sales charts.
ROCK M Contemporary modern music, usually
written and per formed by young
musicians.
EASY M Current contemporary music considered
to be “easy-listening”, as opposed to
Pop, Rock or Classical, or one of the
specialised music styles, Jazz, Folk or
Country. Music in this category is often
but not always, vocal, and usually of
short duration.
LIGHT M Classical mus ic for general, rath er than
specialist appreciation. Examples of
music in this ca tegory are in strumental
music, and vocal or chora l works.
CLASSICS Performances of major orchestral works,
symphonies, chamber music, etc., and
including Grand Opera.
OTHER M Musical styles not fitting into any of
the other categories. Particularly used
for specialist music of which Rhythm &
Blues and Reggae are examples.
WEATHER Weather repo rts a nd fo recasts and
meteorological information.
FINANCE Stock Market reports, commerce,
trading, etc.
CHILDREN For pr ogrammes targeted at a young
audience, prima rily for en tertainment
and intere st, rathe r than where the
objective is to educate.
SOCIAL Programmes about people and things
that influence them i ndividually or in
groups. Includes: sociology, history,
geography, psychology and s ociety.
RELIGION Any aspect of beliefs and fai ths,
involving a Go d or Gods, the nature of
existence and ethics.
PHONE IN Involving members of the public
expressing thei r views eith er by phone
or at a public forum.
TRAVEL Features and programmes concerned
with travel to near a nd far destinatio ns,
package tours and travel ideas
and o pportunities. Not for use for
announcements about problems,
delays, or roadworks affecting
immediate travel where TP/TA should
be used.
LEISURE Programmes concerned with
recreational activities in which t he
listener might participate. Examples
include, Gardening, Fishing, A ntique
collecting, Cooking , Food & Wine, etc.
JAZZ Polyphonic, syncopated music
characterised by improvisation.
COUNTRY Songs which originate from, or continue
the mu sical tradition of the American
Southern States. Characterised by a
straightforward melody and narrative
story line.
NATION M Current Popular Music of the Nation or
Region in that country’s language, as
opposed to Inte rnational “Pop” which
is usually US or UK inspired an d in
English.
OLDIES Music from the so-called “golden age”
of popular music.
FOLK M Music which has its roots in the musical
culture of a particular nation, usually
played on acous tic instruments . The
narrative or st ory may be b ased on
historical events or peo ple.
DOCUMENT Programme concerned with factual
matters, presented in an investigative
style.
TEST Broadcast when testing emergency
broadcast equipmen t or receivers.
ALARM Emergency announcement made under
exceptional circumst ances to give
warning of events causing danger o f a
general nature.
NONE No programme type ( receive only).
TP Broadcasts which carry traffic
announcements.
TA Traffic announcements are being
broadcast.
Using the Radio Data System (RDS) (continued)