NJ101.5 Had quite a day yesterday

[Foxradio]

First off I have a new found respect for Dennis and Judi on NJ101.5

There was a story yesterday about a woman who left her dog in her car for a short time with the windows open while she went grocery shopping in Woodbridge. She was confronted by a " human services Police Officer " when she returned to her car. Her dog was fine but he pulled her out of her car and had the Woodbridge Police arrest her. She suffered a broken rib and a knocked out tooth. The horrible end to this was the dog ran from the car and was killed on RT 1. They did this story for all 4 hours with public reaction being very passionate.

This is what makes " local radio " so important and vital. The Human Service's cop actually calls their show and Dennis and Judi like I've never heard them b 4 did the most compelling radio I've heard in a while. The cop was giving his story and Dennis and Judi handled him great. I had to get into a dentist appointment but I sat in the car for an extra 15 minutes till the cop call ended.
On the evening news - News12NJ played the cop calling into the Dennis and Judi show and played video of a radio with the station playing out if it.

Dennis and Judi can handle serious news when they have to. I was very very impressed because I never heard them in this capacity. Then I was listening last night and Tommy G. actually was able to get the woman who's dog was killed on his show sobbing and telling her story. My wife said she got the chills listening to this woman's grief over the loss of her dog and the cop's aggressive actions. It was also very compelling radio with the raw emotion of this woman pouring her heart out on live radio. It was local news that drove home the point that this could happen to any of our wives.

Local radio stations must always keep in mind that their biggest asset against satellite and syndication is the local factor. This is a very local and human interest story that was handled very well by the station and the hosts.

 

[mwebster]

Local Radio

The winning forumula for NJ 101.5 is they are local (but not too local) AND they are good. Local radio has died most places because most local radio was terrible. NJ 101.5 had to be good because their competition is the number one and the number six markets. Most people in or close to major markets have no idea how terrible small and even medium market radio was before chain ownership, satellite distribution, computer automation and voice tracking. Yes, something was lost; but something was gained as well.

The other thing too many local broadcasters do wrong is make too big a deal out of being local; they are seduced by minutae. They are desperate for content and cover trivial meetings and put anybody on the air willing to go on the air. (I recently heard a 20 minute interview in morning drive with the head of county department of weights and measures - the guy who makes sure store scales and gas pumps are accurate. No news, he was just talking about his job.) NJ 101.5 has a good nose for issues with water cooler value.

NJ 101.5 created their own market. They put together Middlesex (36), Monmouth (51), Atlantic City (135) and Trenton (138) and created a market called "not New York, not Philadelphia" (which would be something like number 16). They hired good people, got good numbers (even good demos) and are getting good revenue.

What's most amazing is nobody around the country seems to have noticed and tried to duplicate the forumla.

 

[Foxradio]

Re: Local Radio

> The winning forumula for NJ 101.5 is they are local (but not
> too local) AND they are good. Local radio has died most
> places because most local radio was terrible. NJ 101.5 had
> to be good because their competition is the number one and
> the number six markets. Most people in or close to major
> markets have no idea how terrible small and even medium
> market radio was before chain ownership, satellite
> distribution, computer automation and voice tracking. Yes,
> something was lost; but something was gained as well.
>
> The other thing too many local broadcasters do wrong is make
> too big a deal out of being local; they are seduced by
> minutae. They are desperate for content and cover trivial
> meetings and put anybody on the air willing to go on the
> air. (I recently heard a 20 minute interview in morning
> drive with the head of county department of weights and
> measures - the guy who makes sure store scales and gas pumps
> are accurate. No news, he was just talking about his job.)
> NJ 101.5 has a good nose for issues with water cooler value.
>
>
> NJ 101.5 created their own market. They put together
> Middlesex (36), Monmouth (51), Atlantic City (135) and
> Trenton (138) and created a market called "not New York, not
> Philadelphia" (which would be something like number 16).
> They hired good people, got good numbers (even good demos)
> and are getting good revenue.
>
> What's most amazing is nobody around the country seems to
> have noticed and tried to duplicate the forumla.
>

You make some good points regarding NJ101.5 and it is amazing that other stations around the country do not follow their lead but I can tell you good talk talent is much harder to find then jocks. NJ101.5 is very lucky or they are just good at finding very strong local talk hosts with good instincts.

On the music side the WMTR Edison diner show is also a good example of how a local radio station can connect with their local listeners to keep them loyal.

