is it me or are the powers that be out of touch?

[R.D.P.]

Moody and AFR are all we have.

To bring a WAY FM and/or K-Love type station, to my market, wouldn't work out. Already tried doing that and didn't have any success.

Even if I can get something going, I'm going to copy AFR and Moody and run with that.

Yes I know that the yapping and traditional based music is boring but that's the ticket to Christian Radio's success in West Central Alabama.

WMBV 91.9 FM from Dixons Mills Alabama, has been broadcasting since 1988 and still continues to experience success.

Since switching over to Classic Christian, WAQU 91.1 FM is now beginning to see the success, they've been wanting to have.

We also have several Radio stations, that cater to Black Gospel, at various times during the week.

R.D.P. <><

P.S. If it weren't for AFR and Moody, my area would be without Christian Radio period.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

P.S. If it weren't for AFR and Moody, my area would be without Christian Radio period.

If I lived in the area, as far as I am concerned, there still would be no Christian radio. DX'er I was, DX'er I would have to be - or get up to date programming by satellite or streaming. I was "shut out" by Christian radio in Daytona Beach when I lived there. The only solution was to pay through the nose to put my own show on the air. This issue is close to my heart, because in Daytona Beach - Spring Break destination for college kids - there was absolutely no Christian radio for them. I would have hated to be a Christian station owner in that area who died - went to judgement, and had to answer for all those kids I did NOT reach, because Insp made better "business sense".

 

[anotherguyTN]

RDP,

You might not have been able to get the translator to work out, but EMF could possibly buy a station in the future from somewhere you least expect. They bought stations in my area that I would have never expected to be doing a CCM format. There were a lot of people in West TN who said there weren't enough people who wanted a CCM station. K-LOVE came in and proved them wrong. The same thing could happen in Selma.

 

[R.D.P.]

You may be right, although I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

Speaking of that Translator, when Rev. Glenn King brings it back, he is going to do a rebroadcast of WMBV 91.9 FM from Dixons Mills.  Found that out, while visiting the FCC's Web Site, a few weeks ago.  

That's right everyone.  Moody will have two stations, here in Selma, when they make their return.  (WRNF 89.5 FM and W232AN 94.3 FM)

Also we're fixing to get our first all Black Gospel Radio station.  WJUS 1310 AM in Marion Alabama, is moving to Selma.  Once the move is completed, WJUS will switch over to Black Gospel. This station is also owned by Rev. Glenn King.

Many of you reading, may find this boring but when your hometown has a major crime problem and countless other troubles, you too would be thanking God for these blessings He's bestowing on it.

I just hope and Pray that WRNF, W232AN and WJUS will have a powerful impact, on my hometown, once they relocate and/or sign on. 

R.D.P. <><

 

[jegrant]

Although it's only one station for now, AFR actually has a fourth format: Christian CHR.

I would also be very interested in hearing more about this. I have a hard time believing that such a conservative group as AFR would even get near the Chr. CHR format, and I would be even more surprised if they were executing it well.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

I called AFR in the middle 90's about starting a second network that was CHR. I was basically laughed at on the phone, and they transferred me to some very rude lady who thought I wanted to put an AFR station on the air.

I called Moody in the same time period, and the guy I talked to was pleasant enough, but totally out of touch with reality. He was firmly convinced teenagers and young professionals were excited at the prospect of getting Moody programming instead of CCM / CHR. He really believed that --- poor fellow.

Money. That's all Christian radio is about. And the people running it - making money. I have not met more than a handful of people in Christian radio that give a hoot about salvations, rededications, or changed lives. Its about the $$$$. I'm DONE with it myself. I thought I had it right when I said that ratings = potential salvations = revenue. But a lot of the ones I met have a network of old cronies that hand them a tape and a check each week, they broker the station that way and make a safe, comfortable income with virtually NO ratings. Ichabod.

 

[anotherguyTN]

AFR's inspo network is more contemporary than in the past. I've said this before, but musically AFR's AC CCM network is OK, and they occasionally lean toward CHR, but between songs they sound "older" and are almost the same as the inspo and classic gospel networks. Nothing is done to differentiate them in their bumpers, announcers, etc. If you listen to any of them between songs they all sound the same. The only real difference is during the times the music is being played, although there is getting to be more overlapping between the inspo and AC networks.

I'd expect the inspo and CG networks to have an older sound, but the CCM network needs to have a livelier sound and a different name. The same goes for the CHR network if it takes off, but I won't be surprised if it doesn't happen. Although I'll tune by them at times, I really don't listen to them that much since K-LOVE and WAY-FM (and hopefully Air 1 soon) are in different parts of the areas where I live and work, and even the local Dove network sounds better than AFR.

