Is there ANY hope for radio

[awp69]

Wait, I thought you could be maxed out and still have translators? I don't think they count towards ownership counts, do they?

I'd be curious about this as well. I know there's other stations in the market with HD programming (or at least there used to be - I don't have an HD Radio anymore). You'd think if it was an extra way for corporate to bring in some more cash, they'd be putting translators to use for the same purposes. I'm sure there's other frequencies still open in GSP to use -- particularly if it isn't something that would compete with its own stations, like JAMZ did with Chuck and X, which obviously targets a completely different demo.

Again, I know this doesn't give back the same local radio of yesteryear as far as airtalent, but it does give listeners more choice -- which would be a big way to counter the threat from satellite/Internet radio services.

 

[TheBigA]

Wait, I thought you could be maxed out and still have translators? I don't think they count towards ownership counts, do they?

They do.

 

[carolinaradio]

That's entirely new to me. Then again, I never gave these much thought as they're leased. How does Cumulus have 4 FMs plus 2 translators in Atlanta? I thought you could only have 5 on FM. Are the rules different when translators are involved?

 

[MarkSC]

5 is the max for GSP. It would be a larger number in ATL because there are more stations there.

 

[Scooter Lesley]

Greetingz...once again,...y'all remember me...Scooter "Back To The Subject" Lesley here, and yes,...I do believe that there is hope for Radio. Pardon me, while I, again present...A Keen Grasp Of The Obvious": What all the corp stations are doing has failed! Any contiue-unce will also fail,...as it flips...flops,...but yet does anything, but fly. So, for the afore mentioned hope,...GM's, put down those smelly camel dung cigars, and here the deeecreee: In order to see both billing, and double-digit ratings, you must...Overhaul It All! EARTH FM is a good example. Already, the playlist picker a MAGIC has begun scratchin' his head, and adding a few tunes...all because of the new EARTH FM. The problem here is the GM at MAGIC has been snowed in believing that the picker knows how to pick! If any station is runnning more than 9 & a half commercial minutes per hour, they are killing their TSL. You say...EARTH will fail. Well, if that does happen, it will be coverage, not product. Corp Radio, your product is less than acceptable...DO SOMETHING...or better yet, hire a PD that knows how to...DO SOMETHING!!
Donn the snow goggles, and stop paying those that are merely pretending to know how!

 

[TheBigA]

Corp Radio, your product is less than acceptable...DO SOMETHING...or better yet, hire a PD that knows how to...DO SOMETHING!!

Everyone thinks they have the answers, but no one has any money. Nor is anyone willing to take a risk. Back in 1966, Tom Donohue was the top DJ at KYA, the big Top 40 station in San Francisco. But he was sick and tired of the corporate radio rat race. Yes, even in 1966. So he went to KMPX-FM, a station at the bottom of the ratings, with an offer the owner couldn't refuse: Hire me for no salary, but a share of the profits. The owner took the deal, and Tom created the first progressive rock radio station in the country. It was a hit. Then Tom got an even better deal at KSAN, so he took his staff there and built a legendary station. He took the risk, and got a piece of the pie.

Today, programming people are a dime a dozen, and none of them want to take a risk. They want a guaranteed salary plus benefits. The only people willing to take risks are the money people. They're risking billions, and would love to find like-minded programmers. But everyone wants a job. And you wonder why things sound this way.

You want them to run fewer spots, but hire more staff. The math doesn't work. You need to come up with a business plan that the suits will understand. Speak their language. Until you do, you're just another out of work former DJ who wants a job. There are thousands of them.

 

[freqdev]

amen biga

 

[Scooter Lesley]

Well,...Freqdev(aka BigA, Jr.), we all knew that you would agree,...with as few words as possible. However, for me, for once BigA...very well put, and clearly understandable. My main point was, and is here...that things are changing. Not because I or anyone else wants them to, but for..."Desire". It can only be contained for so long. Yes, for Radio it takes both money, and oppertunity. EARTH had a little of both...performing a Lap Dance. They could either sit still or split the uprights. As is, they are an example. Regarding success or failure, it will depend on who you ask. As I said, in an earlier post,...Coverage is their problem, not product. Some posters here state...Punch-out, when something 60's is aired, but they do return. There are a lot of former Programmers, including me, that find flaws in their format, but that comes with our mindset. I'm not too good to be Newscaster, on anyone's Morning Show, but no one is paying for those either,...YET(a southern term for pending). WESC let-go Roger Davis, one of the best News guys to ever crack a Live mic!
So, I ask, aside from EARTH, is there another group getting (today) a Lap Dance? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

 

[Gatekeeper007]

The question was is there ANY hope for radio, the answer is YES.

 

[clemsonbloke]

Well Scooter everyone wants to argue with us about the corporate/consultant/ radio versus the more free form but I noticed Earth has started using what we've said here. I was driving over in the Wade Hampton area yesterday and had Earth on (pretty much stays on now) and I loved it every time KC Carson would say "we're not corporate radio folks"! I thought to myself "heck yeah and more people need to get on that bandwagon". I love how they've started saying that they're the alternative to corporate radio and doing things the "old" way as they put it. I wish they'd get those few "re-recorded " tunes from the $2 family dollar bin out of their system and put the originals on but other than that I really have no huge complaints. I think they're doing a pretty good job and I enjoy listening to KC in the afternoons. I know that I can always tune into Earth and get the music I want, the local news and happenings, and of course I can get the weather. I also love how they push local record stores and owners like Gene Berger's "Horizon Records". I've heard them push Horizon a few times on Earth, so refreshing to hear them talk about our town and the great things about it. Nothing better than local radio and I think they're doing a pretty good job so far.

