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At what point is Radio Not Worth doing anymore?
- Thread starter nojustice
- Start date
For me it was 1982 when I was aiming for a 1st class FCC license, and the license went POOF!
The last 28 years has just been watching the industry devolve into a commodity instead of serving the listener.
As long as the bean counters see it as a commodity only, things will continue on the present course.
Bean counters would insist radio continue driving on bald tires, bad brakes, because there's no ROI on such
"maintenance" issues.
If the bean counters were truly involved and understood their "commodity", they'd be the ones screaming about
RF interference devaluing the stuff they make money in. The disconnect is that they feel the 'commodity" part is of
more value than the technology part. Fine. But I won't play along with that.
Supposing I'd been two years older and gotten into a good eng. position with a First, then perhaps be asked to install iboc!
I'd have to choose employment over good practice? Glad I decided the game was over before I went in.
The last 28 years has just been watching the industry devolve into a commodity instead of serving the listener.
As long as the bean counters see it as a commodity only, things will continue on the present course.
Bean counters would insist radio continue driving on bald tires, bad brakes, because there's no ROI on such
"maintenance" issues.
If the bean counters were truly involved and understood their "commodity", they'd be the ones screaming about
RF interference devaluing the stuff they make money in. The disconnect is that they feel the 'commodity" part is of
more value than the technology part. Fine. But I won't play along with that.
Supposing I'd been two years older and gotten into a good eng. position with a First, then perhaps be asked to install iboc!
I'd have to choose employment over good practice? Glad I decided the game was over before I went in.
D
DominiqueRadio
Guest
Well to be honest, this is a issue that I experienced. Hell I even made that decision a time or two but after X amount of time was miserable without it and tried to get back into it. But that is just me. I think it is safe to say that if you really want to be in this business, money CANNOT be a factor. You will never make what you want so why even try? I don't do it for the money, I never have. I do it cause this is what I love. There have been times when radio has broken my heart, but I stayed faithful. However not everyone can have that kind of loyalty and commitment.
I have seen both sides of the fence with this particular subject. I know from countless jocks on the beach that it is perfectly okay to walk away from it. Never forget that radio is very competitive and very cutthroat. Someone from the outside always wants your job so if you ever find yourself questioning your existence in it, think twice. This is something that should never be taken for granted because it definitely does not last forever.
Good luck in finding your place in it all.
I have seen both sides of the fence with this particular subject. I know from countless jocks on the beach that it is perfectly okay to walk away from it. Never forget that radio is very competitive and very cutthroat. Someone from the outside always wants your job so if you ever find yourself questioning your existence in it, think twice. This is something that should never be taken for granted because it definitely does not last forever.
Good luck in finding your place in it all.
K
Kelvin
Guest
One day you wake up and realize that $8 and hour and all the records you can steal ain't going to cut it anymore.
Seriously, I was in the industry from 1976 to 1991. Started out on the air and eventually worked into engineering (which I loved). In 1986, I worked on the tower project that would become 93.3 in Austin, got canned along with the rest of the staff a week before Christmas, and had to start over on the air again.
The final straw came when the station that I was doing mornings, programming, and engineering was going to move. I told the GM that something had to give if he wanted me to move the station, and I was basically told to suck it up. It was 5 minutes later that I turned in my keys to the station manager and walked out. Went back to school for a couple of years to finish up the degree I had started 15 years earlier, and reinvented myself into an Austin hi-tech kinda guy.
Sure, I still miss a lot of it, but like another post said radio ain't what it used to be. When LMA's started being all the rage, I could see radio turning into a real estate game. And in the 19 years since I got out, I've only seen it degrade more.
There are very, very few people that I worked with still in the game. Most of those that are have done well for themselves. A few still struggle in medium markets, but the vast majority of them are selling cars now (no slam and no joke).
After being in the high tech field now since 1993, if the right technical opportunity came along in radio I would probably look at it. But, if I hadn't gotten out when I did my life would be very, very different.
Your mileage may vary.
Ken
Former KAND, WACO, KRIG, KHOO, KTEM, KPLE, KIXS
Seriously, I was in the industry from 1976 to 1991. Started out on the air and eventually worked into engineering (which I loved). In 1986, I worked on the tower project that would become 93.3 in Austin, got canned along with the rest of the staff a week before Christmas, and had to start over on the air again.
The final straw came when the station that I was doing mornings, programming, and engineering was going to move. I told the GM that something had to give if he wanted me to move the station, and I was basically told to suck it up. It was 5 minutes later that I turned in my keys to the station manager and walked out. Went back to school for a couple of years to finish up the degree I had started 15 years earlier, and reinvented myself into an Austin hi-tech kinda guy.
Sure, I still miss a lot of it, but like another post said radio ain't what it used to be. When LMA's started being all the rage, I could see radio turning into a real estate game. And in the 19 years since I got out, I've only seen it degrade more.
There are very, very few people that I worked with still in the game. Most of those that are have done well for themselves. A few still struggle in medium markets, but the vast majority of them are selling cars now (no slam and no joke).
After being in the high tech field now since 1993, if the right technical opportunity came along in radio I would probably look at it. But, if I hadn't gotten out when I did my life would be very, very different.
Your mileage may vary.
Ken
Former KAND, WACO, KRIG, KHOO, KTEM, KPLE, KIXS
Are you asking when is it not worth working in radio anymore or when is radio as a medium going to go away?
I do not think Radio is going to go away...just change. I am asking why bother working in radio if there is not enough pay to make a living at it? Also...will there be like a dozen or so (talent? Ryan seacrest types) only or will real local talent ever work again?
I am hearing from the majors they could care less about most talent they have now. And they do not have much employed as it is.
JUKEBOX RADIO with ads.
That is killing radio. In My Opinion.
No Jocks, No Listeners....
I am hearing from the majors they could care less about most talent they have now. And they do not have much employed as it is.
JUKEBOX RADIO with ads.
That is killing radio. In My Opinion.
No Jocks, No Listeners....
nojustice said:
What is the point at which it is time to hang it up?
When you write post like you have
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