I don't know if it happens anywhere else, but WAMP 88.1, the AFR AC CCM station in Jackson, TN, goes local at night from 6 to 9 PM on weeknights and 10 PM on weekends, and it goes more rock/rap/CHR than anything else from AFR at any other time.

 

[xmusicmatt]

I'd be curious to know where AFR is doing 24/7 CHR.

 

[anotherguyTN]

I'd be curious to know where AFR is doing 24/7 CHR.

I asked that earlier as well. Still waiting for an answer.

 

[William_Yeager]

I can't find the article, but it's one of their Louisiana stations.

 

[ChiefEngineer]

Money. That's all Christian radio is about. And the people running it - making money. I have not met more than a handful of people in Christian radio that give a hoot about salvations, rededications, or changed lives. Its about the $$$$. I'm DONE with it myself. I thought I had it right when I said that ratings = potential salvations = revenue. But a lot of the ones I met have a network of old cronies that hand them a tape and a check each week, they broker the station that way and make a safe, comfortable income with virtually NO ratings. Ichabod.

I agree. Long lines of stations with "Christian" programming and no interest in being a ministry.

It is an uphill struggle to keep a ccm station on. Churches would rather support secular stations when promoting a marriage conference or church event. More unchurched reached rather than reaching another's flock.

Christian business owners don't support Christian Radio like they should. Might scare their secular customers.

What keeps small operators from giving up?

And play the other side on this with "giving up"... Where is the responsibility for those that give up? Just wondering. Not judging.

 

[neutralobserver]

I was "shut out" by Christian radio in Daytona Beach when I lived there. The only solution was to pay through the nose to put my own show on the air. This issue is close to my heart, because in Daytona Beach - Spring Break destination for college kids - there was absolutely no Christian radio for them. I would have hated to be a Christian station owner in that area who died - went to judgement, and had to answer for all those kids I did NOT reach, because Insp made better "business sense".

Can this get any more absurd?

Program a radio station for a group of high school and college kids who visit five days a year, never get a diary, can never help generate revenue, and would never turn your station on anyway?? Bruce, such ideas make it a good thing you were "shut out!" Time and time again, you've shown that you don't understand radio and that you have a very unusual (read: "made it up yourself") understanding of demographics and segmenting.

"Christian radio does nothing for the newly-married, teenage, know-they-could-beat-everybody-on-The-Apprentice, urban, Panera-Bread-eating, hair-product-using, under-employed, audiobook-listening, shop-at-Walgreens, vaulted-ceiling-loving, remarried, X-Box-playing, cell-phone-only, blue-collar, glasses-wearing, low-humidity-loving, megachurch-attending, single, teenage, roller-blading, rural, curly-haired, beach-vacationing, recently-divorced, Scion-driving, cluttered-kitchen, white-collar, engaged-to-be-married, khaki-wearin', Tempurpedic-bed-wanting, retirement-aspiring, My-Space-surfing, Christmas-and-Easter-only, poor-posture, Texas-Hold-'Em-playing, sandal-and-Croc-sporting, broccoli-hating, Ugly-Betty-watching, suburban, stick-two-dollars-in-and-do-it-yourself-car-washing, young professionals, and I'm furious about and personally offended by it even though I'm almost triple their age, whatever their age is or isn't!"

What in the world does that even mean?? You don't even know, and, yet, you spout it over and over. You don't even seem to notice some of it is self-contradictory.

As you point out here and in many other posts, you keep getting "shut out," turned down, not called back, and so on. Why do you keep taking it to mean that we/they are all wrong??!?? Anytime I'm rejected, I first examine myself -- what did I not know, not notice, not include in my thought process, not take into account, not include in my approach, and/or not bring to the table? Was I trying to do what I wanted for my pleasure or what God wanted? It seems you guys never think like that...you never listen to or consider the message that is being sent to you over and over.

This thread -- and this forum -- gets more nutty every day. Does no one else recall that the original post asked specifically about Christian AC?? Why have you "usuals" even entered the discussion when you know nothing about the subject and are just repeating what you've already written literally dozens of times? No one cares that you "think" or "feel" whatever you do about it, for you have nothing but your personal (and often highly far-from-normal) experiences or preferences on which to base anything.

