Congratulations Clear Channel, you've killed Hartford Radio

[GlennO]

Radio and change have always gone hand in hand, but it isn't going the way of the 8-track anytime soon. That said, a nostalgic wish to turn the clock back to pre-1996 isn't going to change some basic facts about broadcasting today. Even as fast as things change, what's happening with corporate ownership and changing technology shouldn't be that big a shock. I don't read much here about how people can make their passion for radio fit realistically into their lives. It's all or nothing. If the job offers don't roll in tomorrow or you don't get guaranteed stability or enough money to live on where you are, what are the options?

Squeaky wheel? Talent? Write your Congressman? Those are all well and good, but take a good hard look at the business of radio and how you fit in. Some of the greatest radio folks expanded their horizons outside of the walls and mindset of a radio station, and in turn became better adjusted broadcasters - and people. That worked 30 years ago. Clear Channel or no Clear Channel, it works today.

 

[bub]

Pretty soon, voicetracking will be the least of your concerns. Voice Synthesis is becoming very refined. Once that comes to fruition, they won't even have to pay a jock to track 4:1. Cheap Channel will be able to send the breaks and contest liners in text form to each of their stations, and you'll hear Dolly the DJ voicing your favorite live reads, and introducing your favorite songs. There'll be an 800 number to a call answering center in India where all your prayers will be answered.
-A

Voice Synthesis. Just like at the supermarket. Dolly the DJ can backsell the songs and give the circular specials in the stop set. :

 

[cabradio]

Squeaky wheel? Talent? Write your Congressman? Those are all well and good, but take a good hard look at the business of radio and how you fit in. Some of the greatest radio folks expanded their horizons outside of the walls and mindset of a radio station, and in turn became better adjusted broadcasters - and people. That worked 30 years ago. Clear Channel or no Clear Channel, it works today.

I was responding to Alan accusing the FCC of deregulating radio, when in fact the public has some responsibility for that happening; just like anything the Government does, because we elect the representatives, and we have a responsibility to be informed of what is happening.

As far as fitting into "radio", realistically speaking, there are less places for one to "fit in". When consolidation started, many got into voice-over work. Now that field is flooded with just as many untalented as talented. The changes happening today offer LESS opportunity for new people to break in, and even less for those in the business because someone is always willing to work cheaper.

 

[caliv]

 

[Turntable]

Squeaky wheel?

I was responding to Alan accusing the FCC of deregulating radio, when in fact the public has some responsibility for that happening; just like anything the Government does, because we elect the representatives, and we have a responsibility to be informed of what is happening.

Really? I would say that the people we as a public elect, have a responsibility to INFORM US of what is happening. If a tree falls in the forest and there is nobody there to hear it, did it really make a sound? I think it did-- and it sounds like Delilah and John Tesh.

-A

 

[cabradio]

Really? I would say that the people we as a public elect, have a responsibility to INFORM US of what is happening. If a tree falls in the forest and there is nobody there to hear it, did it really make a sound? I think it did-- and it sounds like Delilah and John Tesh.

-A

The meetings/votes are public record. You can even watch some of the hearings etc on CSPAN. And I do believe there are many reporters that do report on what is going on, on Capitol Hill. You can lead a horse to water...you can't make him drink. But that aside, just how would you propose they keep us informed [back in 96 - pre-public email]? By USPS mail? Do you know what cost the tax payers would bear for mailings of that magnitude? Imagine the cost of sending a letter to every household in the USA! And there's no guarantee it would be read either! There was and is already enough wasteful spending. And don't say, "have them use the radio" because that opens up the dialog of "who would listen", and "who would sponsor it" and "stations would lose ratings/revenue because the majority of American's aren't interested in hearing the Senate or the Congress debating issues that will affect their lives". Besides there is Talk Radio now, but there is only so much time, and only the major issues are discussed...Now all you have to do to stay informed is subscribe to e-newsletters and rss feeds. Again, it comes down to personal responsibility. The information is readily available. It's up to you to do something with it. The power is always in the peoples hands, but becoming less so because of the apathy that the general public takes. BUT hey...they'll pick up a phone and vote for American Idol, and they'll keep themselves informed of their favorite contestant! Ask the public to stay informed of things that actually matter and you get: "I would say that the people we as a public elect, have a responsibility to INFORM US of what is happening." That, to me is shirking your responsibility as an American Citizen. Let me ask you something...the FCC asked for Public Comment on the XM/Sirius merger. Being in the industry, this was VERY public knowledge. All the trades reported it. So, did you submit a comment? You're pretty opinionated about how the FCC handles things, so, did you voice your opinion? I did.

Don't get me wrong Alan, I like you. You were an advocate of what we were trying to do at WXCT. And that is appreciated. But I disagree with you on this issue. It wasn't "their" fault. It was "ours" for not being better informed.

