Voicetracking is a common and popular way to expand your marketability. Although there is nothing better than hosting a live radio show, many stations feature voicetracked shows produced and hosted by out of market jocks. The reality in the radio industry is the same as many other industries. Everybody is being forced to do more with less. In this current cost conscience business model many stations are utilizing pre-recorded shows throughout their programming schedule.
Jeff Hurley the Program and Digital Content Director at WLAN/Lancaster said,
"We’re time-strapped and cost-conscious, with fewer people with more hats and bigger challenges. In this environment, out-of-market voicetracking has become a necessary tool of almost every radio station. It’s not a matter of IF you’ll track some dayparts, but WHEN. Even major markets have out-of-market talent holding down crucial slots. "
The truth of the matter is that it is more cost effective and efficient to hire jocks locally and even out of market to to voicetrack a good portion of any stations daily programming. Pre-recorded programming offers several benefits that live programming does not. Firstly, it is cheaper to put a pre-recorded show in a playlist. When a show is pre-recorded it can be edited down to the exact time needed. mp3s can be emailed as attachments anywhere in the world for free, which allows a station to get whatever kind of sound, feel, or variety they are looking for.
Voicetracking is not only good for radio stations, it's got it's benefits for staffers as well. Many jocks can now easily market themselves in multiple markets anywhere. Jeff Hurley contracts with "out-of-market jocks in middays and nights. I’m also beaming my shows across the network as a night talent for KISS 107 in Cincinnati, and the morning host on Gen-X 106.1 in Tulsa, OK." With e-mail and the social media phenomenon jocks who voicetrack out of market can even post pertinent comments and updates as the show progresses giving listeners the impression that the show is in fact live. With the rise of satellite, HD, and internet radio stations the trend of voicetracking continues to prove its worth and rise in popularity.