It's official..Pittsburgh radio is dead

[radiotruth75]

RIP
Pittsburgh Radio
1920-2009

 

[Talk_Dude]

You're a little late on that report.

 

[xm41]

Radio died back in 96 thanks to the FCC aproving the deconsolidation bullshit. It just took awhile for the corpse to rot.

I've always thought that you don't get into radio to become rich but because you love it. Sure, stations have to make money to survive, keep the lights on, pay employees and support the owner financially. But if making money is your top goal than you shouldn't own a station or even be in the business in the first place. There are some things in this world where money shouldn’t come first.

 

[TheBigA]

There are some things in this world where money shouldn’t come first.

And you live in Pittsburgh? The town where "melon" isn't grown on a vine.

When Westinghouse started KDKA, it was to make money. LOTS of money. It wan't a charity. And it wasn't a public service. Radio has always been about competition, winning, and making money. If that is distasteful, either go to public radio, or AFRTS.

 

[Jkf]

What do you mean Pittsburgh radio is dead?

We have a 24/7 Catholic format. We have a K-Love affiliate. We have a full powered FM sports talk station that EVERYONE is listening to.

Don't forget the four stations that play a great variety of hip soccer mom music and an alternative rock station that interrupts the format FOR sports talk twice a day.

And don't forget if you want to learn how to be hypnotized, or want a pill or lotion that cures all we have a tremendous selection of fringe AMers that are always there for you.

(My sarcasm can not continue for 96.1 KISS or DVE because I actually like those stations.)

 

[Talk_Dude]

I've always thought that you don't get into radio to become rich but because you love it.

Then you always thought wrong. Entry-level air talent might be people who get into radio because they love it, but the people who build stations and networks are doing it as a business.

 

[Whiplash]

jfk great post!!

 

[corporateradiosucks]

Don't forget the four stations that play a great variety of hip soccer mom music

You forgot the station that's half soccer mom and half hoochie mama. Basically, for the soccer moms who said "Mother@#$%^&!!!!!!" when the pregnancy test came back positive.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Radio is dead everywhere...

Case in point, a friend of mine is an English instructor at our local community college. He asked what radio stations his students listen to. The entire class said said they listen to their iPods and not radio.

When confronted with this the typical reaction of people in radio is there is nothing wrong and this was not a scientific survey. They should be worried, very worried. Actually it's probably too late.

 

[TheBigA]

Radio is dead everywhere...

And yet more than 240 million people listen every day. That's just to OTA radio.

People listen to iPods, just as they listened to portable cassette decks. But they also listen to the radio.

 

[TheRover]

Radio is dead everywhere...

And yet more than 240 million people listen every day. That's just to OTA radio.

People listen to iPods, just as they listened to portable cassette decks. But they also listen to the radio.

Yes. people listen to radio, mostly for News, Talk, Sports, and for "Background" music, and for Top 40 fluff.

But..... how many listen to commercial radio to be entertined by the music itself. Radio's chance to uplift the public with music was tossed a long time ago.

Just let the ever bigger and bigger corporations/conglomerates keep determining what is in the Public's Interest and the Public good.....

Yeah.... That's the Ticket.....

For an Express Train to HELL!

XM41....

You are Correct:

Radio died back in 96 thanks to the FCC aproving the deconsolidation bullshit. It just took awhile for the corpse to rot.

I've always thought that you don't get into radio to become rich but because you love it. Sure, stations have to make money to survive, keep the lights on, pay employees and support the owner financially. But if making money is your top goal than you shouldn't own a station or even be in the business in the first place. There are some things in this world where money shouldn’t come first.

 

[TheBigA]

But..... how many listen to commercial radio to be entertined by the music itself. Radio's chance to uplift the public with music was tossed a long time ago.

That depends. One might ask what happened to the music industry's role in creating uplifting music? I'd say that's an important fact. Music no longer unites, but divides people. I can play one song and empty a room. That's not a good thing when your only source of revenue is advertising.

Just let the ever bigger and bigger corporations/conglomerates keep determining what is in the Public's Interest and the Public good.....

Are you talking about the music industry? Their greed in demanding unrealistic royalty payments have pushed internet and satellite broadcasters to the brink of bankruptcy. That the thanks they get for providing the public with wide format choices.

It's very simple: Someone has to pay for radio. The public doesn't want to. Only 16 million people are willing to pay for satellite. Only a small number of people who use Pandora are willing to pay for it. It's mostly about attracting advertisers. Who advertises? Big corporations.

But hey...you're always welcome to support your local non-commercial public radio station.

 

[cingram]

Pittsburgh radio isn't dead; it's just dull, with a few exceptions. Like most radio markets these days.

Here's some Pittsburgh radio that's dead:

1. WAMO
2. B94 (again)
3. 13Q
4. WZUM (apparently)
5. 96KX/WHTX/WVTY

... well, you get the idea.

