91FM KOKF C-CHR flips to Air1

[MyCatKnight]

USE YOUR PAIN...

... for something positive. Seek out that other station, signal, brokering source, or alternative media to further your vision (overnights or Sunday morning radio, or public access TV, anyone?). Preferably w/o blaming the new kids on the block for serving a different mission, whether or not they're perfect. If you're so willing to continue the cause, then are you willing to stoop so low as to volunteer DJ'ing skate nights w/ music from the artists who'll be missed? Will you beg these acts to come to town & play concerts? Can you be creative, & maybe make something like a grassroots, coffeehouse movement grow into something great? As someone who bled for both Christian & secular stations that "flipped the format switch," I sympathize w/ you. But once the initial venting was done & reality set in, I had to pray what to do next... and invariably, God opened up other opportunies.

Now crank up the Kry's "Take My Hand" w/ me, be grateful for what you had, & move forward. Lest you wallow like friends of mine who still live in the ever-rosier past, while missing out on the next chapter of the adventure written for them.

Peace. 8)

 

[joshzz]

Dear Friends,

Like many of you I am terribly distrsssed when companies like the Educational Media Foundation (K-LOVE), and others should be limited when to gobble up independent Christian stations.

The BIG problem is that they offer nothing local whatsoever. They're not involved with the local churches, schools or anything.. They do nothing whatsoever to grow their ministries by reaching out to the local communities.

Last week I ran an ad in R&R that started with "Don't Sell Your Station to K-LOVE". The purpose of the ad was to encourage troubled radio ministries to give us a call and invite them to seel their station(s) to independent groups like us looking to expand localism .

Presently we run an LPFM in New Jersey. We have found that the greatest fruit is in reaching the local communities with local programming. Our high school sports coverage is very popular with the local region. It is an area of programming that we plan to expand tremendously as we grow financially. We also broadcast local church sermons which is a great way to get non-church goers to hear the word and to encourage them to attend a church (our participating churches are seeing good results).

We also co-sponsored a major concert that benefited the poor living in South Jersey.

AND we're winning hearts for Jesus. Will your typical non-Christian tune into K-LOVE or AIR1... No way, but they wil tune into "LIFT FM, South Jersey's Hit Music Station", a station that involved in people's lives.

http://www.lift985.com

The purpose of this was not to boast but to acknowledge that local Christian radio is a 1000 times more beneficial to local communities that aloof giants like K-LOVE. Within the last week or so, K-LOVE bought a local Christian station in our area, WSJI for 2.5 million dollars. ......... It's truly a tragedy as WSJI, though it ran a satellite feed often, did run some impressive local programming.........

The point is, local is always better. :-X

 

[radioelizabeth]

Dear Friends,

Like many of you I am terribly distrsssed when companies like the Educational Media Foundation (K-LOVE), and others should be limited when to gobble up independent Christian stations.

The BIG problem is that they offer nothing local whatsoever. They're not involved with the local churches, schools or anything.. They do nothing whatsoever to grow their ministries by reaching out to the local communities.

Last week I ran an ad in R&R that started with "Don't Sell Your Station to K-LOVE". The purpose of the ad was to encourage troubled radio ministries to give us a call and invite them to seel their station(s) to independent groups like us looking to expand localism .

Presently we run an LPFM in New Jersey. We have found that the greatest fruit is in reaching the local communities with local programming. Our high school sports coverage is very popular with the local region. It is an area of programming that we plan to expand tremendously as we grow financially. We also broadcast local church sermons which is a great way to get non-church goers to hear the word and to encourage them to attend a church (our participating churches are seeing good results).

We also co-sponsored a major concert that benefited the poor living in South Jersey.

AND we're winning hearts for Jesus. Will your typical non-Christian tune into K-LOVE or AIR1... No way, but they wil tune into "LIFT FM, South Jersey's Hit Music Station", a station that involved in people's lives.

http://www.lift985.com

The purpose of this was not to boast but to acknowledge that local Christian radio is a 1000 times more beneficial to local communities that aloof giants like K-LOVE. Within the last week or so, K-LOVE bought a local Christian station in our area, WSJI for 2.5 million dollars. ......... It's truly a tragedy as WSJI, though it ran a satellite feed often, did run some impressive local programming.........

The point is, local is always better. :-X

Josh,

While I can respect your ministry...

There are a few points I'd like to mention as well...

1000 times more beneficial...I'd like to see the stats on that. (that was a joke, I know you won't be able to provide them)

People do tune into KLOVE. Christians and non Christian alike.

Compelling beats local. Anyday.

 

[audiophile.]

Compelling beats local. Anyday.

Compelling AND local beats compelling anyday. ;D

 

[neutralobserver]

What's "compelling?"

It seems to have its root in "compel," which means "to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly; to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure."

