After my failed attempt with WOW Factor (regarding very poor music quality) I switched back to my go-to Oldies outlet (92.7) and quickly discovered they are now running stopsets of 6 (or so) commercials. I was hoping this wouldn't happen to the Goldmine but apparently they are implementing the normal commercial load. Ah well, it was a good dream while it lasted. Time to break out the memory stick.
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Speaking of Commercials
- Thread starter landtuna
- Start date
Ah, the good ol days of Gumpdusky ownership when Lumberyard 14~Forty rarely stopped for a commercial. And many times, those stopsets contained only one sponsored PSA ".. Fred's locksmith shop and taqueria in Tolleson reminds you not to drive with your eyes closed, and to obey the posted speed limit". That was followed by a jingle, then back to another 14 in a row. Mother Hubbard figured out a way to monetize the Gold Mine and things have never been the same.
How do you expect them to pay the bills and stay around?
The FCC calls it "AM Revitalization." Isn't everyone happy?
I don't object to commercials per se. I fully understand how radio works in that regard. I was just hoping they could find a way to to do so in a more humane manner. A six-commercial stop set is an automatic deal breaker for me.
But speaking of commercials. Anyone who liked the movie "E.T." (or their kids or grandparents) should give a look at a 4.5 minute commercial now being aired and streamed. The link is xfinity.com/ET It is well worth a look (and bring the kids and grandparents).
And how do you suggest they do it in a more humane manner? if they did shorter commercial breaks more often, youd still complain there was too many commercials... youd say they were playing em too often
want them to raise rates? lol good luck
What I know is when you serve up a lengthy stop set you are very likely to lose a listener. Sometimes for a song. Sometimes for a longer period. Sometimes forever. I don't listen to stations that blast me with commercials. There are too many options and I don't have to put up with that. The Goldmine is not a hobby station so I assume they were making money before. Perhaps advertising supported radio is an obsolete business model. I don't know why they changed and I don't care. If they keep it up I will be gone, forever.
What money was made came from time brokerage, not spinning Kookie oldies - and it wasn't much. But KDKB, KUPD and KSLX generated more than enough cash flow to prop up the Gold Mine. Gumpdusky was so cheap they limped along with an ancient transmitter that couldn't go down to 52 watts at night. When bailing wire and chewing gum became cost prohibitive, they broke down and bought a new Nautel.
YIKES!
What drives me to punch the "CD/Aux" button is when Every.Station.In.Town is running stopsets simultaneously. Usually I don't go back. Besides, I'm 69...according to Mr. Eduardo, the commercials are wasted on me anyway, right?
It's not the quantity of commercials, but more like the quality of the commercials. If I hear "License two four, zero six nine three" again, I'll tell everyone never to use Alaskan A/C. Plus, those Big Tobacco ads with the long warning are a big turnoff too.
But if anyone at 1580 The Fanatic is reading this board, FIRE your per-inquiry agency, and FAST! If I hear another tearing paper sound or an annoying voiceover talking about SR-22 auto insurance, I'm going to throw the radio out the window!
But if anyone at 1580 The Fanatic is reading this board, FIRE your per-inquiry agency, and FAST! If I hear another tearing paper sound or an annoying voiceover talking about SR-22 auto insurance, I'm going to throw the radio out the window!
There are some legal requirements to include license informaiton for some professions in ads and some car dealers have to include certain things to. don't get mad at the station
as well, The per inquiry ads wouldnt run if they didnt work
I'm not upset over that. I'm upset that Alaskan A/C turned the license information into an annoying jingle.
The per-inquiry ads on 1580 DON'T work. They just run them instead of PSA's because it sounds like they have more paying advertisers than they do (the average listener doesn't know how PI spots work).
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Yeah, I followed Goldmine's issues pretty closely over that time and I also understand (without knowing lots of details) they were pretty underfunded. And I don't blame them for trying to increase their revenue - I would do the same. It's a tightrope though. Too much time away from the music and you piss off the listener. Blast the listener with objectionable commercials (think of the machine gun shouting car commercials) and you might lose them sooner. There should be a happy (or maybe not-so-happy) middle ground that makes money but doesn't risk losing your audience.
BTW, I would have gladly made a trip up to the opulent transmitter shack to show them how to reduce their transmitter's RF output. It's a Navy trade secret but I can share that it involves a tuning coil and standing waves. If you are really good you can set up a grill next to the coil and host the station's BBQ (only during nighttime power reduction though). It will void any warranty you might have unfortunately and there can be smoke.
Yeah....me too. I didn't feel good about mentioning that to the sales staff so I kept my mouth shut. It's kind of like giving advice to your grandfather. He may be listening but you know it will be ignored.
But the "sweet" smell of resistor and tantalum capacitor smoke would make those burgers and brats taste delicious.
SR-22's eh? So they are going after the mature, stable deep pockets customers?
Seriously though, content can override objections to an otherwise unwanted commercial. Remember Lou Grubb's Chevy commercials? Smooth and informative. I didn't mind listening to them even though I would have never been a customer of his (have no use for GM products). Much better than being shouted at by cheesy carnival barkers.
But the "sweet" smell of resistor and tantalum capacitor smoke would make those burgers and brats taste delicious.
It's a spice you just can't find at your neighborhood Fry's. Plus, your guests won't hang around too long.
Here's where a TV commercial has it over radio. All that very fine "print" at the bottom of the TV screen that you not only do not have time to read but the text is so small you couldn't read it if you had all afternoon.
And did I add that today is December 8th so we should not be seeing any more of those millions of health care ads that have been running like it was campaign season. Oh crap! That is just weeks away now. I think I will let my earwax build up for the next 11 months.
Mother Hubbard's expenses for running two 5 kW Ancient Modulation transmitters that are automated most of the day and lower power at night can't be that great, at least when compared to what it takes to operate three 100 kW FM stations on South Mountain.
Electric bills, music licensing and whatever fees that the sports networks and NAU charge for rights, salaries for Steve Goddard and Bob Kemp, plus transmitter/tower maintenance and other miscellaneous expenses. Unless the FMs aren't making much either (somehow I doubt that), I thought that their profits were used to cover at least some of the AM expenses, with just enough ads on the AMs to care of the rest.
Aw, c'mon! Tex Earnhardt is in his 90s now. His barking days are over. Besides, we know you really miss the good old days of Howi-i-i-i-i-i-e World and J.J, ze Ke-e-e-e-e-eng of Beepers.
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