Do you want to save this business or not?

[pocket-radio]

I sell for a new fm start up and the attitude is shocking, it's we don't want any stupid DJ's. The play list isn't 200 hundreds songs it's over 1500. Coming from a place were DJ's were once important I fought their no DJ Idea. Turns out they were right, and now I see jocks as more of any annoyance who don't really say anything worth while, except to gratify their own egos.

Listeners say I love the variety and nobody says I hate your station because you don't have jocks.
One person said that. He was an out of work disc jockey. And we don't play 22 commercials per hour with two stop sets. Some people want radio like it was 30 years ago. While others found technology and don't listen to radio anymore.

The stupid bean counters and consolidators like Clear Channel, and their idiotic clones have done more damage to the industry. Big A is a fake. They've reduced everything to a number on a spread sheet and gave little thought to how much relationships and creativity matter. Van hits and voice tracking doesn't count for creative. Added value promo's don't count. Advertisers buy what they feel helps them move product. Numbers in a book don't count, except for 21 year old media buyer who needs a good slap, and uses the numbers against us to drive our rates down. Radio is it's own worst enemy. We'll sell low rates then run 11 spots back to back. then buy into some crap from the RAB that says people listen to 11 commercials. Big A is a fake. Stupid Consolidators build up sales people, then reduce their commissions to nothing and drive out the people with relationships. Advertisers buy people, relationships still count! Stupid bankers who run radio groups only see numbers.

Except for a few situations, radio is broken. It's stale, big A is a fake. listeners hate listening to the same 200 songs and 11 spots played back to back. Anyone under 25 doesn't know what AM radio is. And if radio isn't careful some day the same will be said for FM radio. HD is more of the same, only it sounds marginally better

 

[TheBigA]

Big A is a fake.

Actually, I'm very real, as those who've messaged me directly have discovered.

Added value promo's don't count.

We do lots of added value, but they're not promos. We think outside the box and give the advertiser more than the traditional :30 spot. In fact, if we can sell something besides the agency spot, everyone is happier, including the listener.

 

[adma]

I sell for a new fm start up and the attitude is shocking, it's we don't want any stupid DJ's. The play list isn't 200 hundreds songs it's over 1500. Coming from a place were DJ's were once important I fought their no DJ Idea. Turns out they were right, and now I see jocks as more of any annoyance who don't really say anything worth while, except to gratify their own egos.

Listeners say I love the variety and nobody says I hate your station because you don't have jocks.
One person said that. He was an out of work disc jockey. And we don't play 22 commercials per hour with two stop sets. Some people want radio like it was 30 years ago. While others found technology and don't listen to radio anymore.

The stupid bean counters and consolidators like Clear Channel, and their idiotic clones have done more damage to the industry. Big A is a fake. They've reduced everything to a number on a spread sheet and gave little thought to how much relationships and creativity matter. Van hits and voice tracking doesn't count for creative. Added value promo's don't count. Advertisers buy what they feel helps them move product. Numbers in a book don't count, except for 21 year old media buyer who needs a good slap, and uses the numbers against us to drive our rates down. Radio is it's own worst enemy. We'll sell low rates then run 11 spots back to back. then buy into some crap from the RAB that says people listen to 11 commercials. Big A is a fake. Stupid Consolidators build up sales people, then reduce their commissions to nothing and drive out the people with relationships. Advertisers buy people, relationships still count! Stupid bankers who run radio groups only see numbers.

Except for a few situations, radio is broken. It's stale, big A is a fake. listeners hate listening to the same 200 songs and 11 spots played back to back. Anyone under 25 doesn't know what AM radio is. And if radio isn't careful some day the same will be said for FM radio. HD is more of the same, only it sounds marginally better

Are you sure Big A fakery is to blame for a lot of this? Because it seems to me that the die was cast long before the "bean counters and consolidators" entered the picture. Maybe it's lost to some of you who've been ensconsed within the industry for an eternity, but the ominous annoyance over playlists and commercials and stupid DJs already existed 30 years ago. You didn't need a Big A to put off listeners, or at least to saw the seeds of what now puts off listeners--and even TheBigA knows it.

 

[gr8oldies]

Radio Employee Utopia never did exist. You could find every complaint that we see on the board today 30 years ago.

 

[vsa]

Radio's problems are deeper than many want to believe. Some radio groups are on the verge of bankruptcy. Some major newspapers have already filed. Now, we have the fall of what was once the Big Kahuna of advertising cash cows.

