Some great remarks regarding editing and even remixing. To keep this simple as we segue into another "Is That All There Is" topic, there's a 6:27 version of the song "Beginnings" by Chicago on YouTube. I'd be happy if that version played. It's an edited version as the full length song found on YouTube as well that's 7:55 in length. What's missing in the shorter version is that long, protracted ending where "Only the beginning" is repeated over and over. Just my opinion but regardless of a radio station making the edits themselves or utilizing one of the edited versions that significantly cuts the length of the song, I believe it doesn't do the song justice. It's a brilliant song IMO and to air a very short version of it is just not right.
Buried in the last page, ron772 said "They (meaning Soft AC WOSN) don't promote much of anything. The imaging is basically the same handful of IDs they've run for close to a decade. It's very generic to be honest, and kind of sad that it doesn't matter."
I can attest that in my 7+ years living on The Treasure Coast, it's like time does stand still on WOSN. They are a part of a mom & pop cluster that also has a Country, Hot AC, Adult Hits (Jack FM,) and News/Talk via FM translator formats. The other Treasure Coast station we've referenced, iHeart's Classic Hits, WQOL, has significantly updated their playlist, rebranded, and their jingles and voice imagining isn't at all stale. It changes. There's also different imaging during long, holiday weekends when they offer special programing.
One of the unique aspects of WOSN is their Sunday morning jazz brunch feature. This was once common on many stations as a music specialty feature on Sunday mornings. There was a dedicated host to that program who is no longer on the station. What happened...I have no idea. Longtime radio personality, Hamp Elliott who hosts WOSN's morning drive has now been hosting Sunday morning jazz as well. There was also a midday weekend host I heard regularly who I haven't for a while now either. Can there be financial issues?
While we as listeners can delight in 6 or 7 minutes of commercials per hour on WOSN instead of around 15 minutes per hour on WQOL, I can also assume WQOL is in better financial shape. And all of this kind of reminds me of those radio consolidation days. I do hear a good number of national spots on WQOL along with local ads. I would think because of iHeart's size and perhaps their reputation in classic hits formats, there are Agency buys.
Looking back to the days when radio talent was falling by the wayside, I couldn't help but think, "Is That All There Is" to a career. It's the nature of the beast. In my own profession I experienced a lot of downsizing initiatives. Eventually, I became a victim and before that there were a lot of tense moments where you never knew when you're time was up. It probably explains why I spoke up for talent a lot on these radio boards.
While I understand why cost-cutting measures occur, I also think there has to be effort to grow your station. Allowing it to get stagnant doesn't make any business sense.
What's interesting about The Treasure Coast is its proximity to West Palm radio stations. But not all of the area, especially the very northern Treasure Coast benefits from that. I don't remember the calls, but there was an AC that broadcast out of the Stuart area. I picked up the station just fine in the Vero area. It's now a Christian music station, at least that's what it flipped to a few years ago. To the best of my knowledge, The Treasure Coast doesn't have a traditional AC format.
There's an area of Port St. Lucie called "Tradition" that has grown tremendously over the last few years. They're south enough to be able to hear a lot of West Palm stations. My understanding is many young families have moved there. They can't build schools and hospitals fast enough. There's opportunity for radio IMO.
I'm not sure if iHeart is still in the business of buying radio stations. They don't have a very large presence on The Treasure Coast. Anyway, I think the ball is certainly in Vero Beach Broadcasters/Treasure & Space Coast Radio court to do something instead of standing still. I really think mom & pop operators can be a great alternative to the giants, but they need to stand out, not just exist.