Using the Radio Data System (RDS) (continued)
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 pres- |
| entation 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 |
| usually of |
| covered by other categories. Examples |
| include: quizzes, panel games, personality |
| interviews. |
POP M | Commercial music, which would generally |
| be considered to be of current popular |
| appeal, often featuring in current or recent |
| record sales charts. |
ROCK M | Contemporary modern music, usually written |
| and performed by young musicians. |
EASY M | Current contemporary music considered |
| to be |
| 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 music for general, rather than |
| specialist appreciation. Examples of music |
| in this category are instrumental music, and |
| vocal or choral works. |
CLASSICS | Performances of major orchestral works, |
| symphonies, chamber music, etc., and |
| including Grand Opera. |
OTHER M | Musical styles not fi tting into any of the other |
| categories. Particularly used for specialist |
| music of which Rhythm & Blues and Reggae |
| are examples. |
WEATHER | Weather reports and forecasts and meteoro- |
| logical information. |
FINANCE | Stock Market reports, commerce, trading, |
| etc. |
CHILDREN | For programmes targeted at a young |
| audience, primarily for entertainment and |
| interest, rather than where the objective is |
| to educate. |
SOCIAL | Programmes about people and things that |
| infl uence them individually or in groups. |
| Includes: sociology, history, geography, |
| psychology and society. |
RELIGION | Any aspect of beliefs and faiths, involving a |
| God or Gods, the nature of existence and |
| ethics. |
PHONE IN | Involving members of the public expressing |
| their views either by phone or at a public |
| forum. |
TRAVEL | Features and programmes concerned with |
| travel to near and far destinations, package |
| tours and travel ideas and opportunities. Not |
| for use for announcements about problems, |
| delays, or roadworks affecting immediate |
| travel where TP/TA should be used. |
LEISURE | Programmes concerned with recrea- |
| tional activities in which the listener might |
| participate. Examples include, Gardening, |
| Fishing, Antique collecting, Cooking, Food |
| & Wine, etc. |
JAZZ | Polyphonic, syncopated music characterised |
| by improvisation. |
COUNTRY | Songs which originate from, or continue the |
| musical tradition of the American Southern |
| States. Characterised by a straightforward |
| melody and narrative story line. |
NATION M | Current Popular Music of the Nation or Re- |
| gion in that country’s language, as opposed |
| to International “Pop” which is usually US or |
| UK inspired and in English. |
OLDIES | Music from the |
| popular music. |
FOLK M | Music which has its roots in the musical |
| culture of a particular nation, usually played |
| on acoustic instruments. The narrative or |
| story may be based on historical events or |
| people. |
DOCUMENT | Programme concerned with factual matters, |
| presented in an investigative style. |
TEST | Broadcast when testing emergency broad- |
| cast equipment or receivers. |
ALARM! | Emergency announcement made under ex- |
| ceptional circumstances to give warning of |
| events causing danger of a general nature. |
NONE | No programme type (receive only). |
TP | Broadcasts which carry traffi c announce- |
| ments. |
TA | Traffi c announcements are being broadcast. |
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