"Yellow-pages publisher R.H. Donnelley Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Thursday [5/28/09] after reaching a deal with key creditors to restructure about $10 billion in debt.... (more at the link)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124357092677965703.html

 

[Roger That]

I sell for a new fm start up and the attitude is shocking, it's we don't want any stupid DJ's. The play list isn't 200 hundreds songs it's over 1500. Coming from a place were DJ's were once important I fought their no DJ Idea. Turns out they were right, and now I see jocks as more of any annoyance who don't really say anything worth while, except to gratify their own egos.

Listeners say I love the variety and nobody says I hate your station because you don't have jocks.
One person said that. He was an out of work disc jockey. And we don't play 22 commercials per hour with two stop sets. Some people want radio like it was 30 years ago. While others found technology and don't listen to radio anymore.

The stupid bean counters and consolidators like Clear Channel, and their idiotic clones have done more damage to the industry. Big A is a fake. They've reduced everything to a number on a spread sheet and gave little thought to how much relationships and creativity matter. Van hits and voice tracking doesn't count for creative. Added value promo's don't count. Advertisers buy what they feel helps them move product. Numbers in a book don't count, except for 21 year old media buyer who needs a good slap, and uses the numbers against us to drive our rates down. Radio is it's own worst enemy. We'll sell low rates then run 11 spots back to back. then buy into some crap from the RAB that says people listen to 11 commercials. Big A is a fake. Stupid Consolidators build up sales people, then reduce their commissions to nothing and drive out the people with relationships. Advertisers buy people, relationships still count! Stupid bankers who run radio groups only see numbers.

Except for a few situations, radio is broken. It's stale, big A is a fake. listeners hate listening to the same 200 songs and 11 spots played back to back. Anyone under 25 doesn't know what AM radio is. And if radio isn't careful some day the same will be said for FM radio. HD is more of the same, only it sounds marginally better

Always fascinating to hear from a salesperson.

 

[pocket-radio]

Radio can't provide what more and more people want, that technology can. The ability to play my playlist and my music.. WME.. Today, another rock station is another rock station playing a strangers playlist. Clear Channel and their clones place little value on talent and entertainment and more on pc playing music. Why? because real talent is dam expensive.. The research seemed to support their decisions and PC doesn't ask for a cost of living raise. Now today, everybody carries a little PC in their shirt pocket that plays music programmed by the user, and you don't have to listen to 11 commercials back to back.

The industry is broken.. It can be fixed...just as soon as the bankers & bean counters go back to banking and bean counting.. And radio get's back into the entertainment business again. Ipod's and PC's can't compete with talented people who produce content. Content is king. Voice tracking and repeating slogans and liners isn't talent. A voice tracked DJ can't connect with a human being listening on the other end, it's simply fills time and costs less.. The car industry did the same thing. They produced boxes and stopped making cars people love..

Radio is still about love, passion, creativity, emotions and relationships. Try explaining that to a banker On what line of the spread sheet do you fill in relationships or creativity. A banker thinks, cut commissions and we'll make more money! What they fail to understand is, when sales people leave, they take relationships with them that can take years to replace. The roller coaster rep game only cost's more money. Who needs an over paid morning team that everyone loves. Bankers think who needs sales people and relationships when you have numbers in a book.
Consolidated radio operators, bankers, put radio on the level of commodity's. Similar products like beans and coffee and the only thing that separates them is price or numbers in a book.

Now add to the mix technology that beats consolidated radio at it's own game. Radio's heart has been ripped out! People still use emotions to make many decisions. Emotions and feelings are missing from radio. Again on what line of the bankers spread sheet do you fill in emotions and feelings? They can't, they view radio like numbers on their spread sheet.

 

[TheBigA]

Radio can't provide what more and more people want, that technology can. The ability to play my playlist and my music..

There's a basic contradiction in your post. First, you say radio can't do what people want. Then you say...

The industry is broken.. It can be fixed...just as soon as the bankers & bean counters go back to banking and bean counting.. And radio get's back into the entertainment business again.

If the technology is limited, changing management or ownership won't change the technology. It'll just put different people in charge of the same dated technology.

Talented people producing content ignores your basic point that people want the ability to play THEIR playlist, not one from some DJ or PD. Even the most talented people are not mindreaders, and they can't anticipate what I want or when I want it. Only I know what I want. Look at all the popular technology choices, from PCs to ipods to cell phones, and NONE of them feature DJs. Obviously, that is NOT an attraction. If it was, new media companies would rush to provide them.