In this day and age local radio stations are going to have to work harder to maintain and build their listener base.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by Foxradio on 08/24/05 12:41 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[radiolover78]

Re: Local Radio

> > The winning forumula for NJ 101.5 is they are local (but
> not
> > too local) AND they are good. Local radio has died most
> > places because most local radio was terrible. NJ 101.5
> had
> > to be good because their competition is the number one and
>
> > the number six markets. Most people in or close to major
> > markets have no idea how terrible small and even medium
> > market radio was before chain ownership, satellite
> > distribution, computer automation and voice tracking.
> Yes,
> > something was lost; but something was gained as well.
> >
> > The other thing too many local broadcasters do wrong is
> make
> > too big a deal out of being local; they are seduced by
> > minutae. They are desperate for content and cover trivial
>
> > meetings and put anybody on the air willing to go on the
> > air. (I recently heard a 20 minute interview in morning
> > drive with the head of county department of weights and
> > measures - the guy who makes sure store scales and gas
> pumps
> > are accurate. No news, he was just talking about his
> job.)
> > NJ 101.5 has a good nose for issues with water cooler
> value.
> >
> >
> > NJ 101.5 created their own market. They put together
> > Middlesex (36), Monmouth (51), Atlantic City (135) and
> > Trenton (138) and created a market called "not New York,
> not
> > Philadelphia" (which would be something like number 16).
> > They hired good people, got good numbers (even good demos)
>
> > and are getting good revenue.
> >
> > What's most amazing is nobody around the country seems to
> > have noticed and tried to duplicate the forumla.
> >
>
> You make some good points regarding NJ101.5 and it is
> amazing that other stations around the country do not follow
> their lead but I can tell you good talk talent is much
> harder to find then jocks. NJ101.5 is very lucky or they
> are just good at finding very strong local talk hosts with
> good instincts.
>
> On the music side the WMTR Edison diner show is also a good
> example of how a local radio station can connect with their
> local listeners to keep them loyal.
>
> In this day and age local radio stations are going to have
> to work harder to maintain and build their listener base.
>

Both of you bring up very interesting points. I listened to NJ101.5 for the first time earlier this year. It was before 5AM and they were playing 70s and 80s music. The music was good and then at 5AM, the news started. They kept updating you with what was going on. So, they did well in the music and information department. I haven't listened to a talk show on the station though. <P ID="signature">______________
Check my website www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>

 

[Foxradio]

Re: Local Radio

> > > The winning forumula for NJ 101.5 is they are local (but
>
> > not
> > > too local) AND they are good. Local radio has died most
>
> > > places because most local radio was terrible. NJ 101.5
> > had
> > > to be good because their competition is the number one
> and
> >
> > > the number six markets. Most people in or close to
> major
> > > markets have no idea how terrible small and even medium
> > > market radio was before chain ownership, satellite
> > > distribution, computer automation and voice tracking.
> > Yes,
> > > something was lost; but something was gained as well.
> > >
> > > The other thing too many local broadcasters do wrong is
> > make
> > > too big a deal out of being local; they are seduced by
> > > minutae. They are desperate for content and cover
> trivial
> >
> > > meetings and put anybody on the air willing to go on the
>
> > > air. (I recently heard a 20 minute interview in morning
>
> > > drive with the head of county department of weights and
> > > measures - the guy who makes sure store scales and gas
> > pumps
> > > are accurate. No news, he was just talking about his
> > job.)
> > > NJ 101.5 has a good nose for issues with water cooler
> > value.
> > >
> > >
> > > NJ 101.5 created their own market. They put together
> > > Middlesex (36), Monmouth (51), Atlantic City (135) and
> > > Trenton (138) and created a market called "not New York,
>
> > not
> > > Philadelphia" (which would be something like number 16).
>
> > > They hired good people, got good numbers (even good
> demos)
> >
> > > and are getting good revenue.
> > >
> > > What's most amazing is nobody around the country seems
> to
> > > have noticed and tried to duplicate the forumla.
> > >
> >
> > You make some good points regarding NJ101.5 and it is
> > amazing that other stations around the country do not
> follow
> > their lead but I can tell you good talk talent is much
> > harder to find then jocks. NJ101.5 is very lucky or they
> > are just good at finding very strong local talk hosts with
>
> > good instincts.
> >
> > On the music side the WMTR Edison diner show is also a
> good
> > example of how a local radio station can connect with
> their
> > local listeners to keep them loyal.
> >
> > In this day and age local radio stations are going to have
>
> > to work harder to maintain and build their listener base.
> >
>
> Both of you bring up very interesting points. I listened to
> NJ101.5 for the first time earlier this year. It was before
> 5AM and they were playing 70s and 80s music. The music was
> good and then at 5AM, the news started. They kept updating
> you with what was going on. So, they did well in the music
> and information department. I haven't listened to a talk
> show on the station though.

radiolover I know you are in your teens but NJ101.5 talk programs are geared for the 25-54 age group. Gearhart with his political talk, Dennis and Judi are the King and Queen of the soccer moms. The Jersey Guys target the rowdy 25-54 crowd and fires them up. Mary seems to have a solid female following talking about love and Tommy G appears to be busy all night as your buddy next door targeting the 25-54 with the topics he picks.
I guess as you age, get married have kids, own a home paying high property taxes with your soccer mom wife driving a mini- van then you'll be hooked on the talk format of the station.
>

