bueller said:
Biased and ignorant? What an unwarrented attack, Elizabeth. I'm "biased" because I resent EMF's Clear Channeling of local radio ministries? In fact, EMF is worse than CC. CC at least leaves local content on their stations. And CC doesn't claim to be Christian and then completely dismantle a ministry built over time to replace it with generic, satellite fed programming that is not relevant to the audience the station has built. Whereas there are multiple stations for the K-love/Air 1 demo to go, there is not a single station in OK to replace what KOKF was prior to EMF's pillaging of it.
Do I think radio is free? Eh, no, I work in it. I'm well aware that it isnt. Do you conversely think that Christians should only consider the 25-44 adult female when making programming decisions? Which is practically all EMF is interested in. Do you think that Christian broadcasters should only consider those formats that bring them the most donation money so they can then buy more stations and tell people that if they dont donate, their station might go away? EMF is a non commercial Clear Channel pure and simple. Even Air 1 was diluted when it became a wider network. Christian radio goes where the money is, fact is fact. It is not purely about ministry - if it was, they would be running 91 FM as a true CHR and their successful KLove operation could help make up any small losses - then they could translate that format into Air 1 running it as true CHR and reach two separate groups of people with the Gospel.
Elizabeth, you already touch the predjudice and stereotype when you behave as though EMF's exclusive interest should be female targeted donation proved formats. You're protecting Christian radio as the prime domain of the middle class white female. Talk about an exclusive message!
EMF kills local programming. Period. I dislike non-local radio replacing good local radio. I also dislike how EMF has to monopolize the dial when theres another Christian broadcaster already doing the format they do, they either try to buy it out or overpower it with another repeater of their non-local outreach.
They killed it, I'm not kidding. They murdered it. They bought a station with local programming they could have HELPED. EMF has the resources to get 91 FM not only back on track but more successful. Air 1 could have BECOME that format, which is far better.
Bring on the polka, folk, and NPR. I find more engaging and unique about NPR music programming than Christian radio that has no relevance to the type of music anyone who isn't a housewife or a churched female actually listens to. When CHR was playing Eminem and 50 Cent what was Christian radio countering with? When Korn and Limp Bizkit and the Chili Peppers get played next to POD, where was Christian radio? There's a truism that Christian music goes behind secular music by at least 2 years, but I hold that in the areas of rhythmic, rock, urban and dance, Christian RADIO is at least ten years behind!
You tire quickly of it because it's true and it stings. Truth hurts. Christian radio is after money in the illusion of ministry because true ministry is happy with starting at break even and preserving outreaches, not destroying them. EMF abandoned the urban and rock culture of Oklahoma City. Nothing on 90.9 is even local anymore. You seriously call that an improvement in their ministry, Elizabeth? How do you defend EMF's removal of local content from KOKF?
"build your own station?" excuse me but your beloved EMF is right in there with CC and others, driving up the prices, buying up CPs, building translators.
Elizabeth, how about you defend the "Christian" organizations who stood against LPFM while cluttering the dial with satellators? How about you defend the removal of local content from dozens of frequencies to repeat networks out of Twin Falls, Pensacola, Tupelo, and California? How about you explain to a 21 year old african american male or a 16 year old raver in OKC how a steady diet of Air1's narrow Hot AC playlist is EMF's "outreach" to them.
You can't.
Bueller
I can defend it.
EMF's KLOVE most certainly ought to be targeting that demo.
They are an AC format radio station. Any targeting done outside that demo would be totally ill advised. If they were a rock format, I would expect their target to be different, but they aren't. They are AC.
Your post remains ignorant, simply because
it ignores basic radio strategies, and replaces it with an idealistic philosophy of how "Christian" radio ought to be.
It is not EMF's responsibility to provide a market with a specific format. They are not required to replace the format of the station they buy. Period. They are resposible to follow FFC's rules and regulations as it pertains to the frequency they purchase and they are required to follow their own vision statement as it pertains to what their donors expect. That is it. To expect more from them because of the style of music chosen for their format is ignorant. Now, if you can post a grievance that they have either ignored the FCC requirement or that they have ignored the expectation of their own company vision...then it's worth the challenge...but not now.
No ministry is as pure as snow as you imply it ought to be. And every single ministry considers the donor base. Every single ministry is concerned with money. There is not one example of a ministry that isn't. Not one. And that is because money is
not in direct contrast with ministry.
There is also nothing wrong with competition in this format. In fact, it breeds success. If a local station can't keep it's listeners or donors because there is another game in town...then it ought to consider it's strategy and do what is necessary...or perhaps it will sell...
And if a station sells, don't blame the buyer. If a format switch takes place when a station is sold, the station selling is the station that did the abandoning. Because that is the station that was responsible to their listeners. The new station is only responsible to the audience it gains once it flips. That is true with all stations, all formats, all markets.
I don't tire of it because "it is the truth and truth hurts". I tire of it because it is faulty idealism and personal preference being applied to a format. And while you may very well be passionate about what you want on the dial, that doesn't make your preference the best. It doesn't make a different preference wrong or less "Christian".
Finally.. the comparison of any station to Clear Channel isn't necessarily negative. Clear Channel owns some of the most successful stations coast to coast. And they employee some of the best broadcasters.
You make assumptions that if EMF was truly a ministry they would do the things you think they should do. But your suggestions, in my opinion, are totally flawed and actually would be worse for the market and EMF.
My suggestion remains...if you want to program a station and reach a certain audience in a particular market, buy yourself a frequency, employ a staff, and get started.
But until you have done that...it
is ignorant to tell another who has they did it all wrong.
Elizabeth