 

[Tom Wells]

The car industry did the same thing. They produced boxes and stopped making cars people love..

Radio is still about love, passion, creativity, emotions and relationships. Try explaining that to a banker On what line of the spread sheet do you fill in relationships or creativity. Emotions and feelings are missing from radio. Again on what line of the bankers spread sheet do you fill in emotions and feelings? They can't, they view radio like numbers on their spread sheet.

From my highly biased viewpoint, these are some of the most valuable and insightful words ever seen on RI.

 

[Tom Wells]

The car industry did the same thing. They produced boxes and stopped making cars people love..

Radio is still about love, passion, creativity, emotions and relationships. Try explaining that to a banker On what line of the spread sheet do you fill in relationships or creativity. People still use emotions to make many decisions. Emotions and feelings are missing from radio. Again on what line of the bankers spread sheet do you fill in emotions and feelings? They can't, they view radio like numbers on their spread sheet.

These are some of the most valuable and insightful words I've ever seen on this subject.

Explains pretty well also why I have 4 antique 60-70's cars, 3 in regular use.

On the other hand, one 300 dollar car is now worth 30 thou, so that could fill in on a spreadsheet, but no one cares about 30 years-out predictions.
All business is slave to the short-term result and looks down, watching its feet as it walks, and, looking down, fails to notice the wall it walks into.
The long term goal or objective is seldom stated or admitted as it might be too restrictive. Too old-fashioned.
As an internal document at US Steel once read, "We're not in business to make steel, we're in business to make money".
Business sense, but morally bereft, and not accepting of reality. Radio seems to wish it weren't what it is.

I recommend to radio these words of Mr Wizard, from the TV cartoon "Tutor Turtle":

" Be just vat you iss, not vat you iss not , folks vut does dis is da happiest lot".

 

[TheBigA]

Business sense, but morally bereft, and not accepting of reality. Radio seems to wish it weren't what it is.

Once again, this is why the Congress created non-commercial public radio. If the pursuit of money bothers you, there are thousands of non-commercial stations where the motivation is passion, emotion, and creativity. Or at least it's supposed to be. Now you may not get paid a lot of money if you work there. And they may not have the resources, listenership, or facilities of the big commercial station. But isn't money what's wrong with radio? If you want to see what radio is like without the profit motive, volunteer for your local community station. Preferably one where the staff is all unpaid.

 

[gr8oldies]

Emotions and feelings don't pay the bank note, the lease on the tower, the building rent or payroll.

 

[Tom Wells]

I fully understand that. But you can't disregard the fact that its NOT "just a business", and that's where the magic lies.
The perfect format is the dial tone. The listener always knows what they're going to hear next.
That will be the eventual saving of radio. Pure tones for meditation.

Imagine WOOM AM 1000, all 300 hz, all the time.

Just now see your comments on non-comms. Yes, I run one. We have lots of yappy community stations on the dial here, but no eclectic
music staions on AM so I supply one in a neighborhood where 91 languages are spoken and people from so many lands might never have heard ANY of the music I air, ranging from 1925 to the present over a wide range of styles.


I do it for the love of radio and a my desire to keep my radio school education meaningful, and not just become a printing press electrician. I enjoy striving for audio to equal or exceed the best in the business, on my own hand-built Pt 15.
I'm not paid to do this, and I ladly pay the utilities on 100mw.
There's no rom at any non-comms in Chicago for any more interns, thank you.
The 2 best northside university stations requires on air staff to be students, and I'm not gong back to college.

The comment about cars is also very apt. I own 4 40 yr old cars for a very good reasons that defy business sense.
The driver next door may be utterly happy with their Hummer, but they do let me know they like my old cars.
I didn't buy them as investments , but guess what, they saved me enough money to become a homeowner, and they continue to APPreciate.
I don't intend to sell them for the profits. I intend to continue ENJOYING them as cars. not driving something I don't like and wishing I
were driving something else. It's just my life, after all, not a test or special event.

Radio's not unique in merciless gutting of resources. I've watched it for 20 years in the web and sheetfed printing industry.
No more money or tiime for PM. We run till it breaks, as fast as it will go. When it breaks, you'll fix that, and we'll get back to torturing our press. No, we're not going to keep an electrician on staff anymore, we'll call one when we need one.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Talented people producing content ignores your basic point that people want the ability to play THEIR playlist, not one from some DJ or PD. Even the most talented people are not mindreaders, and they can't anticipate what I want or when I want it. Only I know what I want. Look at all the popular technology choices, from PCs to ipods to cell phones, and NONE of them feature DJs. Obviously, that is NOT an attraction. If it was, new media companies would rush to provide them.

