OK, so I was at a Subway last night and while waiting in line, the station that is usually playing AC has very long commercials. The minute I entered the place, I am hearing their traffic report provided by RightNow Traffic with Kelly K(who used to be on a heritage CHR station during the late morning hours until Seacrest took over). While we were waiting in line, the commercials have already started, while my mother is almost done finalizing the ordering, the commercials were still on, but by the time we leave, it was back to music, but at this time it is all X-Mas 24/7. Ironically, at the end of the commercial set, there was a voiceover that says "This segment is brought to you by Subway". I know other Subways around my area has always have their music station over their PA system set on the same top rated station in my area, but there are some that have opted for satellite programming that is common in other fast food restaurants I visit. The only exception is Burger King in extreme northern NJ, when a few years ago I ordered a Whopper and they were playing WPLJ over the loudspeakers, and I even heard their EAS test at one point.
So, I don't get it... That station I am being forced to listen to when I am at a restaurant, which is playing long commercials. A long time ago, there was a Chinese restaurant I went to and instead of playing an instrumental background music suitable for such an environment, they have this same station streaming through their PA system. Their staff were not so friendly either. Thankfully, the restaurant was demolished and replaced by Walgreen's in recent years. But, the good news is that we now eat at another Chinese buffet located near Walmart and they were playing mostly instrumentals, but it was the same songs over and over and over each time I dine in And just recently, I ate at another restaurant by the mall near Scranton and they were playing a mixed selection of both Asian and Western songs coming out of their portable stereo system connected to the PA system. I get to hear Adele's Someone Like You. Thankfully, no long commercials or aggressive imaging.
In conclusion, I rather want to see restaurants like Subway and others stream their music playlist from Pandora than hearing long commercials and aggressive imaging coming from their AC stations. This is pure example on why radio today is in total disarray. If I was the manager at a fast food joint, I will not put on a popular FM station to serve their customers, but I will stream Pandora or use satellite services or MP3 devices filled with thousands of songs.
That Chinese restaurant that was torn down and replaced by Walgreens is what I would not ever dine their again had it not been shut down. Playing music with aggressive imaging and super long commercials can drive guests away. It is a major distraction. You can do this at a thrift store, dentist's office, banks, hair parlors, etc. but not in such an environment like this.
So, I don't get it... That station I am being forced to listen to when I am at a restaurant, which is playing long commercials. A long time ago, there was a Chinese restaurant I went to and instead of playing an instrumental background music suitable for such an environment, they have this same station streaming through their PA system. Their staff were not so friendly either. Thankfully, the restaurant was demolished and replaced by Walgreen's in recent years. But, the good news is that we now eat at another Chinese buffet located near Walmart and they were playing mostly instrumentals, but it was the same songs over and over and over each time I dine in And just recently, I ate at another restaurant by the mall near Scranton and they were playing a mixed selection of both Asian and Western songs coming out of their portable stereo system connected to the PA system. I get to hear Adele's Someone Like You. Thankfully, no long commercials or aggressive imaging.
In conclusion, I rather want to see restaurants like Subway and others stream their music playlist from Pandora than hearing long commercials and aggressive imaging coming from their AC stations. This is pure example on why radio today is in total disarray. If I was the manager at a fast food joint, I will not put on a popular FM station to serve their customers, but I will stream Pandora or use satellite services or MP3 devices filled with thousands of songs.
That Chinese restaurant that was torn down and replaced by Walgreens is what I would not ever dine their again had it not been shut down. Playing music with aggressive imaging and super long commercials can drive guests away. It is a major distraction. You can do this at a thrift store, dentist's office, banks, hair parlors, etc. but not in such an environment like this.