Aside from maybe Rush, I've never been able to come across any radio content that is truly "compelling." It seems silly to use the word. It's, perhaps, a great goal, but I think the best we can typically hope for is to be of value, enough value to cause people to be willing to exchange time and attention for your content. At the practical level, that means working to be "entertaining" and/or "informative."

Nothing new, here. I just think the industry is greatly overusing the word and want to see a little reality reintroduced.

 

[duke_fan]

I think everyone is going to have a different perspective on what's "compelling" and what's not. As well as the issue of local vs. national. That's what makes these things (forums) so beneficial. If used properly we can all grow and see other perspective besides our own.

Naturally, someone who is involved with a local radio station is going to see the great value in the service and ministry they are offering. On the flip side someone who works with a national network is going to see the great benefits of what they are offering. I know that I am one of the first to write off what EMF is doing, but I also know that they are reaching people. So I would say that they are offering something that is "compelling." I've learned this through reading/hearing other people's comments that work with national networks or voicetrack for other station's outside their listening area.

I would also argue that there is huge value is offering local compelling issues as well. The point is that I would love for us to come together as a whole since in the end we are all in Christian radio for the same purpose... at least I hope we are. Don't get me wrong, I know that conflict can be a great thing. It's a tool for growth, but I just want to make sure that we don't lose sight of the end prize.

 

[brian.marchand]

Josh, You have got to be kidding me. I would hate to here local sermons and high school football games. I would just want to here music with professional announcers. Where they are does not matter to me. It is all the same music. IF local means high school sports and more sermons I will take K-Love. I will take K-Love a 1000 times more. I wish people like you would stop putting EMF down. You make me mad. I am glad EMF bought WSJI and wish them well. K-Love is better than the skylight network they will replace. And it would be all music. So it will be a better station for me. You have no right to come on here talking bad about EMF. Putting an ad against EMF on R& R is wrong also.

 

[radioelizabeth]

What's "compelling?"

It seems to have its root in "compel," which means "to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly; to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure."

Aside from maybe Rush, I've never been able to come across any radio content that is truly "compelling." It seems silly to use the word. It's, perhaps, a great goal, but I think the best we can typically hope for is to be of value, enough value to cause people to be willing to exchange time and attention for your content. At the practical level, that means working to be "entertaining" and/or "informative."

Nothing new, here. I just think the industry is greatly overusing the word and want to see a little reality reintroduced.

Are you having one of your "let's talk semantics" days?

First of all, giving a listener the time and temperature and traffic might be informative.
giving them some tidbits to take to the water cooler might entertain them.
but saying/doing something that keeps them from scanning elsewhere for either of those things is the goal.


To compel them to listen...

for what is next
for what is coming

If all you think this format ought to strive to be is entertaining and informative, then yes...that is all you will ever hope to get.

And yes... compelling local should never be discounted. but most importanly... local or national...it is what is on the mind of your listener at that place and time.

 

[radioelizabeth]

Putting an ad against EMF on R& R is wrong also.

I'll have to say....

It was a pretty bold way to insult a company publically.

Seems to me an ad that began with that might catch my attention....but would lose points for the tactic taken.

 

[smashedcd]

Dear Friends,

Like many of you I am terribly distrsssed when companies like the Educational Media Foundation (K-LOVE), and others should be limited when to gobble up independent Christian stations.

The BIG problem is that they offer nothing local whatsoever. They're not involved with the local churches, schools or anything.. They do nothing whatsoever to grow their ministries by reaching out to the local communities.

Last week I ran an ad in R&R that started with "Don't Sell Your Station to K-LOVE". The purpose of the ad was to encourage troubled radio ministries to give us a call and invite them to seel their station(s) to independent groups like us looking to expand localism .

Presently we run an LPFM in New Jersey. We have found that the greatest fruit is in reaching the local communities with local programming. Our high school sports coverage is very popular with the local region. It is an area of programming that we plan to expand tremendously as we grow financially. We also broadcast local church sermons which is a great way to get non-church goers to hear the word and to encourage them to attend a church (our participating churches are seeing good results).

We also co-sponsored a major concert that benefited the poor living in South Jersey.

AND we're winning hearts for Jesus. Will your typical non-Christian tune into K-LOVE or AIR1... No way, but they wil tune into "LIFT FM, South Jersey's Hit Music Station", a station that involved in people's lives.

http://www.lift985.com

The purpose of this was not to boast but to acknowledge that local Christian radio is a 1000 times more beneficial to local communities that aloof giants like K-LOVE. Within the last week or so, K-LOVE bought a local Christian station in our area, WSJI for 2.5 million dollars. ......... It's truly a tragedy as WSJI, though it ran a satellite feed often, did run some impressive local programming.........