This attitude ignores a basic human trait called CURIOSITY. People with ipods and cell phones, with CD players and tape decks, and even record changers and tape reels, have always gravitated toward radio because it provided two things:

1. New music preselected in a particular genre, along with a variety of music in that genre that appeals to most listeners.

2. "Value-added" elements like information about music and artists, local events, news, weather, and timely entertainment and information, instantly available. Best of all, very little effort is required to access this programming.

"New media" companies typically try to appeal to a mass audience. Their reach is much broader in nature, and they CAN'T localize efficiently. Moreover, they largely haven't figured out how to monetize that reach. Their business model is based on "impressions" - how many people sampled their product. The advertising model assumes that if you get enough "impressions", at least some of them will hit the target. It's like the guy who hits on a hundred girls a night, hoping that one of them will say "yes".

Does that mean that there aren't people who prefer their MP3 player? Not at all. Does that mean that radio is doomed. Once again, no. Different people have different desires and expectations at different times. Sometimes they want to hear what they want to hear, and sometimes they want to explore uncharted territory. Radio is still the simplest, fastest way to do that IF the radio stations are programmed to provide that alternative. Not only that, the interface is simple and familiar enough to allow people to do this while performing other tasks - like driving.

"New media" concentrate on providing a greater variety of music - which appeals to many listeners - because they don't have the infrastructure to provide the other localized information and entertainment elements that radio has provided in the past. Some radio owners, for some reason, now believe that discarding the very elements that differentiate radio from "new media" is the proper course of action. That makes about as much sense as firing sales people, then wondering why revenues are declining.

We are watching major companies drastically reducing programming and sales talent. How's that working out? Radio revenue, which traditionally has weathered recession relatively well, is declining faster than ever. What's the response? Even MORE cuts. Oddly, smaller companies with less debt and fewer reductions in personnel are doing MUCH better in the current economic environment. Could it be that those radio professionals actually DO perform a service that brings in MORE revenue than can be saved by cutting out their salaries?

Radio is an entertainment and information business - or at least it WAS an entertainment and information business. If you want a parallel business, look at movies. Movies should be dead by now under the onslaught of VCRs, DVRs, big-screen TVs, home theatre systems, Blu-ray, etc. What's happening with movies? Their income is UP 14% this year. Attendance is UP, despite the availability of movies on other media. Perhaps there's something to be said for that "shared experience", and the added value that comes with the entire movie theatre experience. How movies are selected and presented varies from market to market, and even within markets. The experience and capabilities of local management plays a critical role in determining what plays where, and for how long.

Perhaps its time for local radio management to regain greater control over local product. Obviously, that means that they'll also have to take greater responsibility for local results, but most managers I know would be happy to take that risk.

 

[radioray]

"Emotions and feelings don't pay the bank note, the lease on the tower, the building rent or payroll."

Actually that is EXACTLY what pays the bank note, lease, rent and payroll.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

This attitude ignores a basic human trait called CURIOSITY. People with ipods and cell phones, with CD players and tape decks, and even record changers and tape reels, have always gravitated toward radio because it provided two things:

1. New music preselected in a particular genre, along with a variety of music in that genre that appeals to most listeners.

2. "Value-added" elements like information about music and artists, local events, news, weather, and timely entertainment and information, instantly available. Best of all, very little effort is required to access this programming.

I have certainly spewed out my share of wants, wishes and opinions in this and similar threads. I would be happy in a world where what you put in your last message was valid and a sign of the times to come. In this thread we have read where a salesperson of advertising tells us the BUYERS of advertising don't believe that listeners want the things you just said will cause radio to be strong.

It is probably fair to say that none of us really has a lock on what will turn out to be the long term outcome. There are several "industries" that can have an impact on what we end up with.

If broadcasters can rally around a long term goal, they can have a major influence on the outcome. So far we seem to see that the broadcasting industry may have about as much wisdom about the future of their business as did the people running Chrysler and General Motors (soon to be known as Government Motors :-\ ).

The record industry/music industry could have a major influence on the outcome of radio but they don't seem to have a plan that will be good for either them or the radio industry.

Congress and the FCC could have a major influence on the outcome of radio but they don't seem to see the industry in a way that is attractive to any of us.

