Radio show
ideas generator

Stuck for something new to do on air? Tell us about your show and we'll suggest 10 segment and topic ideas built around your music, your format and your listeners.

For example: Two hour Sunday morning soul show, one chatty host, older local audience who love requests

Radio show topics by format

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas for different kinds of show. Use the generator above for ideas built around your own.

Morning and breakfast shows

Overnight headlines in 60 seconds

A quick, friendly rundown of the news listeners slept through, before the first song.

What's on today

Local gigs, markets and events happening in your area, each with a recommendation.

Wake-up call

Call a listener who's asked to be woken up and play their song request.

Talk shows

Hot take of the week

Put a mildly controversial opinion to listeners and read out the best replies.

Ask the expert

A ten minute slot answering listener questions with a local specialist.

Then and now

Compare how a place, habit or piece of technology has changed over twenty years.

Music shows

Crate dig

Three deep cuts from one genre or year, with the story behind each record.

Cover versus original

Play both versions back to back and let listeners vote for the winner.

The first record you bought

Listeners share the first record they owned and you play the best stories.

Community and local shows

Local legend

A short profile of someone who makes your area better, in their own words.

Community noticeboard

Lost pets, club meetings and fundraisers, read out at the top of each hour.

Venue spotlight

Talk to a local venue or business owner about what's coming up.

How to find ideas for your radio show

Great shows aren't just a run of songs or a stream of chat. They have a shape. Short, recurring segments give every episode a rhythm, give your host something to build towards and give regular listeners moments to look forward to each week.

The more the generator knows about your show, the better the ideas. Mention your genre, how long the show runs, whether it's one host or a team, and who's listening. Run it a few times, keep the ideas that fit and try one or two new segments on your next show.

Related tools & resources

Need a name to go with your new format? Try the radio show name generator. For tried and tested formats, read our guide to radio segment ideas, and when you're ready to write it up, our guide to writing for radio walks you through your first script, or let the radio script generator write a first draft for you.

FAQs

How do I come up with ideas for a radio show?

Start with what makes your show different: the music, the host's personality, the audience and the time slot. Then think in segments rather than whole shows. A few short, repeatable features give every episode a shape and give listeners something to come back for. The generator above turns a description of your show into ten segment ideas you can try straight away.

What are good topics to talk about on the radio?

The best topics are ones your listeners have an opinion on or a stake in: local news and events, the music you play and the stories behind it, everyday dilemmas, and questions they can answer by message or phone. Anything that invites a reply works better than a topic you can only talk at people about.

What are some good talk show ideas?

Talk shows work well with a regular structure: a weekly debate, an expert answering listener questions, a guest interview, or a recurring theme like comparing then and now. Pick two or three formats you can repeat every week so listeners know what to expect.

Where can I find more radio show ideas?

Our guide to radio segment ideas covers sixteen tried and tested formats, from listener call-ins to music spotlights, with tips on making each one work.

Read our guide to radio segment ideas