Podcast Run Of Show Template
A run of show is the minute-by-minute script behind a smooth episode. This template lays out every segment, cue, and handoff with timing so you and any co-host or producer always know what comes next.
PodcastingPDF + CSV5 sectionsfree, no paywall
What you get
- A time-coded run sheet covering intro, segments, ads, and outro
- Cue columns for music, ad reads, and transitions
- A roles and responsibilities block for multi-person shows
- Editable CSV for live use plus a branded print-ready PDF
How to use this template
- 1. Block your total runtime. Set the target episode length first, then divide it across segments so you don't discover you're 20 minutes over while recording.
- 2. Add every cue. Mark where music, ad reads, and stingers go. Cues prevent the awkward 'wait, is this where the ad goes?' moments mid-record.
- 3. Assign roles. For co-hosted or produced shows, note who drives each segment and who handles cues so there's no dead air or talking over.
- 4. Run it live. Keep the sheet open while recording and check off segments as you go to stay on pace and catch anything skipped.
Still choosing the tool you will run this in? Compare two side by side, or read how each profile is built in our review methodology.
What's inside
3 of 5 sections shown; the remaining 2 come with the free download.
What is a podcast run of show?
A run of show is the minute-by-minute running order for one episode. Each row holds a start time, the segment, who leads it, the cue for music or an ad read, and a target duration. Anyone in the session can look at it and know what happens next and how long it has.
Produced and co-hosted shows need one most, because cues have to land without anyone talking over the plan. Solo hosts use a shorter version to stop the intro from creeping and to keep ad reads in the same spot every week. Listeners cannot name that structure, but they feel it.
Run of show
One row per segment, in order. Times are cumulative so you always know where you should be.
| Time | Segment | Who leads | Cue / notes | Target duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | Intro music + welcome | Host | Fade theme under VO | 0:30 |
| 00:30 | Cold open / hook | Host | No music | 2:00 |
Why a run of show keeps episodes tight
Listeners feel structure even when they can't name it. A run of show keeps your intro from ballooning, lands ad reads at consistent points, and gives co-hosts a shared map so nobody steps on a transition.
Build it once as a reusable template and only change the segment content each week. The cues and timing become muscle memory, which is what lets a show sound polished without sounding scripted.
2 more sections and the PDF + CSV are behind the free download.
Tools that help with this
The template does the thinking; these are the products creators run it in. The full software directory has the rest.
Riverside
Riverside is a cloud-based podcast and video recording platform that records locally on each participant's device, in up to 4K video and 48kHz WAV audio.
$0/mo
Squadcast
Squadcast is a browser-based podcast recording platform that captures each participant's audio and video locally on their device, then progressively uploads separate tracks to the cloud in real time.
$0/mo
Zencastr
Zencastr is a browser-based podcast recording platform that records each participant locally and adds AI editing, hosting, and monetization.
$0/mo
Cleanfeed
Cleanfeed is a browser-based remote podcast recording platform that captures studio-quality audio through direct connections with ultra-low latency.
$0/mo
Categories to browse: Podcast Recording Software.
Frequently asked questions
What is a podcast run of show?
A run of show is the timed running order for a single episode: start time, segment, who leads, the cue, and the target duration for each block. It is the document the host, co-host, and producer all work from while recording.
What's the difference between a run of show and an episode plan?
An episode plan decides the angle and content; a run of show sequences it minute by minute with cues and timing. The plan answers 'what's this episode about,' the run of show answers 'what happens at 2:30.'
Do solo podcasters need a run of show?
It helps even solo. It keeps your intro short, places ad reads consistently, and stops episodes from drifting long. For co-hosted or produced shows it's close to essential. It's the only way to keep cues and handoffs clean.
How precise do the times need to be?
Treat them as targets, not commitments. The cumulative start times are there so you can glance down mid-interview and see whether you are five minutes behind. Being off by a minute is normal; being off by eight means cutting a segment, and the sheet tells you which one.
Does a run of show work for a live or video podcast?
It matters more there. Live shows cannot fix pacing in the edit, so the running order is the only control you have. For video, add a column for the camera or screen state in each block so the vision mix is planned rather than improvised.