Heard, Delmarva's Wilmington and Milford Stations are doing the radio thon again

[radio19720]

Do they know how BAD this was last year? I listen to WDEL normally and it was the one time I switched to KYW and WILM. They must make a crap load of money for an infomercial for a hospital that is raking in the bucks. I heard the promo and could not believe there is going to be a year number 2 for this crap. Good bye WDEL. Hope your new downstate station works well.

 

[Silkie]

New York also doing one again this year.

 

[radio19720]

Total Mistake. Does one in Management listen to this? I tried to listen last year, it was brutal. They (the radio stations) must make a boat load of money on this. With radio where it is today, I just don't understand. Don't you want every listener you can? This is a great chance to sample. Would scare the shi* out me if ratings were involved. Glad I got out 10 years ago when radio was real

 

[MikefromDelaware]

I probably won't listen to much of the radiothon, but I give Delmarva Broadcasting much credit for doing something to help raise money for a worthy cause. A lot of kids get helped there at AI DuPont Hospital. It's just one way Delmarva can give something back to the community. That's not a bad thing to do.

It's kind of like when WHYY-FM does one of their begathons. They'll lose many of their normal listeners, but they'll come back after, so will WDEL's listeners that tune out for the radiothon will be back. WDEL's got something going for it, unique programming. So if you like Melanie and Peter in the morning, or Al Massitti's talk, Allan Ludell's news and interviews, or Rick Jensen's talk, only one place to hear those folks at WDEL 1150 or WDEL.com.

Will WDEL.com be carrying the radiothon or will their normal programming be online?

 

[amfm.com]

Sure they're probably making nice money off of it, but the hospital is too - the Web sites say over a hundred grand last year. And like Mike said - it's some giving back and if someone doesn't listen for a couple of days, it's not likely to change an overall listening pattern. Mix in Baltimore for Hopkins and WOGL in Philly does it for Children's Hosp. Doesn't look like their ratings are taking a hit. Worse things in the world than being known for helping sick kids for a couple of days.

 

[johndavis]

With radio where it is today, I just don't understand.

What, you think everyone should be a jukebox with more music and less talk run out of a closet with voicetracks sent in from far away? I'm glad you're out of the business.

The stations I work for in a major market does a Radiothon every December. They sell a few advertising packages, but we don't view it as a moneymaker (we sell the packages to cover the expenses of producing the broadcast from the hospital) it's a way to build goodwill with the community and serve the community. We've done it for 10 years. Originally, it was 3 days, now it's two, and we still play a decent amount of music every hour. We try to balance what's good for the radio station with what's good for the hospital, since if we drive the audience away, the phone won't ring.

But for us, it's more than a two day remote. Most of jocks stay in touch with the families we meet during the broadcasts, not because we've been told to do so, but because it's become a part of our lives. One jock and his wife started a charity that benefits the cancer center. We've been to a few high school graduations - and more than our fair share of funerals. That's what I call real radio.

 

[corporateradio]

Guys I am not a fan of it either but as one said it makes them look good in the community. I am a fan of the hospital been there with my kid on a couple of occasions. My only question is how bad is the hospital really hurting for $$$?

To all the stations involved I wish you luck but it's a cume killer.

 

[jhguthlac]

DBC did their's the week after WOGL ran their children's hospital radiothon. Its just a matter of giving back to the community. How often does CC do any of that?