And now, the following. I realize this isn't everybody's cup of tea, or even many people's cup of tea.
It's two hours between a polka show and the Rosary, on a station that gets relatively little audience.
But, by God, it's two hours that'll never be dull. Not while I live and breathe.

http://www.clarkeingram.com/100626.mp3

C.

 

[Talk_Dude]

Radio is dead everywhere...

And yet more than 240 million people listen every day. That's just to OTA radio.

People listen to iPods, just as they listened to portable cassette decks. But they also listen to the radio.

Yes. people listen to radio, mostly for News, Talk, Sports, and for "Background" music, and for Top 40 fluff.

I highlighted that important bit. I don't think you'll find many people actually listening to radio, as in "paying attention to the content". They hear it, but it's mostly just background noise nowadays. Note that I said "mostly" and not "exclusively". Some people might pay attention to some things some of the time, but the days when most people actually paid attention to what was on, or actually made a point of tuning in a particular program are long gone.

You can put radio on the same shelf as vaudeville, drive-in movie theaters, restaurants with car-hops, and all those other things Rick Sebak does documentaries about called "things that aren't there any more".

 

[TheBigA]

I don't think you'll find many people actually listening to radio, as in "paying attention to the content".

If that's true, "talk_dude," then why do so many people know exactly what Don Imus said about the Rutgers women basketball team? Or what Rush Limbaugh said about Obama? Or any of the many things said every day on the radio? As for music, I go to concerts where fans know every word to the songs being performed. They hear them 5 times a day on the radio. You mention songs that don't get airplay, and the people don't recognize them.

Sure, it's not the 1930s where the family gathered around the radio to hear Fibber McGee & Molly. That kind of uninterrupted listening went away a very long time ago. But people seem to know a lot about what's on the radio. They can tell you about an annoying DJ or sing a commercial jingle. I was at a concert near Pittsburgh recently where the only way people knew about it was through the local radio station, and it was sold out. Radio is still very much part of people's lives, and for the most part, they have no interest in paying for the other options.

 

[Boss Radio]

>>>If that's true, "talk_dude," then why do so many people know exactly what Don Imus said about the Rutgers women basketball team? Or what Rush Limbaugh said about Obama? <<<

Because it gets reported in other media.

 

[TheBigA]

>>>If that's true, "talk_dude," then why do so many people know exactly what Don Imus said about the Rutgers women basketball team? Or what Rush Limbaugh said about Obama? <<<

Because it gets reported in other media.

If no one's listening, other media wouldn't care.

 

[MsMusicRadio]

It may not be dead, but it is showing serious symptoms. On another note, I will be in Pittsburgh on July 17th for those who want to meet and greet.

 

[Boss Radio]

>>>If that's true, "talk_dude," then why do so many people know exactly what Don Imus said about the Rutgers women basketball team? Or what Rush Limbaugh said about Obama? <<<

Because it gets reported in other media.

If no one's listening, other media wouldn't care.

I don't know if they "care," but they're going to report Rutgers' protests.

 

[KeyTimes950]

What do you mean Pittsburgh radio is dead?

We have a 24/7 Catholic format. We have a K-Love affiliate. We have a full powered FM sports talk station that EVERYONE is listening to.

Don't forget the four stations that play a great variety of hip soccer mom music and an alternative rock station that interrupts the format FOR sports talk twice a day.

And don't forget if you want to learn how to be hypnotized, or want a pill or lotion that cures all we have a tremendous selection of fringe AMers that are always there for you.

(My sarcasm can not continue for 96.1 KISS or DVE because I actually like those stations.)

Don't forget the four stations that play a great variety of hip soccer mom music

You forgot the station that's half soccer mom and half hoochie mama. Basically, for the soccer moms who said "Mother@#$%^&!!!!!!" when the pregnancy test came back positive.

Pittsburgh radio isn't dead; it's just dull, with a few exceptions. Like most radio markets these days.

Here's some Pittsburgh radio that's dead:

1. WAMO
2. B94 (again)
3. 13Q
4. WZUM (apparently)
5. 96KX/WHTX/WVTY

... well, you get the idea.

And now, the following. I realize this isn't everybody's cup of tea, or even many people's cup of tea.
It's two hours between a polka show and the Rosary, on a station that gets relatively little audience.
But, by God, it's two hours that'll never be dull. Not while I live and breathe.

http://www.clarkeingram.com/100626.mp3

C.

This may be the best discussion ever on this site. It certainly is the most hilarious, particularly with respect to "half soccer mom and half hoochie mama." That fits WZPT to a T. And Clarke, I can't wait to access a computer where I can listen to that clip of yours, but it won't be before Tuesday.

I'm sure I can come up with a serious thought on this subject, but I'm still in a holiday frame of mind.