A radio format, programming format (not to be confused with broadcast programming), or specialist station (British English) describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. The radio format emerged mainly in the United States in the 1950s, at a time when radio was compelled to develop new and exclusive ways to programming by competition with television. The formula has since spread as a reference for commercial radio programming worldwide. including temporary changes called "stunting."
Except for talk radio or sports radio formats, most programming formats are based on commercial music. the most popular musical genre of the period in the United States and which held the first successful radio format called Top-40. In reality, the Top-40 format was conscientiously prepared to attract the young audience, who was the main consumer of the records sold by the American record industry at that time. although the number of records in a playlist really depends on the format.