Have you people not noticed that pros have abandoned this section because of the ignorance, foolishness, and unwillingness to listen and learn of you "enthusiasts?" You would rather gripe and maintain the lunatic misconceptions spouted on the internet than learn the actual truth about how and why things are done. Some of you even appear to honestly believe that the pros sit around and scheme how to screw you or your favorite target group, and others go as far as to label pros "money-grubbers" who care nothing about the spiritual aspects. Well, you're wrong. Absolutely, completely, totally, 100% wrong.

Look, this site sells ads targeted at industry pros; that should suggest to you "enthusiasts" the actual target audience of the site. If you continue with the ill-informed, nonstop whining and griping and chase away all the pros to whom the ads are targeted, you put the site at great risk of failure. From what I've seen, there is already much-reduced participation from pros across all the boards due to the dominance of you "enthusiasts." I would suggest -- and I know many, many others who would say the same -- that the only use pros have at this point is the strategic or tactical spreading of disinformation.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Can this get any more absurd?

Program a radio station for a group of high school and college kids who visit five days a year, never get a diary, can never help generate revenue, and would never turn your station on anyway?? Bruce, such ideas make it a good thing you were "shut out!" Time and time again, you've shown that you don't understand radio and that you have a very unusual (read: "made it up yourself") understanding of demographics and segmenting.

"Christian radio does nothing for the newly-married, teenage, know-they-could-beat-everybody-on-The-Apprentice, urban, Panera-Bread-eating, hair-product-using, under-employed, audiobook-listening, shop-at-Walgreens, vaulted-ceiling-loving, remarried, X-Box-playing, cell-phone-only, blue-collar, glasses-wearing, low-humidity-loving, megachurch-attending, single, teenage, roller-blading, rural, curly-haired, beach-vacationing, recently-divorced, Scion-driving, cluttered-kitchen, white-collar, engaged-to-be-married, khaki-wearin', Tempurpedic-bed-wanting, retirement-aspiring, My-Space-surfing, Christmas-and-Easter-only, poor-posture, Texas-Hold-'Em-playing, sandal-and-Croc-sporting, broccoli-hating, Ugly-Betty-watching, suburban, stick-two-dollars-in-and-do-it-yourself-car-washing, young professionals, and I'm furious about and personally offended by it even though I'm almost triple their age, whatever their age is or isn't!"

What in the world does that even mean?? You don't even know, and, yet, you spout it over and over. You don't even seem to notice some of it is self-contradictory.

As you point out here and in many other posts, you keep getting "shut out," turned down, not called back, and so on. Why do you keep taking it to mean that we/they are all wrong??!?? Anytime I'm rejected, I first examine myself -- what did I not know, not notice, not include in my thought process, not take into account, not include in my approach, and/or not bring to the table? Was I trying to do what I wanted for my pleasure or what God wanted? It seems you guys never think like that...you never listen to or consider the message that is being sent to you over and over.

This thread -- and this forum -- gets more nutty every day. Does no one else recall that the original post asked specifically about Christian AC?? Why have you "usuals" even entered the discussion when you know nothing about the subject and are just repeating what you've already written literally dozens of times? No one cares that you "think" or "feel" whatever you do about it, for you have nothing but your personal (and often highly far-from-normal) experiences or preferences on which to base anything.

Have you people not noticed that pros have abandoned this section because of the ignorance, foolishness, and unwillingness to listen and learn of you "enthusiasts?" You would rather gripe and maintain the lunatic misconceptions spouted on the internet than learn the actual truth about how and why things are done. Some of you even appear to honestly believe that the pros sit around and scheme how to screw you or your favorite target group, and others go as far as to label pros "money-grubbers" who care nothing about the spiritual aspects. Well, you're wrong. Absolutely, completely, totally, 100% wrong.

Look, this site sells ads targeted at industry pros; that should suggest to you "enthusiasts" the actual target audience of the site. If you continue with the ill-informed, nonstop whining and griping and chase away all the pros to whom the ads are targeted, you put the site at great risk of failure. From what I've seen, there is already much-reduced participation from pros across all the boards due to the dominance of you "enthusiasts." I would suggest -- and I know many, many others who would say the same -- that the only use pros have at this point is the strategic or tactical spreading of disinformation.

OK - that's enough. Can you possibly get more insulting?! Your attitude on the Religious and Contemporary Christian board is decided UN-CHRISTLIKE.

I can see right away that your focus is not reaching the lost through Christian radio - the people who need Christ the most - the ones you describe in the second paragraph - ARE the focus of Christian radio, and if not, they ought to be. If Christian radio is to have the slightest hope of being a ministry as well as a business, it needs to stop feeding the fat, baby sheep and start reaching out to the lost at the risk of being irrelevant.