Another way you can stay informed is to join the CBA. They keep its members informed of issues that matter to the broadcasting industry with a regular monthly newsletter. I'm not sure on what the policy is for the "public" to join, but you can always ask. [there is a fee, but it is affordable] Again...YOU have to take responsibility to be informed. There are many ways. You can't expect our representatives to come and knock on our doors to speak with each of us, individually, EVERY TIME there is a new bill proposed.

 

[Numo]

Dont worry man, Crap 0 Channel is killing radio all over the country. They have dessimated their stations here in Providence, all except 94.1WHJY but I think a collaborative on air stunt by Paul and Al and others to have listeners call amd bambard some Clear Channels inbox with bitching had a hand in staying the blade.

Its a damn shame that you here nothing but voice tracking bird feed on most of their channels now.

 

[4dude]

Clear channel is garbage!!

They make thier streams SO HARD TO LISTEN TO its not worth it!


I dont know why they do that.. THEY BLOCK ALL IPs OUTSIDE OF THE USA FROM CONNECTING SO WHAT ARE THEY WORRIED ABOUT??

 

[DJKraze]

There's no point in region blocking as they do, since there's proxy servers out there that make it appear as if you're dialing in from the target location. I know people who use them to watch Canadian TV.

 

[Whale]

With all the stations to listen to online, why would anyone choose a Clear Channel station??

 

[CTListener]

With all the stations to listen to online, why would anyone choose a Clear Channel station??

The same reason millions and millions of people choose to listen to them on FM: Because they play familiar, mainstream music that tests well with a large percentage of American listeners in focus groups.

 

[kms575]

With all the stations to listen to online, why would anyone choose a Clear Channel station??

The same reason millions and millions of people choose to listen to them on FM: Because they play familiar, mainstream music that tests well with a large percentage of American listeners in focus groups.

Well, millions watch American Idol, The Hills and HLN, but that doesn't mean they are quality TV. We have been dumbed down by mainstream media, this includes radio.

 

[CTListener]

With all the stations to listen to online, why would anyone choose a Clear Channel station??

The same reason millions and millions of people choose to listen to them on FM: Because they play familiar, mainstream music that tests well with a large percentage of American listeners in focus groups.

Well, millions watch American Idol, The Hills and HLN, but that doesn't mean they are quality TV. We have been dumbed down by mainstream media, this includes radio.

I agree, but I was just answering your question. America as a whole has been dumbed down and wants dumbed-down entertainment. CC knows the masses don't want anything adventurous or unexpected when they turn on their radios, just generic happy voices telling generic jokes, reading time and temp, and playing "songs you like by artists you know," as a slogan on a CC station I heard in upstate New York once went.

 

[DToTheJ]

With all the stations to listen to online, why would anyone choose a Clear Channel station??

The same reason millions and millions of people choose to listen to them on FM: Because they play familiar, mainstream music that tests well with a large percentage of American listeners in focus groups.

Well, millions watch American Idol, The Hills and HLN, but that doesn't mean they are quality TV. We have been dumbed down by mainstream media, this includes radio.

I agree, but I was just answering your question. America as a whole has been dumbed down and wants dumbed-down entertainment. CC knows the masses don't want anything adventurous or unexpected when they turn on their radios, just generic happy voices telling generic jokes, reading time and temp, and playing "songs you like by artists you know," as a slogan on a CC station I heard in upstate New York once went.

I have nothing productive to add to this discussion, I just wanted to continue the lovely quote train we've got going!

 

[Whale]

With all the stations to listen to online, why would anyone choose a Clear Channel station??

The same reason millions and millions of people choose to listen to them on FM: Because they play familiar, mainstream music that tests well with a large percentage of American listeners in focus groups.

I completely disagree. They listen because of successful branding and marketing. Many people aren't savvy enough to find stations on their own, they go with the URL that's pushed on their radio. Most markets have only one station per format. Clear Channel stations are not listened to because of their quality, it's because they've been allowed to buy away any competition.

 

[PaulRAnderson]

I would love it if an FM station played "songs you like by artists you know". All I hear is commercial pap from artists I've barely heard of. The recent switch of "Mix 98.5" to "Mix 104.1" in Boston had me listening to the station for the first time. What I heard was self-indulgent babble from the people on the air, a commercial break with at least ten commercials and songs that are barely listenable.

No wonder I stopped listening to FM radio years ago. It has nothing to offer me. Millions and millions of Americans have stopped listening too, but I certainly realize that, at the same time, millions and millions still listen.

Even in the days of mass-appeal radio like WABC, they played new songs by artists you didn't know. The people programming stations then took chances that I suspect no station does today.

Paul

 

[WPPCProductions]

Hear the same ole tunes all the time On CC stations and others not owned by CC too,How often the station test the songs out, on all formats .