Westwood One adds new 24/7 Good Time Oldies format to replace Scott Shannon's TOC

[Tibbs4]

One thing that needs to be figured out on here is which format we are talking about. This board is about the *ldies/classic hits format. I truly think the entire format has been derailed, as have the talking points of listeners over the age of 50 being of no value to advertisers because they don't buy anything new or spend any money on anything except ass pills. I see it EVERYDAY. I see millions of dollars transacted each year by the very people who don't matter to ad buyers. I also call bogus on the fact that "our generation" listens to radio (passively) like some of the generational decades under us. Our generation wants to feel connected to a local RADIO station. Not a jukebox off a satellite. That doesn't mean there is no place for Pandora or Sirius/ZZZZM. Quite the opposite is true. BUT, this particular format just works best when it doesn't sound vanilla and bland. Listeners like to hear tidbits about what was going on during the years when the songs on the playlist were actually on the charts. They also like to hear about what the group or artists are doing today, if they are still around or performing, etc. They like humor and information. There is a certainly a limit to interference and to much chatter, but overall, this format probably can handle more times at the mike than most. It doesn't mean the air personality should act like the listeners are still 16, though. I think the worst move stations are making is being too conservative on the entire package and playing it too safe. Doesn't mean it has to be abusive or like nails on a chalkboard. Add a little life, light hearted humor and heart and soul and the local market will respond with better revenues and listenership. I won't even try to get into the playlist on here. We all have seen many examples of very boring, nearly lifeless CH formats. You DO still have to compete against EVERY station in the market, regardless of format or demographic.

 

[davideduardo]

That sounds like some sort of authoritative pronouncement from one of the gods atop Mount Radio. Based on what I can hear with my own two ears, that statement makes no sense.

Strange. I work every day on aspects of talent as part of overall programming.

I think you are so focused on one format or one genre and your personal song choices within that area that you don't see what radio is doing across the entire spectrum of formats.

No, your mistake is to think that when someone is in a mood to hear a particular type of music, he'll have a choice between two stations with the exact same format, and he'll make his selection based on the DJ. If the DJ is a factor, it's so far down the list of importance as to be too negligible to mention.

Your mistake is to think that listeners intellectualize and analyze listening decisions. When they are in the mood for a particular kind of music they go to the station that makes them feel the best and that lives up to their expectations. The jock is part of that overall flavor, as is the music, the blend, the flow, the feel of the station.

Some are music-based, some aren't. I said that the hosts might make a difference, in situations "where comedy skits and other non-music content dominate the show." If it is a morning show that is music-based, rather than dominated by comedy skits and other non-music content, then that's not what I was talking about, was it?

Morning zoos, by definition are music based with topical or comedic bits interspersed.

 

[Tibbs4]

Wait a second, Mt. David. Did you basically mean to say that not all listeners are obsessed with their myopic, narrow, self absorbed version of what a perfect radio station, that only caters to them, should be programming or serving up? I was under the impression that radio was not about taking or involving a village. Has something changed?

 

[davideduardo]

Wait a second, Mt. David. Did you basically mean to say that not all listeners are obsessed with their myopic, narrow, self absorbed version of what a perfect radio station, that only caters to them, should be programming or serving up? I was under the impression that radio was not about taking or involving a village. Has something changed?

 

[Avid Listener]

Doncha just love it when someone mischaracterizes what someone they disagree with says in such a grossly overblown and inaccurate manner as to make it appear that the view one disagrees with is undefendable?

It says a lot about a position when the only way those who disagree with it can attempt to refute it is by totally misrepresenting it. It's so much easier to succeed at convincing others that your point of view is correct when you turn the opposing point of view into some sort of straw man, isn't it?

 

[Lori Pollitt]

Westwood One GOOD TIME OLDIES with JIM ZIPPO, JOHN SUMMERS AND KEVAN BROWNING. More demos to come...check this one out for now!
—
http://youtu.be/8_MV2_SBCuU

 

[Avid Listener]

Strange. I work every day on aspects of talent as part of overall programming.

I've been reading your online resume, which is very impressive. But it does lead me to wonder if your recent experience with how DJs fit into the overall appeal of a radio station might not be directly applicable from The Recuerdo radio network or Servicio de Información Programativa to English language programming? Are cultural biases not a factor in marketing or consumer appeal?

 

[davideduardo]

I've been reading your online resume, which is very impressive. But it does lead me to wonder if your recent experience with how DJs fit into the overall appeal of a radio station might not be directly applicable from The Recuerdo radio network or Servicio de Información Programativa to English language programming? Are cultural biases not a factor in marketing or consumer appeal?

I'm involved with far more than that (the résumé is really out of date anyway). Including some CHR and contemporary launches in larger markets that are very recent.

But, in general I'll answer with an anecdote. A few years back I was called by the owners of what was to be a new FM in Karachi. They wanted someone to help set up the station. I responded that I was not immersed in the culture of Pakistan, directly familiar with the religious aspects of the culture that affect radio, and did not speak the language. The owner replied, "We know all that stuff. What we need is someone who knows radio".

