I'm curious as to anyone's opinion of the viability of a return to commercial full service radio utilizing MOR music, news, information and pubic affairs programming. I will reserve my opinion and comments until after everyone who would like to comment has done so giving your reason why full service may or may not work today...
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FULL SERVICE MOR
- Thread starter jmtillery
- Start date
C
cd637299
Guest
For one thing, MOR as such no longer exists, IMO. I think MOR existed to go between "beautiful music" & rock. As you don't hear beautiful music much anymore, what you'd be taking about is AC.
There are no "currents" in softer music now, like there were in the 1970s.
WVLG in Florida, IMO, is the closest one will find, to the traditional MOR stations (at least, during the weekdays). It truly serves the community, has news on the hour, some public affairs and interview shows, but also----the music, of which some is AC, but from the last I heard, I'd say they need to weed out some of the harder-edged stuff, especially as the audience is generally of retirement age (hence, no playing of "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," which I heard on a non-oldies show on VLG).
What might work would be strictly the adult standards (the modern term for MOR, but again, practically no currents can be found) sprinkled among lifestyle/interview/news & such.
Also, to truly be full-service, it would have to be a station serving a smaller town, in which there is virtually no competition (read: no WNEW 1130 anymore)...
That being said, if somebody wants to steer me onto a live stream of any existing such station, I'm keen to listen.
cd <---note, one who has never worked in radio, but has been a listener.
There are no "currents" in softer music now, like there were in the 1970s.
WVLG in Florida, IMO, is the closest one will find, to the traditional MOR stations (at least, during the weekdays). It truly serves the community, has news on the hour, some public affairs and interview shows, but also----the music, of which some is AC, but from the last I heard, I'd say they need to weed out some of the harder-edged stuff, especially as the audience is generally of retirement age (hence, no playing of "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," which I heard on a non-oldies show on VLG).
What might work would be strictly the adult standards (the modern term for MOR, but again, practically no currents can be found) sprinkled among lifestyle/interview/news & such.
Also, to truly be full-service, it would have to be a station serving a smaller town, in which there is virtually no competition (read: no WNEW 1130 anymore)...
That being said, if somebody wants to steer me onto a live stream of any existing such station, I'm keen to listen.
cd <---note, one who has never worked in radio, but has been a listener.
Nice idea but I don't know that it would work today. Most people seem to have shorter attention spans and want either all music or all talk.
Today's MOR would be quite different from the MOR of the past too. It would probably be a mix of bon Jovi, Cold Play, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Pink, Spice Girls, and Backstreet Boys. Not sure how you would mix all that together.
Today's MOR would be quite different from the MOR of the past too. It would probably be a mix of bon Jovi, Cold Play, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Pink, Spice Girls, and Backstreet Boys. Not sure how you would mix all that together.
C
cd637299
Guest
I wanted to add:
A true full service radio station, if one really wants to hearken back-back-back-back (apologies to Chris Berman), one would have to also add radio dramas/comedies/quiz shows!
The last true "full service" radio station like that, that I heard, could have been Radio Belize in the 1970s (via DX, 834 on the AM dial). They had music (probably dayparted to match the best demos in each time slot), news, sports (I heard local basketball), and dramas, IIRC.....but that was because Belize had no TV until 1981!
If "When Radio Was" is still syndicated, it would be a must, in today's new full service radio station!
Sidebar: If "bush messages" (personal messages) are still legal on radio in Alaska (no other state is allowed to do this), now *that* is true full service!!
cd
A true full service radio station, if one really wants to hearken back-back-back-back (apologies to Chris Berman), one would have to also add radio dramas/comedies/quiz shows!
The last true "full service" radio station like that, that I heard, could have been Radio Belize in the 1970s (via DX, 834 on the AM dial). They had music (probably dayparted to match the best demos in each time slot), news, sports (I heard local basketball), and dramas, IIRC.....but that was because Belize had no TV until 1981!
If "When Radio Was" is still syndicated, it would be a must, in today's new full service radio station!
Sidebar: If "bush messages" (personal messages) are still legal on radio in Alaska (no other state is allowed to do this), now *that* is true full service!!
cd
An idea I have for modern full service radio is to provide multiple components including heavy national, state and local news interspersed with "around the clock" updated weather and traffic as opposed to airing pre-recorded weather and news that rarely gets updated. This would involve having a full-time local news department, or at the very least employing one full-time news director / reporter / anchor and one part-time news reporter. Local community involvement would also be a big part of the station's overall objective. The music would consist of select adult standards, light classic hits and newer contemporary music that fits the overall music mix sound. Old radio shows such as When Radio Was airing at night would be a nice addition although I originally had not considered old radio programs as part of the formula.