You know what - I've had a belly full of "self examination" posts on this board. They should be more like "self serving" on the part of the author. When I have been at a Christian station where the husband of the daughter of the owner goes and gets a case of beer, where one of the engineers and junior programmers put a hole in the bathroom door trying to get a girl, where one of the preachers on the air is an abusive husband, where another preacher smokes so excessively it makes you sick to smell his clothes - and so forth and so on - there is NOT a lot of SELF examination necessary. The problem is the other programmers, a lack of genuine salvation and repentance on their part, and an attitude of "let's take the checks from preachers and the hell with the listeners and ratings we're making a living".

Christian AC is a joke. It isn't getting anybody saved, the soccer mom demographic doesn't really exist, the stations make a go of it based on a set of church members that are too scared to listen to secular because it might be compromising with the world.

As far as the site - it was my understanding it was for industry pros as well as interested amateurs and radio fans. The industry pros who are on here are to be applauded, they are listening to radio fans and listeners, and might actually be able to improve their stations as a result.

If you don't like me, that's YOUR problem. I wouldn't let the sun go down on it, personally, but you do with it as the Lord directs you. I certainly harbor no ill will towards you, you obviously do towards me, you've made your statement that you totally disrespect me and don't like me - I think everybody "gets it". Now move on, discuss posts, and at least TRY to respect other people. I'll leave your disgustingly hateful post in tact without reporting it, it doesn't affect me or my walk with Christ, and I'll let the whole world see your rant so they will know you as a fool.

 

[neutralobserver]

OK - that's enough. Can you possibly get more insulting?!

I wasn't being insulting, at all. I was simply being descriptive, and you've chosen to take it as being insulting....which I find quite enlightening. In addition, you don't appear to have answered a single question or challenge in the post, showing that you're here to make speeches but not engage in conversation.

Your attitude on the Religious and Contemporary Christian board is decided UN-CHRISTLIKE.

Really? How 'bout Christ's actions with the moneychangers' perverting what the place was for for their own possible gain? (You know, just like you are doing here.) Was Christ "UN-CHRISTLIKE?" He did the same thing....with an even stronger tone!

You have a fascinating perspective, Bruce.

I can see right away that your focus is not reaching the lost through Christian radio...

Thank you for once again confirming what I wrote above -- "Some of you even appear to honestly believe that the pros sit around and scheme how to screw you or your favorite target group, and others go as far as to label pros "money-grubbers" who care nothing about the spiritual aspects."

I'll repeat what I wrote then -- "Well, you're wrong. Absolutely, completely, totally, 100% wrong."

...the people who need Christ the most - the ones you describe in the second paragraph - ARE the focus of Christian radio, and if not, they ought to be.

Bruce, don't just make these accusations. Please make the case for programming a radio station for a group of tourists who may or may not show up for five days a year....! Your target audience will never establish residence, never help provide a cent of revenue, never know you exist, and never want to listen to you. Ok........go!

If Christian radio is to have the slightest hope of being a ministry as well as a business, it needs to stop feeding the fat, baby sheep and start reaching out to the lost at the risk of being irrelevant.

Christian radio has become more accessible, palatable, and engaging than ever. It is doing exactly what you're asking for, but, since it's not your exact taste, you either can't or refuse to see it.

You know what - I've had a belly full of "self examination" posts on this board.

Well, three things:

1. I don't exactly understand what that's supposed to mean.
2. Even though you've had a "belly full" ???, you haven't considered any of them. Repeating something I said only a short time earlier, the same message keeps coming to you over and over, and you're ignoring it.
3. You've never actually done that self-examination that should be done with each such rejection. Again, Bruce, you keep getting the same message from everyone you've been going to...look, maybe it is you.

When I have been at a Christian station where the husband of the daughter of the owner goes and gets a case of beer, where one of the engineers and junior programmers put a hole in the bathroom door trying to get a girl, where one of the preachers on the air is an abusive husband, where another preacher smokes so excessively it makes you sick to smell his clothes - and so forth and so on - there is NOT a lot of SELF examination necessary. The problem is the other programmers, a lack of genuine salvation and repentance on their part, and an attitude of "let's take the checks from preachers and the hell with the listeners and ratings we're making a living".

I'm sorry, Bruce, but I'm going to need the names and phone numbers of every single person you've just mentioned so I can check it out for myself! After all, exactly quoting you from elsewhere, "I want FACTS FROM ORIGINAL SOURCES - not your word for it."