The point is, local is always better. :-X

as a person that was once anti christian radio i am calling you out on this.what is EMF doing so wrong? please answer that. by bringing stations out of certain death and changing them to AIR 1 OR KLOVE is not killing them. you sir are angst against this company for some reason. possibly you were fired or was about to make some money on a station that they bought. there is something behind this. as for your station it has commercials. commercials suck! i have XM i will never have to heare commercials again. i also have live 365. again no commercials. commercial radio is not better than non com..ever!! so sir please get over your hatred of EMF. they have done nothing wrong. if it was your network it would be ok huh? and as for local content. football, baseball and any other high scholl sport makes me turn off the radio faster than hearing a 25 year old sandi patti song!!

 

[neutralobserver]

I wish people like you would stop putting EMF down. You make me mad.

Well, how mature of you!

So it will be a better station for me.

Well, how egocentric of you!

Not that I disagree, but that's not a good justification for anything.

You have no right to come on here talking bad about EMF.

Well, how oppressively dictatorish of you!

 

[GaryTheThompson]

Sidebar to Radio E and Neutral Observer - both

Can I just throw in the fact that Radioelizabeth and Neutral observer are my favorite speakers in this room.

A good majority of the time you both have very 'compelling' and articulate arguments.

You're both obviously very intelligent. And you're both obviously good radio people.

Thanks for the stimulating discussions. Thanks for your professionalism as well.

May this room take an example from both of you.

-Gary Thompson

 

[neutralobserver]

Are you having one of your "let's talk semantics" days?

;D It has been a while.... ;D

But, no, I mean it.

...but saying/doing something that keeps them from scanning elsewhere for either of those things is the goal.

Sure, but what can really accomplish that? The driver arrives at his or her destination, the kids come in and turn on the tv, work comes to an end....real life happens, and it's not courteous enough to wait for radio's permission!

To compel them to listen...

for what is next
for what is coming

"Compel" -- "to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly; to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure."

That seems awful tough to me. I mean, we're talking about forcing a change in a person's behavior simply for the sake of radio! How often is that going to really happen, and what's it going to take?

It's possible, but it's got to be a rare event coming from a rare talent.

If all you think this format ought to strive to be is entertaining and informative, then yes...that is all you will ever hope to get.

I'm not without hope...I'm just realistic!

...but most importanly... local or national...it is what is on the mind of your listener at that place and time.

Ahh....now, that's something else!

But "compelling" just isn't really the right word for it.

 

[neutralobserver]

what is EMF doing so wrong? please answer that.

You'll have to look into that more on your own. How about starting with their pleading poverty and implying stations will shut down while actually finishing eight figures in the black (and increasing!) every year and paying cash for stations left and right....look into relationships they establish with artists and retailers...look into how they've attacked and destroyed locals that were perfectly healthy and successful before their arrival...discover how they've accepted cash settlements to end threats to compete with existing stations....

by bringing stations out of certain death and changing them to AIR 1 OR KLOVE is not killing them.

If that's all they did, I don't think anybody would have any problem with them.

i will never have to heare commercials again.

You're going to miss out on big sales! You're going to have less money in your pocket because of that attitude.

...please get over your hatred of EMF. they have done nothing wrong.

Uh...... :-\ ....well....

if it was your network it would be ok huh?

Probably.

If they would stick to a very logical mission -- that of bringing the format to places that would otherwise never have it -- and that mission only, I would absolutely love and support them all day long. They've gone way beyond that. They're predators. They have killed and wish to kill again.

A little too harsh, possibly...just trying to make a point and open eyes....

 

[neutralobserver]

Can I just throw in the fact that Radioelizabeth and Neutral observer are my favorite speakers in this room.

A good majority of the time you both have very 'compelling' and articulate arguments.

You're both obviously very intelligent. And you're both obviously good radio people.

Thanks for the stimulating discussions. Thanks for your professionalism as well.

May this room take an example from both of you.

-Gary Thompson

Thanks, Trey. ;D

 

[skippertthomas]

Air-1 is quite different than it was just four or five years back... It has moved from a Rock/CHR approach to a more marketable CHR friendly approach... Different tastes for different folks.... I don't see Radio-U buying anything (having been it's first GM), but offering programming to affiliates... Way would not go into OKC, due to the other signals and EMF's already existing stations in the market.... Best that it's at least in a Christian company's hands....Still, I alway love locallized programming instead of all 'off the bird'...People want to interact 'locally' with a station....

 

[radioelizabeth]

Are you having one of your "let's talk semantics" days?

;D It has been a while.... ;D

But, no, I mean it.

we'll see...

...but saying/doing something that keeps them from scanning elsewhere for either of those things is the goal.

