Descriptions of the PTY (Programme Type) codes

Using the Radio Data System (RDS) (continued)

Descriptions of the PTY (Programme Type) codes

You can search for and receive the following PTY 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

speech-based

 

programmes

usually

of

light-

 

entertainment nature, not 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 “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 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 fitting 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

 

meteorological 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 influence 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

 

recreational 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

 

Region in that country's language, as

 

opposed to International “Pop” which is

 

usually US or UK inspired and 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 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

 

broadcast equipment or receivers.

 

 

 

ALARM

Emergency announcement made under

 

exceptional

circumstances

 

to

give

 

warning of events causing danger of a

 

general nature.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sharp XL-DAB151PH(BK) Using the Radio Data System RDS continued, Descriptions of the PTY Programme Type codes