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I picked up April's copy of "Radio" Magazine...

B

BoredOp0930

Guest
There was a copy of "Radio" magazine laying around, and I picked it up and read an article about the F.C.C.'s proposed rules about "localism". What do you think of it? Do you think it will come to pass?
 
BoredOp0930 said:
There was a copy of "Radio" magazine laying around, and I picked it up and read an article about the F.C.C.'s proposed rules about "localism". What do you think of it? Do you think it will come to pass?
Click to expand...

I filed comments with the FCC on this proposal.
There are several items in the proposed rulemaking-

The most draconian (from the owner's perspective) calls for 24 hour staffing of station facilities.
There is also proposed re-regulation of Main Studio and ascertainment rules.
(I'm ok with these as my station still does local programming and our main...only studios are in our city
of license)

I doubt that all of it will come to pass but you may see some additional record keeping come out of it.

While you're reading Radio Magazine- take a look at the May edition- my new studios (WLOH) are being featured.

Mark Bohach
 
Mr. Bohach,

It's nice to make your acquaintance. I personally think that station owners shouldn't be forced to have staff around the clock, but that begs the question-what did stations do BEFORE he advent of P.C.s, and AudioVaults, and the like? Stations were still able to turn the allmighty profit THEN, weren't they? I'd like to see some kind of localism rules take effect; when I entered this business, the de-evolution was starting to build up momentum, like an out-of-control coal train. The competition was ALREADY fierce for the few opportunities that existed at that time. Now, you have organizations like BAS Broadcasting and a few others that buy stations, and then "gut out" ALL or most of the staff, and then proceed to use those previously LOCAL stations to spew out satellite garbage, and for what? It's ALL about greed. I've seen this before, in different industries.

It makes me sad that the industry takes their audience for granted, with the attitude "Well, we'll just shove THIS down their throats-THEY don't know any better". If we(the industry) keep "shooting ourselves in the foot", as it were, we won't HAVE any feet left to shoot. Then, when THAT happens, everyone will be looking at each other wondering, "What HAPPENED!?"

However, in the meantime, I will pick up May's copy. I'd love to see your facilities in Lancaster. I have an aunt down there, and my girlfriend is not too far from there. Nice area.
 
BoredOp0930 said:
but that begs the question-what did stations do BEFORE he advent of P.C.s, and AudioVaults, and the like? Stations were still able to turn the allmighty profit THEN, weren't they?

It makes me sad that the industry takes their audience for granted, with the attitude "Well, we'll just shove THIS down their throats-THEY don't know any better". If we(the industry) keep "shooting ourselves in the foot", as it were, we won't HAVE any feet left to shoot. Then, when THAT happens, everyone will be looking at each other wondering, "What HAPPENED!?"

However, in the meantime, I will pick up May's copy. I'd love to see your facilities in Lancaster. I have an aunt down there, and my girlfriend is not too far from there. Nice area.
Click to expand...


As with all businesses, some did and some didn't. Many stations in smaller markets signed off at midnight. I knew one or two that went off at 10PM. AM daytimers didn't have night authority until the late 1980's.

I can't speak for other stations and how they operate.
When it comes to programming, I understand that you cannot take your audience for granted.
At WLOH, I try to balance good local programming with the best syndicated product available to me.
We produce about twenty hours of local talk shows each week plus lots of local sports.
We have a local news director, a sports director and local show hosts.
We also try to keep our website up to date as a real service to our listeners- www.wloh.net

And, yes we use an Enco system to automate much of our our on-air delivery and store our audio.
 
Mark's a great example of making a local station work in a great community with a wise allocation of resources. Good balance of top quality syndicated programming and strong local coverage. Lancaster is a better place for having WLOH.
 
GovernorV said:
Mark's a great example of making a local station work in a great community with a wise allocation of resources. Good balance of top quality syndicated programming and strong local coverage. Lancaster is a better place for having WLOH.
Click to expand...

Mr. Bohach-

You certainly do have a good variety of programming. Indians, high school, ag reports. If you need information in Fairfield or Licking counties, I'd say YOU are the ones to turn to. And, I do admire your new facilities.

