b. Block programming: is the programming format currently predominating in most radio stations. Martí (2004: 31) lists the reasons for the emergence of this programming format in the 1960s: the competition from television as a medium of entertainment, the crisis of economic resources as a result of the decline in advertising investment, and the application of the marketing techniques in order to achieve maximum audience shares, etc. Thus, continues Martí, the application of the principles of maximum efficiency of audience and the production costs
lead to the fact that, once the segments of programming are determined, these are covered with one or two programmes maximum. This programming format manages to: 1) reduce production costs by reducing the number of programmes and 2) increase audience loyalty thanks to the dragging effect of the long-lasting programmes. This style of programming gives rise to a great radio genre called magazine (container programme), which accommodates all kinds of genres, blocks and/or sections.