Wednesday, 14 April 2021

*initiating Obit mode*

If you work in media, you probably had a busier than expected day on Friday (9th April).

Buckingham Palace announced the Duke of Edinburgh’s death at midday.

For radio, it was time to activate the practiced "Obit" procedure.

This was once a strictly defined protocol for the death of a "category one" royal (which Prince Philip isn't), but there’s no longer any regulatory obligation for stations to follow this.

Here’s Radio Authority guidance published in 2002:

While not required to, stations will adjust the tone of their output so as not to be seen as disrespectful or perhaps, depending on the event/circumstances, to genuinely reflect the mood of their audience.

In previous generations (it could be argued a more royalist era) and no digital media, analogue radio/TV could more effectively influence the national psyche because consumers would have nowhere else to go.

These days, as the weekend’s viewing figures have shown, a sizable chunk of audiences will desert their preferred media, hijacked by blanket coverage, in pursuit of things that actually interests them.

Another, honest and valid, point to make is that Prince Philip is not The Queen whose death will spark a more widespread emotional response.

Radio's Operation Forth Bridge

Unlike its infamous mishap in 2002 after The Queen Mother’s death was announced, IRN triggered the 'Major Story Alarm' (literally) just after midday on Friday.

Traditionally, in the days before text/email alerts, this was the most efficient way to alert ILR stations to a significant breaking news story such as a royal death or attack/disaster involving large loss of life.

Upon seeing the light flash in studios and newsrooms, jocks or journalists on duty would pre-fade the primary satellite feed awaiting details of additional and extended bulletins.

These days, clients just receive a text and email from the news provider with this information including the time to opt in for a clockstart announcement.

IRN/Sky broke the news of Prince Philip's death in a special 12:30 bulletin carried by many community and hospital stations that rely on the service.

Most commercial operators had their own news teams on duty at the time, although Bauer’s Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio networks took the live IRN announcement before simulcasting output and producing national bulletins in-house throughout the afternoon.

The two networks split after 4pm with Simon Mayo continuing on Greatest Hits Radio.

Global was quick off the mark with James O’Brien interrupting a caller, not because of his political view for once, but to break the news to LBC listeners shortly after midday.

The seven music networks all threw to a special pre-recorded bulletin (allowing greater flexibility for a smooth segue) anchored by Tim John with a pre-prepared package from Simon Conway before launching into their beautifully programmed Obit playlists and half-hourly news updates, dropping ads and jingles for much of the day but with bespoke "marking the death of Prince Philip" sweepers. All brand spin-offs simulcast the flagship station.

All BBC stations, some abruptly, interrupted normal programming for a breaking news announcement superbly delivered by Tom Sandars.

They continued with a Radio 4 special, presented by Evan Davis and Mishal Husain, for much of the afternoon before splitting off but remained sombre for some time.

Radio 1 initially played instrumentals before continuing with a softer sound for much of the weekend but allowing for regular programmes.

Over the weekend, Radio 2 made a few schedule changes and continued in Obit mode throughout - 6 Music and Asian Network adopted a similar approach and even joined Local Radio in simulcasting 5 Live overnight.

While commercial radio had largely resumed format by Saturday lunchtime, being a public broadcaster, the BBC has to tread particularly carefully.

On a personal level, with no morning engagements, I didn’t have an alarm set and woke up at midday expecting a quiet Friday.

As part of my first thing scroll through the headlines, I remember seeing a BBC News article which had been live 50 seconds ago at the time, hurriedly dialled into our playout system (which, of all the songs it could've been, was playing "Happy" at the time) and flipped to Obit mode.

Shortly afterwards, Radio News Hub broke the news to Shine Radio listeners and bulletins aired every quarter hour before dropping to half-hourly later in the day.

Props to the national team for providing an efficient service throughout the day, and to fellow Shine Radio volunteers who speedily got us a local angle.

Entering Obit is one thing, but transitioning out is quite the task - gradually increasing the tempo and reintroducing much loved features while exercising caution over potentially distasteful ads or songs.

The degree to which regular programming should be interrupted is determined by the individual - their level of seniority, a particular fondness they enjoyed etc - and the circumstances that led to their death.

For example, the hugely popular Princess Diana was a horrible shock - and, taking into account both factors, any feeling of sorrow will take longer to shift after The Queen has died (particularly for older audiences) than it did on Friday for Prince Philip.

I think it’s important to weigh up any sadness with the frustration or mental health effects among listeners of losing the familiar feel of their chosen listen.

Similarly, as COVID has shown, presenters have an important role to play in providing companionship and reassurance. In fact, for those who aren't too keen on the solemn music, they are the primary reason for leaving the radio on.

Stations also adjust the tone of their output following any major national or international tragedy.

At HHR, after the horrific Manchester Arena attack, we thoroughly checked and made changes to the following day's logs and suspended features as a mark of respect and to reflect the mood of listeners.

Audio of Radio 1 Dance abruptly joining the network announcement mid-national anthem has gone viral.

As a relatively new online-only service, it seems to have been missed by the override of all BBC stations.

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