There are definitely cultural aspects that affect content, but it is amazing how little the actual structure of radio changes around the world. As long as the talent relates to the specific lifestyle of the listener group principally drawn to the station by the music, you have a good start. Another anecdote: about 30 years ago I was asked to defend an established station in a country where I had never previously visited against a new competitor... I met with a cultural anthropologist / sociologist at the University and, based on that, hired a morning crew and designed a morning show that has been #1 for all of those 30 years. Again, it was mostly good radio with the right structure and concept designed for the target audience.

That's why today, the disk jockey who talks is sometimes replaced by the DJ who spins. The skill of combining songs non-stop is more important than the skill of talking up each song to one audience group. And that group will reject conventional jocks. It's about adapting the target audiences needs to the ability of the radio station to present music in a manner that the target enjoys more than the next station or new media choice.

 

[firepoint525]

Doncha just love it when someone mischaracterizes what someone they disagree with says in such a grossly overblown and inaccurate manner as to make it appear that the view one disagrees with is undefendable?
It says a lot about a position when the only way those who disagree with it can attempt to refute it is by totally misrepresenting it. It's so much easier to succeed at convincing others that your point of view is correct when you turn the opposing point of view into some sort of straw man, isn't it?

That has happened to me quite a bit lately. They love to "cherry-pick" what they like out of whatever I post (usually by taking it completely out of context), and then totally and completely ignoring the rest. And I have pointed this out to them several times as well.

 

[R_F_Burns]

That has happened to me quite a bit lately. They love to "cherry-pick" what they like out of whatever I post (usually by taking it completely out of context), and then totally and completely ignoring the rest. And I have pointed this out to them several times as well.

And they will always revert to "You don't know what you are talking about" no matter how many times we show them that they are wrong.

 

[Avid Listener]

And they will always revert to "You don't know what you are talking about" no matter how many times we show them that they are wrong.

I can't recall anyone in here ever "showing" anyone they were wrong. All I've seen are the usual, "I'm an expert (even though you don't know who I am or where I work), so you have to accept my word as holy writ."

 

[TheBigA]

I can't recall anyone in here ever "showing" anyone they were wrong. All I've seen are the usual, "I'm an expert (even though you don't know who I am or where I work), so you have to accept my word as holy writ."

And yet we have someone whose resume you've seen, and you refuse to accept the ratings facts he presents and the personal experiences he has had.

So even when you know who he is and where he works, it really doesn't matter.

 

[Avid Listener]

And yet we have someone whose resume you've seen, and you refuse to accept the ratings facts he presents and the personal experiences he has had.

So even when you know who he is and where he works, it really doesn't matter.

We have someone whose resume I found online who came out and said it wasn't right.

I believe it was Abe Lincoln who said, "Not everything on the internet is correct". I read that on the internet.

 

[Tibbs4]

I'm not sure if I have ever cherry picked your posts, Fire! I think I have PBR'd them in the past. In all seriousness, these posts have so many different points going at once, it is hard to discuss every exact point.

 

[Tibbs4]

RF - what are "they" wrong about, exactly in your opinion? It might lead to a fruitful discussion if you mention some exact talking points. No matter what, we all have to admit this is probably the most active debate on these boards.

 

[davideduardo]

We have someone whose resume I found online who came out and said it wasn't right.

I believe it was Abe Lincoln who said, "Not everything on the internet is correct". I read that on the internet.

Wow. You are the master of reading something entirely different into a simple statement.

I said the résumé was out of date, not wrong. In other words, it reflects, quite correctly, everything up to a few years ago since which time I have not updated it due to general sloth and lack of time.

 

[TheBigA]

We have someone whose resume I found online who came out and said it wasn't right.

Still, my point is that even when you know who the person is and where he has worked, it still doesn't matter.

 

[Avid Listener]

Still, my point is that even when you know who the person is and where he has worked, it still doesn't matter.

I know that much of his experience was outside the United States, in lands with different cultures, and only have his word that cultural differences don't matter. That latter allegation is totally at variance with what most other reliable, authoritative sources say about different cultures.

I also don't know who you are. Neither do I care who you are.

 

[TheBigA]

I also don't know who you are. Neither do I care who you are.

Which is why I never post biographical data. It wouldn't matter if I was the reincarnated Bill Paley.

 

[Lori Pollitt]

Wow. You are the master of reading something entirely different into a simple statement.

I said the résumé was out of date, not wrong. In other words, it reflects, quite correctly, everything up to a few years ago since which time I have not updated it due to general sloth and lack of time.

David, I don't know about you, but I am ready to move on from this thread. Everyone (and I'm speaking of primarily of the "insiders") know of your impressive reputation and the great, informative contribution you make to this overall site, in all categories.

This other dialog is simply childish.