So I traveled around over the past weekend in Indiana and Illinois and I listened really closely to a lot of different stations and it really got me to wondering. What the hell is going on? What ever happened to "branding?" There are so many radio stations around that have no identity. I'm not saying every station but come on there are some stations that I only remember because of poor execution. Is it lack of interest or pride or is it just flat out poor programming? And it's not just in the teeny tiny markets.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Open honest question?
- Thread starter johnnyssr
- Start date
R
radio2100
Guest
This is a gret topic. Can you give some examples?
There are many reasons why: consolidation, understaffed stations, and programmers who have never learned the proper way to brand their station.
There are many reasons why: consolidation, understaffed stations, and programmers who have never learned the proper way to brand their station.
As far as positioning, I've seen a programmer writing copy like "93.9 WZAQ" and the VO guy reading it as "Q94" (fictional calls and station, but a real example)
But yes, imaging falls down below "getting football on the air" or "making sure all the DJs know about a minor tweak in the programming clock". Seems to be a set it and forget it mentality.
Imaging can be hard. You want to make it clear what kind of music you intend to play, and where to find it. But it can't be too wordy.
The worst imaging I think I've ever seen is on 107.9 the Track.
98.5 in Paris, IL though, only gives location and nickname "98.5 the Bull". The Bull is a unique title for a station, but not exactly descriptive. It also conflicts with the weekend WW1 format and Lia in the evening.
WXXC Muncie/Marion also has bad imaging. "John Mellancamp on Double-X C". Brief, but doesn't reinforce dial position at all.
ABC's AC format plays hits and favorites. The typical jock break there consists of
That is a good image, but then again, I think ABC's formats have a person devoted to imaging, or at least some of the best PDs around. And it is dangerously close to ABC Real Country's "Today's stars and legends" in places where there are stations running both formats.
Another good positioner is "Playing what we want, we're 104.5 Jack-FM". Again, pre-packaged, but still good.
But yes, imaging falls down below "getting football on the air" or "making sure all the DJs know about a minor tweak in the programming clock". Seems to be a set it and forget it mentality.
Imaging can be hard. You want to make it clear what kind of music you intend to play, and where to find it. But it can't be too wordy.
The worst imaging I think I've ever seen is on 107.9 the Track.
I count 20 words for the positioner.
98.5 in Paris, IL though, only gives location and nickname "98.5 the Bull". The Bull is a unique title for a station, but not exactly descriptive. It also conflicts with the weekend WW1 format and Lia in the evening.
WXXC Muncie/Marion also has bad imaging. "John Mellancamp on Double-X C". Brief, but doesn't reinforce dial position at all.
ABC's AC format plays hits and favorites. The typical jock break there consists of
11 words (counting ninety-eight point one as 3 words and WAZI as 4 also)
That is a good image, but then again, I think ABC's formats have a person devoted to imaging, or at least some of the best PDs around. And it is dangerously close to ABC Real Country's "Today's stars and legends" in places where there are stations running both formats.
Another good positioner is "Playing what we want, we're 104.5 Jack-FM". Again, pre-packaged, but still good.
R
radio2100
Guest
PTBoardOp94 said:
Boy! That's a mouthfull. Don't they also say something about variety now?
An open honest question to an open honest answer?
The lack of branding IS the branding. You can't tell the difference between a rock station in Florida from a rock station in Indianapolis.
Once the consultants/meddlers get their hands on the local talent and the playlist, it sounds properly sterilized and homogenized with everyone politely reading off cards with a music bed underneath.
I listen to the local high school station more than anything else because it's real and genuine. It's not a "Jack" format that pretends to be random, it IS random. And the jocks are fallible because they don't have a consulting firm stripping them of their personalities.
Nobody cares or counts how many songs in a row or if you've got "the most music in the morning". That's like saying "We have the tastiest food". It doesn't SAY anything. You're SUPPOSED to have the tastiest food and play the most music.
Give me something honest on the radio and I'll listen to it faithfully.
The lack of branding IS the branding. You can't tell the difference between a rock station in Florida from a rock station in Indianapolis.
Once the consultants/meddlers get their hands on the local talent and the playlist, it sounds properly sterilized and homogenized with everyone politely reading off cards with a music bed underneath.
I listen to the local high school station more than anything else because it's real and genuine. It's not a "Jack" format that pretends to be random, it IS random. And the jocks are fallible because they don't have a consulting firm stripping them of their personalities.
Nobody cares or counts how many songs in a row or if you've got "the most music in the morning". That's like saying "We have the tastiest food". It doesn't SAY anything. You're SUPPOSED to have the tastiest food and play the most music.
Give me something honest on the radio and I'll listen to it faithfully.
Jeff is a good station. I was quite surprised when I took a listen for the first time.
P
PaulBWalkerJr
Guest
Here's a Jeff92 legal id..
http://www.tophour.net/audio/Lafayette%20IN/fm0919_2002-09_wjef_pwalker.mp3
A good friend of mine was the Student PD there for years(and hleped impliment the automation and 24 hour broadcasting..) and works for WASK/WKOA today so I got to hear ALOT about it...
http://www.tophour.net/audio/Lafayette%20IN/fm0919_2002-09_wjef_pwalker.mp3
A good friend of mine was the Student PD there for years(and hleped impliment the automation and 24 hour broadcasting..) and works for WASK/WKOA today so I got to hear ALOT about it...
---------------------
98.5 in Paris, IL though, only gives location and nickname "98.5 the Bull". The Bull is a unique title for a station, but not exactly descriptive. It also conflicts with the weekend WW1 format and Lia in the evening.
---------------------
I know that 98.5 is going through a call-letter change right now, which could be the reason that it wasn't ID'd. I do know when they adopted "The Bull" the plan was to get rid of WW1, and Jones. The sale, and other issues after changed that. = )
Amber
Former WACF'er, now in Natchez, MS
98.5 in Paris, IL though, only gives location and nickname "98.5 the Bull". The Bull is a unique title for a station, but not exactly descriptive. It also conflicts with the weekend WW1 format and Lia in the evening.
---------------------
I know that 98.5 is going through a call-letter change right now, which could be the reason that it wasn't ID'd. I do know when they adopted "The Bull" the plan was to get rid of WW1, and Jones. The sale, and other issues after changed that. = )
Amber
Former WACF'er, now in Natchez, MS
As everyone has already stated, my opinion is that this has happened, as a result of the industry stripping out the enthusiasm, the energy, if you will, of radio. Branding, imaging, programming, music selection, etc. is incredibly exciting (for those of us in radio), and, if done well, it comes out over the air and the listeners pick up on that, albeit, mostly unconsciously. The end result is, for the most part, if given adequate time, the listeners will flock to the station and listen. And, when this used to happen 
, we in radio had a great time doing it. That's why a lot of us would do it for very little money.
--Bomba
, we in radio had a great time doing it. That's why a lot of us would do it for very little money.--Bomba
I totally agree with a lot that has been posted. It seems that somewhere along the way the idea of getting involved and being proactive at reaching goals vanished. It just doesn't sound like a team effort anymore, it's all about me. Its not just about imaging and positioning, where did the leadership go? Most of the younger jocks that I know never really had a "Radio Idol" as they were growing up and therefore they don't hold examples of good radio execution in their minds. Example and I trying to avoid picking at anyone but I listened to Thunder 103.9 the other morning, I liked a lot of the music that I heard but when the mic opened it was brutal. No direction, no planning, no prep that equals no idea.
R
radio2100
Guest
Johnny Radio said:
The sad truth is that this is very common because there is no leadership. How many PDs are still doing weekly aircheck sessions, and daily ones for the morning show?
- Status