Another Sign

[DXDXDX]

Those of us who are radio veterans can simply look back and see the business "circling the drain". Yes, the body is almost dead now. The smell of rot is now begining to waft. Blaming CC or any of the others won't provide a "cure" for the patient.

Let us now look at two more signs of an impending death...

INTERVIEWING-there was a time when we who interviewed people, took the time to learn about the individual, who they are, what they do, what they did or what they want to do. We did that because we wanted to do the job RIGHT and had the INTEGRITY to look back on the interview we did and feel proud we did a fantastic job. But today??? Let's just ask a few cursury questions and then take the COP OUT by saying to the person being interviewed: "talk about....". Heaven forbid the person doing the interview ask specific questions! Just show your lack of preparation and lack of pride in your job with the STUPID phrase..."talk about..."

SPORTSCASTING-there was a time when we who did play-by-play were considered "good" or even "excellent" when we actually described the event, knew what we were talking about and properly executed the decription of the action. Today however, listen to the crop of "sportcasters". What do you hear? Yelling and screaming because somebody makes a goal, touchdown etc, etc. Boy is that professional. I'm impressed! If you do PBP, I urge you to listen to the airchecks ofr GREAT PBP people. There wasn't any yelling or screaming...at the end of the broadcast, the PBP guy didn't have a hoarse voice. He described the action without the theatrics of this STUPID yelling and screaming we find prevalent today. But then again, what would you expect from a "profession" (and I even hesitate using that term) which is cirling the drain?

Go ahead, get mad at me!

 

[quadman102]

I'm not mad at you, As much as a 40+ year radio person hates to agree with you, I totally do. The skills
that you described are not being taught, a lot of stations that do play by play that I'm aware of hire
non-radio people for sports events.People with no radio training, no direction, just getting some to do the games cheap... Interviews, can't remember when I heard a "local" probing, indepth and well prepared
interview.
As a great business, with a long heritage of men and women who were pro's, who worked up the ranks,
today radio--for the most part --there are a few great stations still around, has lost a lot of what made
it so great.

 

[H82BL8]

Well, I'm pretty new to radio, and I am as enthusiastic as bee in new spring clover but it seems to me that the same lackadaisical demeanor that railroaded the financial system in this country has infected the radio industry, as well as, many other industries causing a lethagic who gives a damn attitude across the board.

When CEO's make 851% more money than the lowest paid person in the company and then suck the life out of every living thing in their path taking humungous guaranteed bonuses for underwhelming performance what is the incentive to go a good job?

Radio is reinventing itself, attempting to lower costs through automation. The funny thing is the easiest jobs to automate are the ones at the top where all of the critical information is analyzed. Isn’t that what computers are for compiling complex computations into easily digested bits of information so that managers can make critical business decisions?

What it really comes down to is pride of ownership! The programs that are good, are good because there is a high degree of pride of ownership. Pride of ownership makes me get up every morning and ask what I am going to do today to make the world a better place. I stopped paying attention to what the "Joneses" were doing a long time ago. At one point I thought I should just throw in the towel and change my name to "Jones". But, I found I was much happier when I did it my way.

FWIW my $.02

 

[Radio Circus]

Where radio is going has to do with TECHNOLOGY. Sure we had Reel To Reel/Cart Automation back in the 70's & 80's but Computer Technology,WAVS,Programs like Simian make 24 Hour Automation with Voice Tracking...not only better quality but much cheaper than in the old days.

Don't let us forget that FCC Deregulation makes much of this possible also. No longer do you need a DJ or someone to occupy the studio...computers take the Transmitter Readings,make any necessary adjustments and even fire the Emergency Alert System. Where one company was limited to One AM/FM....now one company can own Four AM/Four FM in some cases.

This Ownership model has made it possible for ONE or TWO Program Directors rather than 8,the same with news,with music,with management,sales etc,etc,etc.

What is hard to believe it with all this efficiancy that Jocks are still getting laid off.