 

[radiolover78]

Re: Local Radio

> > > > The winning forumula for NJ 101.5 is they are local
> (but
> >
> > > not
> > > > too local) AND they are good. Local radio has died
> most
> >
> > > > places because most local radio was terrible. NJ
> 101.5
> > > had
> > > > to be good because their competition is the number one
>
> > and
> > >
> > > > the number six markets. Most people in or close to
> > major
> > > > markets have no idea how terrible small and even
> medium
> > > > market radio was before chain ownership, satellite
> > > > distribution, computer automation and voice tracking.
>
> > > Yes,
> > > > something was lost; but something was gained as well.
>
> > > >
> > > > The other thing too many local broadcasters do wrong
> is
> > > make
> > > > too big a deal out of being local; they are seduced by
>
> > > > minutae. They are desperate for content and cover
> > trivial
> > >
> > > > meetings and put anybody on the air willing to go on
> the
> >
> > > > air. (I recently heard a 20 minute interview in
> morning
> >
> > > > drive with the head of county department of weights
> and
> > > > measures - the guy who makes sure store scales and gas
>
> > > pumps
> > > > are accurate. No news, he was just talking about his
> > > job.)
> > > > NJ 101.5 has a good nose for issues with water cooler
> > > value.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > NJ 101.5 created their own market. They put together
> > > > Middlesex (36), Monmouth (51), Atlantic City (135) and
>
> > > > Trenton (138) and created a market called "not New
> York,
> >
> > > not
> > > > Philadelphia" (which would be something like number
> 16).
> >
> > > > They hired good people, got good numbers (even good
> > demos)
> > >
> > > > and are getting good revenue.
> > > >
> > > > What's most amazing is nobody around the country seems
>
> > to
> > > > have noticed and tried to duplicate the forumla.
> > > >
> > >
> > > You make some good points regarding NJ101.5 and it is
> > > amazing that other stations around the country do not
> > follow
> > > their lead but I can tell you good talk talent is much
> > > harder to find then jocks. NJ101.5 is very lucky or
> they
> > > are just good at finding very strong local talk hosts
> with
> >
> > > good instincts.
> > >
> > > On the music side the WMTR Edison diner show is also a
> > good
> > > example of how a local radio station can connect with
> > their
> > > local listeners to keep them loyal.
> > >
> > > In this day and age local radio stations are going to
> have
> >
> > > to work harder to maintain and build their listener
> base.
> > >
> >
> > Both of you bring up very interesting points. I listened
> to
> > NJ101.5 for the first time earlier this year. It was
> before
> > 5AM and they were playing 70s and 80s music. The music was
>
> > good and then at 5AM, the news started. They kept updating
>
> > you with what was going on. So, they did well in the music
>
> > and information department. I haven't listened to a talk
> > show on the station though.
>
> radiolover I know you are in your teens but NJ101.5 talk
> programs are geared for the 25-54 age group. Gearhart with
> his political talk, Dennis and Judi are the King and Queen
> of the soccer moms. The Jersey Guys target the rowdy 25-54
> crowd and fires them up. Mary seems to have a solid female
> following talking about love and Tommy G appears to be busy
> all night as your buddy next door targeting the 25-54 with
> the topics he picks.
> I guess as you age, get married have kids, own a home paying
> high property taxes with your soccer mom wife driving a
> mini- van then you'll be hooked on the talk format of the
> station.
> >
>

I know that NJ101.5 is targeting 25-54, but I actually enjoy those stations. Adult Contemporary and talk radio is interesting to me, even at my age. Thanks for giving me an idea of what the station is like though.
<P ID="signature">______________
Check my website www.freewebs.com/radiostuffandnews
</P>

 

[bubba1]

Re: Local Radio

The previous poster wrote (regarding local radio): "Most people in or close to major markets have no idea how terrible small and even medium
market radio was before chain ownership.........Yes, something was lost; but something was gained as well."

Small and medium market radio was the training ground for today's great major market talents. Radio is creating a talent vacuum because its "farm system" has "bought the farm".

More importantly, radio stations that have "gained" by using satellite
distribution, computer automation and voice tracking have lost the connection to the community they formerly served. Most local stations are not local at all. They are not much more than the local outlet for nationally distributed programming.

McRadio.

The poster also wrote, "What's most amazing is nobody around the country seems to have noticed and tried to duplicate the forumla." It is not amazing at all. Few stations have the capability or the courage to develop, encourage and PAY their talent the way NJ101.5 does.

I agree with the poster that a 20-minuted interview with a local government official does not constitute good compelling local radio.

After having worked at radio stations in small, medium and top 10 markets, I would rather work at a local-oriented AM daytimer in the middle of a cornfield than a non-community-committed-corporate-clu$ter.

Best wishes to all.

~gnusasaurus