Sure, but what can really accomplish that? The driver arrives at his or her destination, the kids come in and turn on the tv, work comes to an end....real life happens, and it's not courteous enough to wait for radio's permission!

of course not... and no one is suggesting that they are selecting radio over real life...BUT... yes, I have sat in my car in the parking lot before to finish the song that is on... I have tuned in to hear the topic being talked about in morning drive... and I have myself, worked hard to brainstorm and select content hoping our listener will as well. The suggestion is not to steal them away from their lives... but to stop them from selecting something else... in regards to RADIO....that is the board is it not?

To compel them to listen...

for what is next
for what is coming

"Compel" -- "to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly; to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure."

I knew you were having one of these days... S E M A N T I C S ... now that we have established that...

by the way, I already looked up the definition. The difference between you and I, I didn't post it.

That seems awful tough to me. I mean, we're talking about forcing a change in a person's behavior simply for the sake of radio! How often is that going to really happen, and what's it going to take?

We're talking about forcing a change in a person's behavior in their selection of radio.

Irresistibly. let's concentrate on that word. And consider the p2 and p3 when we do.

It's possible, but it's got to be a rare event coming from a rare talent.

I'm sorry, but I like to think of myself as irresistible, driving, and as most on this board would concur...overwhelmingly pressure driven as well.... do you not believe that air talent is capable of holding the attention of their listener? Mind you, the air talent is not why they come...but air talent ought to have something more to say than "that was, this is". I don't always perfect this, no... but I have learned under some who have...and again... it's about OVERALL CONTENT...this includes every aspect of the station programming. Do you not think that hit songs compell the listener? That "I Can Only Imagine" was not able to instantly evoke emotion and response and cause the scan to stop at the sound of those notes from the piano? That imaging elements have not been provocative on stations seeking to cut the edge? That contests cannot do more than merely toss out a trinket over the air? All of these decisions CAN BE compelling.

They can drive and urge with irresistibly and cause listenership to occur and increase with overwhelming pressure that there really is no other station in town like this.

Remember, you're the one who played with semantics, I'm just obliging you...

If all you think this format ought to strive to be is entertaining and informative, then yes...that is all you will ever hope to get.

I'm not without hope...I'm just realistic!

Ok. Not without hope but realistic says: "we can do better" not "we really stink at that".

...but most importanly... local or national...it is what is on the mind of your listener at that place and time.

Ahh....now, that's something else!

But "compelling" just isn't really the right word for it.

It is if the issue on their mind is compelling.

Gary was right.

 

[radioelizabeth]

look into how they've attacked and destroyed locals that were perfectly healthy and successful before their arrival...

You post a pretty bold statement about attack and destroy...and a vast assumption of perfectly healthy and successful. If a station is perfectly healthy and successful, it's not going to be destroyed and instead will welcome the attack.

It's called competition.

If they would stick to a very logical mission -- that of bringing the format to places that would otherwise never have it -- and that mission only, I would absolutely love and support them all day long. They've gone way beyond that. They're predators. They have killed and wish to kill again.

A little too harsh, possibly...just trying to make a point and open eyes....

Little?

That might be the mission you would opt for. But to slam another's is actually more blindness than sight.

And regarding "kill and kill again"...

That is a big bad wolf arguement...and it really does not take into account all the factors or players in the story.

Besides, stations aren't young innocent victims simply trying to get to grandmas...and if they are... it's their own fault they get gobbled up. Seriously, radio takes far more responsibility than skipping down the road with a basket of good things hoping a pretty cape will keep it safe....

 

[GaryTheThompson]

Normally I have to agree with most of what Neutral Observer says.

For the most part, his responses to whomever he is debating are right down my line of thinking.

But not in this case.

Even when I was in a market at a station that was in competition with EMF, NEVER did I view them as a predator. Did I wish they would go away for my station's sake and TSL? Sure I did. I nashed my teeth at the thought of what they were doing to help splinter our audience. But that doesn't mean I didn't respect them.

For the sake of getting the music into as many ears as possible...I'd say they're doing a good work. I think if they feel that their calling is to go into as many places as possible with their brand of ministry, then fine.

They are obviously meeting a desire (even in markets where there was already good quality CCM) because in many of those markets, EMF's financial support is amazing. Case in point: Tulsa. From what I hear, T-town was in EMF's top 5 giving markets during one of their sharathons last year.

This is a market that has 4 great CCM stations of varying flavors. What that tells me is that just because a station is serving one brand of ministry to the people...that doesn't mean they're not hungry for another kind. If Tulsa didn't like EMF, then they wouldn't be supporting it.

As always, follow the money. It will tell you whether you're wanted or not. And apparently, Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma want their Air 1.

Let's let the people decide. After all...they're the ones recieving the ministry. They're free to vote with their support. And they're doing it.

 

[radioelizabeth]

Normally I have to agree with most of what Neutral Observer says.

I think that is because normally he is Neutral.

Let's let the people decide. After all...they're the ones recieving the ministry. They're free to vote with their support. And they're doing it.

worth the repost.