I would love to see some form of a return to the MOR format. It can be done. The demo you would be going after would want a form of a MOR format. They want solid local newscasts, what's happening on the national scene, interest in financial news along with solid traffic and weather info. They are also looking for a station that doesn't sound like everyone else. The demo would enjoy hearing a number of songs you don't hear everyday. Music does matter in this format. However, it has to be done. REO Speedwagon is not what they want to hear on this station.
The basic music artists of an Adult Standards station along with the right mix of music from the 90's on that fit the format would be very much accepted. Above all, you must have at least part of your DJ line up local, entertaining and involved in the community. A number of stations can't afford four full time jocks but should try to be live and local in the drive time dayparts.
So why don't we see this format in Cicninnati and Dayton and a half effort in Columbus, Ohio with the format? The concept of airing all of the Dial Global Adult Standards DJ's and having a local news anchor, like they do in Columbus, is missing the mark.
This format can work but it will take management who understand how to put together the right staff and develop the right sound to hit the mark. There are people who believe you can't make money off this format. It's been sad you can get ratings but little revenue. The words came from programmers or radio consultants who have not been GM's who don't know how to sell the format and be able to train their A.E's to sell it.
You can make the format sound fresh and work but again its about having the right people in place. Money can be made if it is done right and its the right market.
I know there are so many reasons why people who will tellyou it will fail. It wasn't that many years ago many of the same people said a Classic Country station would not work.
The basic music artists of an Adult Standards station along with the right mix of music from the 90's on that fit the format would be very much accepted. Above all, you must have at least part of your DJ line up local, entertaining and involved in the community. A number of stations can't afford four full time jocks but should try to be live and local in the drive time dayparts.
So why don't we see this format in Cicninnati and Dayton and a half effort in Columbus, Ohio with the format? The concept of airing all of the Dial Global Adult Standards DJ's and having a local news anchor, like they do in Columbus, is missing the mark.
This format can work but it will take management who understand how to put together the right staff and develop the right sound to hit the mark. There are people who believe you can't make money off this format. It's been sad you can get ratings but little revenue. The words came from programmers or radio consultants who have not been GM's who don't know how to sell the format and be able to train their A.E's to sell it.
You can make the format sound fresh and work but again its about having the right people in place. Money can be made if it is done right and its the right market.
I know there are so many reasons why people who will tellyou it will fail. It wasn't that many years ago many of the same people said a Classic Country station would not work.
C
cd637299
Guest
^ WLW up to about 1983 certainly filled the bill, no? But music on AM today won't cut it.....adding HD hasn't helped return music to the AM band.
That is not to say that FS couldn't make a go on FM, but I know of no FM who has tried the format.
A new FS station *might* have to throw on current-ish stuff by folk like Diana Krall & Buble to keep it modern.
[I think when we are talking a FS format, I'd think it to mean "the only radio station you'll ever need," right? In a way, I am surprised some of the major-city FM stations have converted their news/talkers to FM 100%, and have not tried to add a few MOR songs, maybe 6 an hour; keeping it local a bit, and reduced the national hosts that aren't the bigger billers....
But that's just me.]
cd
That is not to say that FS couldn't make a go on FM, but I know of no FM who has tried the format.
A new FS station *might* have to throw on current-ish stuff by folk like Diana Krall & Buble to keep it modern.
[I think when we are talking a FS format, I'd think it to mean "the only radio station you'll ever need," right? In a way, I am surprised some of the major-city FM stations have converted their news/talkers to FM 100%, and have not tried to add a few MOR songs, maybe 6 an hour; keeping it local a bit, and reduced the national hosts that aren't the bigger billers....
But that's just me.]
cd
I think Jmtillery is very much on target. I don't think you have to look at a revised MOR format as either all talk or music. There are very few stations that can afford the kind the size news department as to what was suggested either,
I think all the posts so far have made some excellent comments. I disagree that music is dead on AM. There are some very successful Classic Country and Oldies AM stations doing very well.
With that said, if there is no music on a full service station ,than how will the format be different than the hundreds of stations we already have with a local morning show and then a bevy of national talk shows the rest of the day?
Music will never be the number one draw on a revised MOR format but it can be an element that can be a plus for the overall draw of the station.
