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 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
|
|
NONE | No programme type (receive only). |
TP | Broadcasts which carry traffic |
| announcements. |
|
|
TA | Traffic announcements are being |
| broadcast. |
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