What does it sound like having your exact words and demands repeated back to you?
That's why reflection and self-examination is so important.

By the way, I don't really want anybody's name or number. (It's really weird that I felt like I had to say that.)

Christian AC is a joke.

Based on what objective data?

It isn't getting anybody saved,...

Based on what objective data?

...the soccer mom demographic doesn't really exist,...

Sure it does!

But what's the point of the statement? I can tell you're making an assumption, but are you even right?

...the stations make a go of it based on a set of church members that are too scared to listen to secular because it might be compromising with the world.

Bruce, you may not know this, but Arbitron provides a table of data showing each station all the other stations it shares listeners/listening with. Never in my life have I seen a station that has zeroes in all the other stations' columns. The truth is Christian stations generally share with all other stations that appeal to listeners of similar demographic and psychographic characteristics.

As a matter of fact, I believe there's a stat floating around that says something like 40-60% of Christian AC listeners aren't Christians and never go to church.

As far as the site - it was my understanding it was for industry pros as well as interested amateurs and radio fans.

Oh, it absolutely is! You're absolutely welcome. But look at the ads -- if we pros exit, and that has been the result of the kind of posting you're doing, those ads are worthless to those paying the freight.

The industry pros who are on here are to be applauded, they are listening to radio fans and listeners, and might actually be able to improve their stations as a result.

No, that's false. See, people who somehow find boards like this and then go posting a whole bunch of stuff when radio's not even their field are not normal or typical. Because "broadcasting" is just that, we don't pay attention to people who are way out of the norm. There are no radio pros here who are changing anything as a result of what's said by "enthusiasts."

If you don't like me,...I certainly harbor no ill will towards you, you obviously do towards me, you've made your statement that you totally disrespect me and don't like me....

Wait...this is weird. Just like another poster, you seem to think this is about "liking," "disliking," "hating," "agreeing with," or "not agreeing with" you. That just couldn't be farther from the truth.

I'll leave your disgustingly hateful post....

It wasn't "hateful," at all. There was a hint of frustration, but, otherwise, it contained no emotion, whatsoever.

...in tact without reporting it...

Ah....you've been the one!

...it doesn't affect me or my walk with Christ, and I'll let the whole world see your rant so they will know you as a fool.

Bruce, there's no doubt that eyes are being opened.

And let me point out once again that, in this attack of me, you didn't answer my post in any way.

 

[radioelizabeth]

And let me point out once again that, in this attack of me, you didn't answer my post in any way.

Yeah...that is called ad hom.

Sort of. Your argument was dismissed because it came from you, but the argument itself wasn't really refuted at all. And you were insulted.

Usually occurs when one realizes they have no argument or are losing the fight.

I left this board a while back...for the reasons you listed. Most of the pros I talk to might lurk here on occassion...but certainly not in any kind of effort to research how to do better radio.

Boards and forums are pretty much just places for people to spout opinions and have a psuedo platform. This is why all this "drama" on the board is encouraged and yet, kept in check. The site gets hits and they can pitch those impressions through the sales department. Then, when those who are most apt to create drama and stir the board complain about a poster, mods will be certain the users with most activity don't go anywhere. That is just good business. I mean, why shut down a thread that generates hits? Why remove or ban a member that frequents the board?

All that being said... this isnt a board for pros to find out how to program. Its an absurd notion to think any quality PD is sitting lurking waiting for the "aha!" moment when an amateur comes up with the solution to all the ratings problems they face.

Seriously.

Out of touch with what?

Quality programmers make sure they are IN TOUCH with their target. Their target. Not the target of the wannabe pd.

And as far as Christlike guides on a secular board? Come on...this is not a church. There is no accountability here, outside of general secular rules that apply to believer and non believer alike.

The thread on Carman was especially sad to read. Dear God...may those who participated find themselves in a position of profile and spotlight, where stalkers and critics hound your every day, where the expectations put on you, by others, may or may not take into consideration a multitude of things, and someone can start an entire discussion bashing you because you aren't in the room to defend yourself. All in the name of what? Sad.

Neutral... your post was rather refreshing. I havent read this board in quite a while...but you make great points that have yet to be refuted, and truth be told...simply can't be.

So...expect the ad hom attack...

Its one of the reasons, on top of some of the arbitrary moderation that is bound to happen when drama is stirred, I dont post on this board, and refuse to......but this one time now...just because Neutral...I thought you deserved a kudo and wasnt' sure if you would get it.

Cya.