That leaves us with the people who work in radio. Maybe this is the group that can assemble the salvation of the industry. Based on the conversations we post here, I have to observe that we have two chances of coming to the rescue: FAT chance and SLIM chance. One of the not-so-bright points in my life was to head for the beginning edge of western Kansas as a seller of radio advertising. I came away with this big of sage wisdom from one of the merchants I called on: "If you are going to stand in the middle of Main Street and urinate... be sure and face down wind. Facing upwind will be a lesson in futility."



SirRoxalot: I personally would enjoy seeing your view of radio, your hopes for radio, your tactical plan for radio be successful. I am afraid you are facing upwind however. Let me make you a prediction. In the near future you will start finding in the supermarkets.... maybe along side the National Enquirer and the slick magazines they have to cover up with a shield to keep little eyes from seeing too much... you will find little packages maybe the size of a box of kitchen matches or the size of a package of Twinkies, 18 choices of program content to pour into your iPod or comparable device. The people who produce these will have no need of tall towers, FCC lawyers, offices on a main thoroughfare spiffy enough to impress advertisers when they come by to record a commercial. They can work from a steel Butler building out in that little Kansas town, or along side a really neat lake in the Smokies, or in a village in India. You package will contain voiced humor, measured amounts of talk about music, the entertainment industry or whatever facet of life interests you. You will probably carry this package out of the store for what... maybe $9.95 or 14.95 and you'll be good-to-go for a couple of months. With Music included it might run a little higher.

No keeping up with a bunch of wires. No negotiating for an office near the windows so your receiver can pick up off-the-air content, no fighting with corporate I.T. over access to streaming. No need to learn how to cultivate and manage those mp3 machines with with the personality of misbehaving 8 year old. Give me a bag of ice, a six-pack of beer, a deli-sandwich and a package of mp3 programming, please.

And for the folks good enough to cook up really good radio, living beside the lake down in the Smokies and grinding out packaged sound all day long may not be a bad life come to think of it.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Quote from: SirRoxalot on Today at 05:34:45 pm

This attitude ignores a basic human trait called CURIOSITY. People with ipods and cell phones, with CD players and tape decks, and even record changers and tape reels, have always gravitated toward radio because it provided two things:

1. New music preselected in a particular genre, along with a variety of music in that genre that appeals to most listeners.

2. "Value-added" elements like information about music and artists, local events, news, weather, and timely entertainment and information, instantly available. Best of all, very little effort is required to access this programming.



I have certainly spewed out my share of wants, wishes and opinions in this and similar threads. I would be happy in a world where what you put in your last message was valid and a sign of the times to come. In this thread we have read where a salesperson of advertising tells us the BUYERS of advertising don't believe that listeners want the things you just said will cause radio to be strong.

It is probably fair to say that none of us really has a lock on what will turn out to be the long term outcome. There are several "industries" that can have an impact on what we end up with.

If broadcasters can rally around a long term goal, they can have a major influence on the outcome. So far we seem to see that the broadcasting industry may have about as much wisdom about the future of their business as did the people running Chrysler and General Motors (soon to be known as Government Motors ).

The record industry/music industry could have a major influence on the outcome of radio but they don't seem to have a plan that will be good for either them or the radio industry.

Congress and the FCC could have a major influence on the outcome of radio but they don't seem to see the industry in a way that is attractive to any of us.

That leaves us with the people who work in radio. Maybe this is the group that can assemble the salvation of the industry. Based on the conversations we post here, I have to observe that we have two chances of coming to the rescue: FAT chance and SLIM chance. One of the not-so-bright points in my life was to head for the beginning edge of western Kansas as a seller of radio advertising. I came away with this big of sage wisdom from one of the merchants I called on: "If you are going to stand in the middle of Main Street and urinate... be sure and face down wind. Facing upwind will be a lesson in futility."



SirRoxalot: I personally would enjoy seeing your view of radio, your hopes for radio, your tactical plan for radio be successful. I am afraid you are facing upwind however. Let me make you a prediction. In the near future you will start finding in the supermarkets.... maybe along side the National Enquirer and the slick magazines they have to cover up with a shield to keep little eyes from seeing too much... you will find little packages maybe the size of a box of kitchen matches or the size of a package of Twinkies, 18 choices of program content to pour into your iPod or comparable device. The people who produce these will have no need of tall towers, FCC lawyers, offices on a main thoroughfare spiffy enough to impress advertisers when they come by to record a commercial. They can work from a steel Butler building out in that little Kansas town, or along side a really neat lake in the Smokies, or in a village in India. You package will contain voiced humor, measured amounts of talk about music, the entertainment industry or whatever facet of life interests you. You will probably carry this package out of the store for what... maybe $9.95 or 14.95 and you'll be good-to-go for a couple of months. With Music included it might run a little higher.

