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Louisville's Day…not at the track

S

Stevens

For years, I've tuned by WHAS and Terry Meiners broadcasting live from Churchill Downs on Oaks day. Always exceptional local radio with Meiners doing a great job in capturing the color and distinct personality of that special day in Louisville.

Trouble is, it sure sounds as if this year, Meiners is tucked away back at 4000 Radio Drive. What was traditionally some great local radio, today sounds like most every other day on most every other Clear Channel talk station.

Oh…and on a day when there should be more local content than any local talk station can handle, what did dear ol' Clear Channel have Meiners talking about in the 5pm hour? Last night's IHeartRadio Awards show complete with Pitbull and Billy Ray and with a minute or two of the debut of the new Michael Jackson single.

Thanks for the big yawn, Clear Channel.
 
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I was listening earlier in the day, and heard Terry say he had been scheduled to broadcast from the track, but was having problems with his back. I'm guessing that's why he was in the studio.
 
Back issues are one thing. Content is another. Oaks Day and talking about the IHeartRadio Music show? Sure. When I want to hear what outrageous comment hip-hop Pitbull made on some generic Clear Channel awards show, WHAS is the first station I think of. Who needs Radio Now?

Yawn.
 
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They should gotten someone else at the track. That may the last iheart radio music awards. They are being sued for being to similar to somethin else.
 
Churchill Downs gave media a SERIOUS downgrade last year. For years we were in a nice media center next to Millionaire's Row with easy view of the track from right there. And it was right over the finish line. But they took over that spot, apparently for more lucrative uses.

So they stuck media in the grandstand section 322 for viewing the races, a LONG way from the finish line, and put the workstations a rather long walk away from there. They took away free beer- now media pays the same as everybody else. And I can't be sure, but it seems to me that the food isn't as good as it used to be.

So I heard a lot of complaints last year about the downgrade. And this year it just seems like not as many stations were covering the event, for some weird reason....
 
Greg, - I understand the complaints. Still, this shouldn't be about the broadcaster's comfort or lack thereof. It's about listener expectation. If they're offering less coverage, poor coverage or no coverage, they're not meeting that expectation.
 
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Stevens said:
Greg, - I understand the complaints. Still, this shouldn't be about the broadcaster's comfort or lack thereof. It's about listener expectation. If they're offering less coverage, poor coverage or no coverage, they're not meeting that expectation.
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That sounds great in theory. But the reality is that some listeners like hearing about it and for others it's a tune out. So every January when we all sit around a table and decide what we will do for Derby, our decision is based on a lot of factors.

They probably asked, "Will we be the only radio station there?" (Answer: No. Q103.1, Lite 106.9 and 1077 The Eagle were there, so it won't be exclusive to us.)
Can we sell it? Answer: Maybe. But Terry's show from 3-6 is already sold out.
Will the listeners like it?: Answer: Some will. Some won't.

"Meh. 50-50. Should we go? We can cover the races in any case.... but should we put Terry's show down there? Is it worth it?"


And I'll just tell you, that's the reality. This is my 27th Derby in Louisville radio, and EVERY year we have the discussion of whether we want to do that or not, and whether it's a benefit to the radio station or not, and you'd be surprised how many people come to the table saying from the beginning: "It's not worth it."

It's a hard week, it's expensive for the radio station, and you're never sure if that's the best way to serve your listeners or not. Maybe yes, maybe no.

So often then comes the question to the talent: "Ok Billy Bob... do you WANT to do it?"

It's naive to think the broadcaster's comfort or lack thereof doesn't factor in to that equation. It definitely does, especially when the overall decision is a close call.
 
greg.hahn said:
So every January when we all sit around a table and decide what we will do for Derby, our decision is based on a lot of factors.
Click to expand...

Never worked in Louisville radio, but I've been through that type of meeting elsewhere. I understand your point.
 
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