SUPERCASTER said:
A visit to the company offices found an unattended Pentium 6 computer located next to a Mop Sink in the janitor's closet of an abandoned building which was the former site of a Woolco Discount City in Hackensack, NJ.
The label on the computer read "Property of All Channel" and was serving up six voice tracked "local, live" formats.
OK, bring on the S#% Storm...
I need to make a few point before I assert the following.
1) CC voice tracks too much and more importantly too much from too far away.
2) They, along with the Telcom Act of '96 have done more to damage to radio than HD, XM, Sirius or any of the losers on this board.
3) When on semi-even footing, Live and local radio will kick CC's version of VT'd radio every day of the week. (Thanks for the validation, WBEB Philly and unknown others who are too local for me to have noticed)
That said, The Clear Channel News Talker in market 138 is the most local sounding station in town. They have a "24 hour newsroom" (Which geeks like me know comes from WOAI in San Antonio). Still it's there. And it's better than anyone else in town.
And if something goes on, they have news in the format. It's weak, but it's the best in town (Including MY station...)
ALL CC stations make SOME effort to be local. Many aren't too hot, but they all try (At least a Little...) People who work there say it is a requirement.
---------------------------
One of the things we are dealing with here is the "Message Board" group that thinks "MORE MUSIC IS BETTER."
To a degree that's true, However as the 60's jingle says....
"You're with WXXX. where it's what's between the Music that counts...."
Don't lose sight of the he FACT that radio is not designed to be a Jukebox. Or a CD player. Or (wandering out of my world) an I-Pod or your record (errrr... music) collection. Radio is designed to be your friend and companion. The scary part to me is that many times it fails in this task...
Radio keeps you from wearing a watch (OK in 2006 it keeps you from checking you cell for the time).
Radio tells you the day's weather without you having to look. (Supposed to)
Radio tells you what you should know, without reading the paper (Cool, I actually found something that is less chic than radio to mention).
Radio let's you get "Up To Speed" when you are going to your JOB without having to "Look it all up". (Apologies to the gang that posts 200 messages a day here and obviously doesn't have one of those...)
Radio is a source of instant info when things go bad. (At least it should be).
Radio is durable. That is, no matter what, "It's there."
______________________
Now I suspect that many here think radio should be the home of 25 in a row with never more than 2 commercials in a row. The Economics just don't work. That's why we have turntables (or Cassettes or Cd's or whatever.)
"True Radio", has never been threatened by Record players. Or 8-Tracks. Or Cassettes. Or Cd's. Or Ipods. Or MP3's. Or computer listening. (yet. This one COULD be a problem later if they localize).
It is true that Radio may lose a minimal share of listenership to "Other media". But that has always been true. From the reinvention of radio after the "serial" to the many other incarnations, Radio is a companion. It entertains and informs (At least it's supposed to) and it's Current and it's free. There are many other competitors for your radio listening time. But they "Ain't radio"
Things like Amusement parks. TV. Movies. The Theatre. and your music collection. As life get's "Busier", radio gets a smaller share. But only if it gives up.
The Corpus Christi "Hooks" Chanpionship ain't gonna play on XM. But it does in MY town. In a big way. Everyone who thinks this is good listening in New England, raise you hand.
Http://cchooks.com
Radio's biggest problem is... It's trying to be something it isn't.
MESSAGE TO RADIO...
You're not a juke box. You're not an IPod. You're not a turntable. You're not a CD.
You're a companion.
DO WHAT YOU DO.
DO IT WELL.
AND LIVE!!
Clouseau.