No keeping up with a bunch of wires. No negotiating for an office near the windows so your receiver can pick up off-the-air content, no fighting with corporate I.T. over access to streaming. No need to learn how to cultivate and manage those mp3 machines with with the personality of misbehaving 8 year old. Give me a bag of ice, a six-pack of beer, a deli-sandwich and a package of mp3 programming, please.

And for the folks good enough to cook up really good radio, living beside the lake down in the Smokies and grinding out packaged sound all day long may not be a bad life come to think of it.

 

[adma]

TheBigA speaketh:

Once again, this is why the Congress created non-commercial public radio. If the pursuit of money bothers you, there are thousands of non-commercial stations where the motivation is passion, emotion, and creativity. Or at least it's supposed to be. Now you may not get paid a lot of money if you work there. And they may not have the resources, listenership, or facilities of the big commercial station. But isn't money what's wrong with radio? If you want to see what radio is like without the profit motive, volunteer for your local community station. Preferably one where the staff is all unpaid.

Yeah, you say that with a sneer like it's bad or something. It's like a vulgar ex-husband sneering at his ex-wife for choosing a downtown arts crowd (while secretly bemoaning the alimony payments that, one supposes, are subsidizing her lifestyle).

As a matter of fact, if you go back to the 80s or so, that's exactly what a lot of late boomers and Xers, dismayed with the entropy on your regular radio dial, did--spurring the "campus radio" phenomenon. And, you know something? For those who experienced it, it was better. Better than hanging with a bunch of puffed-up overtanned aging DJ rubes air-guitaring to "We Built This City".

And even if they weren't into the "profit motive" thing, they weren't necessarily unemployable dead-end losers, either--quite the contrary. If anything, the community/campus radio experience enabled them to view those already within the industry as more akin to dead-end losers--and even more so, those young broadcast-school bumpkins who still aspired to that particular field.

You see, it was about "passion, emotion, and creativity", in the end. And the community/campus experience was less about radio as an end in itself, than as a stepping stone to bigger and better things--one may say that the synergy created by such a milieu ultimately led to everything from the technologies that have been "superceding" radio ever since, to the Obama presidency.

And look at what commercial radio's become identified in that timeframe. Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage et al. When it comes to the bigger picture, take your pick. Maybe, just like a rabid animal, the industry isn't worth saving; or at least, it deserves to be in permanent quarantine.

Though I can halfway empathize with TheBigA in that volunteer-based community radio might not be what it was in the 80s, glamour-wise and all--in part because the kinds of teens and 20somethings that might have chosen campus radio in the 80s now don't give a flying F about radio at all.

 

[landtuna]

If you want a parallel business, look at movies. Movies should be dead by now under the onslaught of VCRs, DVRs, big-screen TVs, home theatre systems, Blu-ray, etc. What's happening with movies? Their income is UP 14% this year. Attendance is UP, despite the availability of movies on other media. Perhaps there's something to be said for that "shared experience", and the added value that comes with the entire movie theatre experience. How movies are selected and presented varies from market to market, and even within markets. The experience and capabilities of local management plays a critical role in determining what plays where, and for how long.

I'm not sure the movie theater business relates very much to radio. Their audience has for years pandered to children and teens. When is the last time you went to the movies and the majority of people in the audience were between 30-70 (other than the $2 special on Tuesday afternoons)?

Personally, I quit going to the movie theaters years ago because of the "experience". People talking on their cell phones, uncomfortable seats, blasting audio levels, commercials, high ticket prices and the poor overall quality of movies. I doubt I will ever set foot in a theater again in my life - and I don't miss it a bit. I can watch any movie I choose on my home theater, stop and start it whenever I want, slap anyone in the room who uses a cell phone and otherwise control the whole presentation. The movies are delivered to my mailbox if I wish so parking isn't a problem either. The only thing I give up is the size of the screen.

 

[TheBigA]

Yeah, you say that with a sneer like it's bad or something. It's like a vulgar ex-husband sneering at his ex-wife for choosing a downtown arts crowd (while secretly bemoaning the alimony payments that, one supposes, are subsidizing her lifestyle).

Absolutely not! I worked at several public and community stations, and at NPR itself. I think most people who complain about big corporate radio should be forced to spend a few years in the non-commercial world and see how they like it.