You use Enco automation? That's one of the few that I'm not familiar with. Have you looked at AudioVault's "AV Sat" system?

That's what we(at AM 930 WEOL) used to use before it was changed to Scott Studios SS32. I won't say anymore about THAT.

The next time I'm down visiting during the week, I'd LOVE to see your operation, and talk "shop" over coffee.
 
You use Enco automation? That's one of the few that I'm not familiar with. Have you looked at AudioVault's "AV Sat" system?


The next time I'm down visiting during the week, I'd LOVE to see your operation, and talk "shop" over coffee.
[/quote]


I chose Enco because there is no situation it can't handle. And I can configure it to be easy to use for operators with minimal experience.

Here are a couple of examples:

When it's time to update the weather forecast- I programmed a hot button called "Record Weather"
This is a set of commands that loads the record deck with the correct cut (no looking up numbers)
and starts the recording.

We also have- "Record Stock Report", "Record Morning News" and others.

All of our local show opens, closes and bumper music are on a Mini Array labeled "local show content".
Just click to the appropriate page and you're ready to go.

To run a local ballgame, we have a command called "HS Sports Initialize"
This button disables all relay triggers from the satellites, turns off the timed commands and pulls up the appropriate
list of spots ready to play. Press the button and go!

I've worked with both Scott and AV Air/AV Sat. I like Enco's versatility better.
That said, I'm sure there are people who have had to use an Enco system that wasn't set up properly and hated it.
Like any system, the engineer setting it up is critical to it's ease (of lack therof) of use. Out of the box, the Enco is like a newborn infant- it can't do anything. But when set up properly, it's like a swiss army knife- it has a tool for any need.

If you're in the area, stop by.
 
Mark,

If I may call you that-I'd very much like to check out the Enco system in operation. I'm always interested in learning new things!
 
BoredOp0930 said:
Mark,

If I may call you that-I'd very much like to check out the Enco system in operation. I'm always interested in learning new things!
Click to expand...

Prophet's NexGen system is the best - bar none. And no Clear Channel didn't invent it. AMFM did. CC got Prophet when they bought AMFM back in 2000.

I've used AV and Maestro, both of which are better than Enco from what my friends who have used it have told me. But as Mark has pointed out perhaps Enco wasn't set up to be as user friendly as he has it.

Prophet never crashes (unlike Maestro).

Prophet can run wavs, mp3's or mp2's. CC uses mp2s b/c of sending audio over it's WAN. Easier and faster with mp2s than with wavs, which would take forever to send.

Now Google has bought Scott Studios. Scott is close behind Prophet for best automation system.


If you want one at a cost effective price try SAM Broadcaster. Only $279!! Music scheduler another $299. SAM allows for ad insertion on streams and more.

SAM can be used for terrestrial, LPFM or internet stations.
 
As far as reliability, the original Prophet was the BESTEST. You knew that system was made BY broadcasters, FOR broadcasters. With NexGen, they tried to get real "windows cutsie" too quick. The subsequent improvements made to NexGen, though, have really made it the benchmark. We run all of our channels at Sirius on NG...it really is the best if you can afford it.
 
Hello Mark.

As you and I both know, there is a different dynamic for the small operator competing against group owners; as opposed to "the good old days" when we were one of many operators in the market. Hard to justify full staffing when you have one competitor--with a half dozen stations--running the place with two people around.

At least we've found that many local advertisers buy companies, not stations. Makes a difference..

TomT--further on down Rt 33.
 
I learned on AudioVault's AV Sat. That was quite the change from using carts, CDs, and mini-disks in college!! When I went to Parkersburg, WV I used Scott Studios. I then worked for Clear Channel Parkersburg where I used NexGen. I've found that Scott is good IF you just have music, and limited satellite programming. NexGen is good all around, but it had it's problems(which may have been limited to Parkersburg), like the display being messed up every other day. As for the production and voice tracking end, Scott's TLC is the best, in my opinion. The AV RPS made me type my behind off, and it didn't have ripping capability. However, that being said, they ALL have their pros and cons. They sure beat carts ANY day!! Remember that certain cart that sounded like it was played under water? You threw it away after you played it, and it just kept reappearing!! Arrrgh!!
 
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