Reporting from Coral Springs Fl. Well, Christmas is now over. I hope it was a happy one for all of you. Besides after Christmas sales, this time of year usually brings changes to radio. I can only assume the same old same old remains the order of business in Jax. I’m not really surprised.
Long drives give me the opportunity to think about lots of things. I thought of the word “listening” and how it applies to radio. Almost always, listening is about ratings and everything involving attracting all the right listeners to a station and probably even the cluster too. For a lot of radio, listening appears to be a one-way street.
Listeners have lots of avenues to express themselves. There’s station websites, social media, even the T.U. when they report a change or a story on radio. Some listeners, such as me, use these boards to sound off. Listeners do have a voice and they are not shy in expressing themselves. Whether any of the decision-makers actually consider what their audience is saying probably defines the company and/or those in key positions. L&T make another return to Jax. Was there really audience demand or just a result of what owners/operators want? IMO, odds for long-term success increase when they truly consider the voice of the listener.
I’ve enjoyed reading the string about the new station in St. Augustine. Obviously, this involves a small owner/operator. I’ve wondered how they will fit in the future of radio. Translators are springing up everywhere. Signals appear to be an issue, especially for anyone driving long commutes to work or pleasure. Revenue has to be challenging too.
On the plus side these small owners tend to have a lifetime of experience. They also appear to have a passion for the medium. Perhaps it’s just a first step into something bigger. I’ve listened to the oldies on “the other WSOS.” As I look at the calls on the station website speaker, I can’t help but say “if only” and you can fill in the blanks for all sorts of responses. Interestingly, those who live outside of population centers have the benefit of hearing lots of stations. There is far more format variety in southern St. John's County than there is in Jacksonville. Something is wrong with that and I'm hoping it changes.
Radio has taken lots of hits virtually everywhere. As far as Jacksonville goes, I can’t predict what is to come based on the current major ownership. Not too long ago, Jacksonville had a lot of great stations and formats in place that were more inclusive of the community. Today, Jacksonville has a lot more diversity to include age spread and even transplants from many parts of the country. Ratings measure listening. They don't measure disastisfaction or being disenfranchised. Maybe, the real small owner/operator can make a difference where the larger companies fall short.
My eyes or should I say ears have opened up as I have hit the road. For a long time, I’ve talked of how the “right” ownership and management can make all the difference. I have never been more convinced that I have been correct all along. I'll explain in this string...in the meantime I wish you all happy and successful 2013!
Long drives give me the opportunity to think about lots of things. I thought of the word “listening” and how it applies to radio. Almost always, listening is about ratings and everything involving attracting all the right listeners to a station and probably even the cluster too. For a lot of radio, listening appears to be a one-way street.
Listeners have lots of avenues to express themselves. There’s station websites, social media, even the T.U. when they report a change or a story on radio. Some listeners, such as me, use these boards to sound off. Listeners do have a voice and they are not shy in expressing themselves. Whether any of the decision-makers actually consider what their audience is saying probably defines the company and/or those in key positions. L&T make another return to Jax. Was there really audience demand or just a result of what owners/operators want? IMO, odds for long-term success increase when they truly consider the voice of the listener.
I’ve enjoyed reading the string about the new station in St. Augustine. Obviously, this involves a small owner/operator. I’ve wondered how they will fit in the future of radio. Translators are springing up everywhere. Signals appear to be an issue, especially for anyone driving long commutes to work or pleasure. Revenue has to be challenging too.
On the plus side these small owners tend to have a lifetime of experience. They also appear to have a passion for the medium. Perhaps it’s just a first step into something bigger. I’ve listened to the oldies on “the other WSOS.” As I look at the calls on the station website speaker, I can’t help but say “if only” and you can fill in the blanks for all sorts of responses. Interestingly, those who live outside of population centers have the benefit of hearing lots of stations. There is far more format variety in southern St. John's County than there is in Jacksonville. Something is wrong with that and I'm hoping it changes.
Radio has taken lots of hits virtually everywhere. As far as Jacksonville goes, I can’t predict what is to come based on the current major ownership. Not too long ago, Jacksonville had a lot of great stations and formats in place that were more inclusive of the community. Today, Jacksonville has a lot more diversity to include age spread and even transplants from many parts of the country. Ratings measure listening. They don't measure disastisfaction or being disenfranchised. Maybe, the real small owner/operator can make a difference where the larger companies fall short.
My eyes or should I say ears have opened up as I have hit the road. For a long time, I’ve talked of how the “right” ownership and management can make all the difference. I have never been more convinced that I have been correct all along. I'll explain in this string...in the meantime I wish you all happy and successful 2013!