I think all the posts so far have made some excellent comments. I disagree that music is dead on AM. There are some very successful Classic Country and Oldies AM stations doing very well.
With that said, if there is no music on a full service station ,than how will the format be different than the hundreds of stations we already have with a local morning show and then a bevy of national talk shows the rest of the day?
Music will never be the number one draw on a revised MOR format but it can be an element that can be a plus for the overall draw of the station.
Probably what could be considered a full service-classic MOR would be Albany NY's WROW which signed on about a year and a half ago and has been pulling in respectable ratings (around a 3.0). I was thinking of at least three stations in major markets that might be good candidates. Those being Baltimore's WCAO, Seattle's KVI and WIP Philadelphia.
Actually, it has been done. It's called "adult contemporary radio" or simply "AC".Mike Sheridan said:
vchimpanzee said:
There is a vast diffrence between Adult Contemporary and Full Service MOR. In fact there is a vast difference between Full Service MOR and simply MOR. I have never heard an adult contemporary formatted radio station today that goes beyond playing music with possible morning drive news briefs and traffic reports. There is also no news presence during the night hours and weekend with one possible exception regarding a station in a major market. Even there Full Service MOR / Heavy 24 / 7 News is virtually non-existent. Beyond 9:00 AM Monday - Friday adult contemporary stations are wall-to-wall music which is not Full Service MOR or even Full Service Adult Contemporary.
I'll go a little further and give an example of the kind of music a Full Service MOR AM station would play, skewing an older target demo with heavy national and local news, weather and traffic.
Example Hour:
TOH National News 00:00 - 00:002 (ABC/Information , CBS or Fox News)
Local News 00:02 - 00:06
Weather
Music:
Ray Connif - Brazil
You'll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine)- Lou Rawls
Hello It's Me - Todd Rundgren
Don't Say You Don't Remember - Beverly Bremers
Here's Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again - The Fortunes
Rags To Riches - Tony Bennett
Theme From Exodus - Farrante and Tiecher
Jazzman - Carol King
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Part Time Love - Elton John
Kenny Rogers - Morning Desire
The Year of the Cat - Al Stewart
In addition to the above, modern Rod Stewert, Kenny Rogers, and some newer smooth jazz tunes would be added to the mix. Of course if the format is being presented on FM, the music playlist would be slightly newer than what is presented above. Keep in mind the above is only a sample as the selections and mix will also be determined by the day-part.
Example Hour:
TOH National News 00:00 - 00:002 (ABC/Information , CBS or Fox News)
Local News 00:02 - 00:06
Weather
Music:
Ray Connif - Brazil
You'll Never Find (Another Love Like Mine)- Lou Rawls
Hello It's Me - Todd Rundgren
Don't Say You Don't Remember - Beverly Bremers
Here's Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again - The Fortunes
Rags To Riches - Tony Bennett
Theme From Exodus - Farrante and Tiecher
Jazzman - Carol King
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Part Time Love - Elton John
Kenny Rogers - Morning Desire
The Year of the Cat - Al Stewart
In addition to the above, modern Rod Stewert, Kenny Rogers, and some newer smooth jazz tunes would be added to the mix. Of course if the format is being presented on FM, the music playlist would be slightly newer than what is presented above. Keep in mind the above is only a sample as the selections and mix will also be determined by the day-part.
I was referring to bon Jovi, Cold Play, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Pink, Spice Girls, and Backstreet Boys.jmtillery said:
That's close to what adult standards is, though I don't like the idea of introducing smooth jazz as the format is mostly garbage even if it's only instrumental.jmtillery said:
I don't see anything wrong with the format except there's too much AC.jmtillery said:
The adult contemporary (classic hits) is there to lower the target demo slightly more than what pure adult standards will attract. The news and information elements along with the non-offensive music is the core "glue" that keeps the target demo listening. I see this as an adult 35 - 64 target demo primarily on AM but can also be modified for FM.
C
cd637299
Guest
Although the following would not work in 2011, www.monitorbeacon.net (NBC Radio's "Monitor" 1955-75) is kinda the "network" version of what Mr. Tillery would like to see locally, wouldn't you say, jmt?
cd
cd
cd637299 said:
Although the Monitor was an excellent radio program, I'm not necessarily talking about bringing back the Monitor format. What I am talking about is Full Service MOR which would include national and local news, weather, traffic, business news, sports and music along the line of the sampling I provided above.
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