 

[carolinaradio]

Magic isn't threatened by Earth FM.

Magic's listeners, the majority, don't want to hear The Ronettes and The Everly Brothers. Earth's don't want to hear Katy Perry and Maroon 5. If Earth had any kind of focus, it might be different, but I think Earth's potential is over-estimated here as long as they continue in their current form. Earth is mostly a 55+ station currently and will have little to no impact on Magic's 25-54's. They need to decide if they want to be a real "oldies" station or be a classic hits station. They are trying to be both and it doesn't work. I'm glad you all like it, but as I've said, it's not my cup of tea. I wish them success, but it's going to be difficult to find on their current path.

I actually listened to most of Magic's '80s lunch yesterday and was thinking that they sound pretty decent these days.

 

[freqdev]

"we're not corporate radio folks" because none of us could keep our jobs there.

 

[awp69]

"we're not corporate radio folks" because none of us could keep our jobs there.

....because corporate was too focused on slashing budgets than keeping good talent.

Anyway, I have nothing but admiration for what Earth is trying to do. Independent, locally run radio is great. But I do have to agree with carolinaradio, that I'm not sure how well they're going to peform with their current mix of music. It's too broad and, as he mentioned, isn't exactly pointed at the money demo.

I'd love independent radio stations for any genre so they can at least have more local talent and can maybe go outside of the box with some music that is different and not pushed by the big music companies. You still have to be realistic, though, because even though big corporations have continued to kill radio with voice tracking, limited playlists, etc., in the end you still have to at least make some profit to succeed.

 

[Jpdjsc]

actually WKRI and Earth have some same categories or genres or what we may, Earth is more polished to a point, Earth may trim their playlist to avoid too many in unknown hits we dont want to listen, funny I was on treadmill other morning thought I would stream 103.3 and music with Ids , no Love & Hudson, now back to WKRI, they had a good thing going til they brought that "NUT" on from 4-7,,still hoping Earth gets a bigger foot print

 

[Scooter Lesley]

Some here...seem to be over-looking the simptum: One poster blogs, Magic isn't threatened by Earth. OK, here's the simptum..."Reaction".
A year ago Magic wasn't adding songs to their (Awww-ful!) playlist.
As I've said, with Earth, the problem is coverage, not product. Earth enters with a Wide & Deep playlist, and Magic clearly "Reacts"...by adding songs. The biggest problem is that there is no one on staff with the smarts to know...what to add! Earth is not strong enough to infect an illness, just the simptum! For Carolinaradio,...if it walks like a duck!

 

[more kilowatts]

As I've said, with Earth, the problem is coverage, not product.

Please! Please! Earth, the time is long overdue to reunite the 103's!!! Put Earth on 103.9. While it won't equal a 100 kW TX on a mountain, it would substantially increase their coverage area.103.9 does very well with its 6kW signal. At least us folks in Pickens county, northern Anderson county, and southern Greenville county would have a listenable signal.

 

[jamesh]

"we're not corporate radio folks" because none of us could keep our jobs there.

That's what happens when you borrow billions (with a b) that you can't ever pay back. I know a little about accounting from helping my father with his business ventures over the years and running my own. Check the financials of Clear Channel or Cumulus and get back to me on how anyone will have a corporate radio job in the future. I don't know if I have ever seen such a mess-makes Obama look financially conservative and responsible by comparison-and that's scary! The debt loads are unsustainable and I see now why they keep firing people-they not only have no money they have debts that cannot ever be repaid. What we in the community get is a crappier product.

If you think talent or ability will keep you in your job in this environment I can tell you from an accounting standpoint it won't matter.

This thread I started has made me google some financials and they are shockingly horrible for what you call "corporate radio". Educate yourselves

 

[TheBigA]

I don't know if I have ever seen such a mess-makes Obama look financially conservative and responsible by comparison-and that's scary!

Guess who Clear Channrel gets their money from: Romney's old company. Debt is the American way. Nobody pays cash any more.

 

[jamesh]

I don't know if I have ever seen such a mess-makes Obama look financially conservative and responsible by comparison-and that's scary!

Guess who Clear Channrel gets their money from: Romney's old company. Debt is the American way. Nobody pays cash any more.

2012 losses $424,000,000
long term debt $20,700,000,000

Not a typo. Maybe Romney wouldn't have been a good choice either based on those numbers.

 

[awp69]

I don't know if I have ever seen such a mess-makes Obama look financially conservative and responsible by comparison-and that's scary!

Guess who Clear Channrel gets their money from: Romney's old company.  Debt is the American way.  Nobody pays cash any more.

2012 losses $424,000,000
long term debt $20,700,000,000

Not a typo. Maybe Romney wouldn't have been a good choice either based on those numbers.

That's scary. And we wonder why corporate radio sucks. Don't understand how companies like CC can even continue to exist. They're awful at running radio stations and even more awful, it seems, at running a business. Even cutting air talent and putting out inferior product is not getting them a profit, so just get out of the radio business and let someone who knows what they're doing take over.