S
Slawdawg
Guest
Don't know why I used a hockey reference because the sport is dead. Nonetheless, 790 AM operates like the Falcons- they try REALLY hard but rarely produce results. Both organizations coddle their employees no matter how bad they perform. That said, here are my primary observations on the station:
1) 790 discourages outside callers. How else to explain hold times of 30-60 minutes while nothing of substance is on the air. One would have a pretty meaningless existence to sit on the phone that long just to be rapidly disconnected after getting one point across. Most companies would be encouraged to hear what their customers think but 790 just shoves them to the bottom of the list. I think it's the 790 attitude that their time is so much more valuable than everyone else's. Maybe one day they will realize that listeners find the call-ins a refreshing change from the constant droning of the talking heads.
2) 790 is an equal opportunity divorce cover-up station. Here's how it works: 790 on-air personality sees divorce as imminent and shortly thereafter station shakes up lineup and conveniently omits said future divorcee from any programs. I suspect this is an element of protection from the "alimony police" as 790 is the only "full-time" employer for most of these guys. Sometime after divorce is finalized, on-air personality returns to station in fighting shape. It started with Cellini, happened again with Oliver, and is currently taking place with Chernoff. Look for Chernoff to return by late Summer.
3) Cellini offers nothing. Nick reminds me of the employee that keeps his job because he has some dirt on the boss. His on-air persona is as exciting as the dewey decimal system and his life outside of the station is as boring as mine. What more can be said about a homebody that never eats anything containing fat? He conducts a decent interview but that makes up less than 5% of his on-air time. He'd be better suited to being an update guy.
4) Content anyone?..... Teaser, teaser, teaser, ad, ad, ad, teaser, teaser....... This seems to be the format for most of 790's programs. You've got to tune in for at least 30 minutes before you ever hear anything of substance. Do they think we're so stupid that we consider the Steak/Sandra jewelry ads to be content? I commend them on signing so many advertisers but without content, advertisers get no results. Give us content and we're more apt to wade through a few of the homespun ads.
5) Static after dark. When darkness sets in, 790 becomes a "Tune in Tokyo" station. I live in mid-town and have difficulty getting 790 on a quality radio after dark. This is a real problem in the Fall and Winter when darkness sets in at 5:30. How can they maintain the Hawks contract when the majority of games occur at night during these Winter months? 680 has a huge edge as I get a clear signal in the evenings. 790 cannot consider itself a major player until they get afterhour signal strength.
6) Criticism of the Stews. While the Stews are not my speed, I cannot fault 790 for running them. The Stews have a very focused and dedicated audience which is key for advertisers. They are probably the biggest profit center of all 790 programs.
7) Make station listener friendly. As referenced above, 790 seems to be an anti-listener station. They should run contests, call-in topics, etc. to get listeners more involved. Let's face it, we like to be heard which is why these message boards are so popular. There would be no shortage of callers as Mayhem has proven in their soundoff segments. If 790 moved callers to the top of the list, I guarantee more people would call in.
8) Focus segments on betting. Let's face it, many avid sports fans like to bet. It amazes me how many times I hear a stat AFTER a game is over that would have swayed me to take a particular team. 790 should run segments geared to providing those breakdown stats for the betting public before the games begin. Forget "hunches" and provide real information.
Thanks to "Temporary Name" for directing me to this site. He can knock a 7 wood 275 yards on a good day. My thoughts for now.
1) 790 discourages outside callers. How else to explain hold times of 30-60 minutes while nothing of substance is on the air. One would have a pretty meaningless existence to sit on the phone that long just to be rapidly disconnected after getting one point across. Most companies would be encouraged to hear what their customers think but 790 just shoves them to the bottom of the list. I think it's the 790 attitude that their time is so much more valuable than everyone else's. Maybe one day they will realize that listeners find the call-ins a refreshing change from the constant droning of the talking heads.
2) 790 is an equal opportunity divorce cover-up station. Here's how it works: 790 on-air personality sees divorce as imminent and shortly thereafter station shakes up lineup and conveniently omits said future divorcee from any programs. I suspect this is an element of protection from the "alimony police" as 790 is the only "full-time" employer for most of these guys. Sometime after divorce is finalized, on-air personality returns to station in fighting shape. It started with Cellini, happened again with Oliver, and is currently taking place with Chernoff. Look for Chernoff to return by late Summer.
3) Cellini offers nothing. Nick reminds me of the employee that keeps his job because he has some dirt on the boss. His on-air persona is as exciting as the dewey decimal system and his life outside of the station is as boring as mine. What more can be said about a homebody that never eats anything containing fat? He conducts a decent interview but that makes up less than 5% of his on-air time. He'd be better suited to being an update guy.
4) Content anyone?..... Teaser, teaser, teaser, ad, ad, ad, teaser, teaser....... This seems to be the format for most of 790's programs. You've got to tune in for at least 30 minutes before you ever hear anything of substance. Do they think we're so stupid that we consider the Steak/Sandra jewelry ads to be content? I commend them on signing so many advertisers but without content, advertisers get no results. Give us content and we're more apt to wade through a few of the homespun ads.
5) Static after dark. When darkness sets in, 790 becomes a "Tune in Tokyo" station. I live in mid-town and have difficulty getting 790 on a quality radio after dark. This is a real problem in the Fall and Winter when darkness sets in at 5:30. How can they maintain the Hawks contract when the majority of games occur at night during these Winter months? 680 has a huge edge as I get a clear signal in the evenings. 790 cannot consider itself a major player until they get afterhour signal strength.
6) Criticism of the Stews. While the Stews are not my speed, I cannot fault 790 for running them. The Stews have a very focused and dedicated audience which is key for advertisers. They are probably the biggest profit center of all 790 programs.
7) Make station listener friendly. As referenced above, 790 seems to be an anti-listener station. They should run contests, call-in topics, etc. to get listeners more involved. Let's face it, we like to be heard which is why these message boards are so popular. There would be no shortage of callers as Mayhem has proven in their soundoff segments. If 790 moved callers to the top of the list, I guarantee more people would call in.
8) Focus segments on betting. Let's face it, many avid sports fans like to bet. It amazes me how many times I hear a stat AFTER a game is over that would have swayed me to take a particular team. 790 should run segments geared to providing those breakdown stats for the betting public before the games begin. Forget "hunches" and provide real information.
Thanks to "Temporary Name" for directing me to this site. He can knock a 7 wood 275 yards on a good day. My thoughts for now.