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Programming Theory

G

grantchester

Here's a theory on why commercial radio is getting so bad. Advertisers don't want middle and upper class mainstream adults, especially those over 45. it's too hard to sway their minds. It's much easier to persuade the stupid demographics. Think about some of the morning shows on the air, or some of the shallow chart-based music formats. Who listens to them? People with cultivated tastes? People with sophisticated appreciation? No. It's the stupid demographic. Would Sunny have played Mozart? When was the last time Oasis played Coltrane or Bird? Does 92.5 even have a copy of Blind Faith?
Would KLUV play Shawn Phillips? When was the last time ANYBODY played a Joni Mitchell album track? Loudon Wainwright the Third? FUGGEDDABOUDIT. There's a reason Prairie Home Companion is on public radio. It's just not commercially viable if it doesn't appeal to the LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR.
 
I once argued with the PD who questioned a couple of casual references I made one morning, things I figured anybody with any sort of reasonable education would recognize. I also recommended one dull caller should (God forbid) try reading a book once in a while. The PD literally asked me to shave off 50 I.Q. points when on the air. He may have been onto something, he stayed at the station longer than I did.

> Here's a theory on why commercial radio is getting so bad...
> It's just not commercially viable if it doesn't appeal to
> the LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR.
>
 
> Here's a theory on why commercial radio is getting so bad.
> Advertisers don't want middle and upper class mainstream
> adults, especially those over 45. it's too hard to sway
> their minds. It's much easier to persuade the stupid
> demographics. Think about some of the morning shows on the
> air, or some of the shallow chart-based music formats. Who
> listens to them? People with cultivated tastes? People with
> sophisticated appreciation? No. It's the stupid demographic.

The truth and nothing but the truth, sadly. It's really not unlike reality TV, tabloid journalism and "all the news that fits in print," to bastardize the New York Times slogan.

> Would Sunny have played Mozart?

No, but they should have been playing "Hooked On Classics." Pop AC, but at least it exposed the masters to the masses, sort of.

> When was the last time Oasis played Coltrane or Bird?

How many casual Oasis listeners could even tell you Coltrane's first name? Besides, those are Jazz artists, not Smooth Jazz, which doesn't really exist.

> Does 92.5 even have a copy of Blind Faith?

Kinda doubtful. Bo and Jim and a maybe a couple of others there are probably the only ones who could tell you what the album cover looked like.

> Would KLUV play Shawn Phillips?

You must be kidding. Hell, I played Shawn Phillips music over 25 years ago and
I haven't heard it on DFW radio since.

> When was the last time ANYBODY played a Joni Mitchell album track? Loudon
> Wainwright the Third? FUGGEDDABOUDIT.

Again, so long ago that it borders on "NEVER." ("Dead Skunk," hmmmm...)

> There's a reason Prairie Home Companion is on public radio. It's just not
> commercially viable if it doesn't appeal to the LOWEST
> COMMON DENOMINATOR.

Pretty depressing, huh?
 
>
> Again, so long ago that it borders on "NEVER." ("Dead
> Skunk," hmmmm...)
>

Two things on LWIII,

When he made his appearances on MASH, was that a big deal for the listeners and viewers? Really, it seems like something sorta trivial today (with all the drop-in's by artists), but was the appearance of him on the show publicised beforehand?

Also, pick up the New LWII, Here Come the Choppers- cool stuff...

Davery
 
> Here's a theory on why commercial radio is getting so bad.
> Advertisers don't want middle and upper class mainstream
> adults, especially those over 45. it's too hard to sway
> their minds. It's much easier to persuade the stupid
> demographics. Think about some of the morning shows on the
> air, or some of the shallow chart-based music formats. Who
> listens to them? People with cultivated tastes? People with
> sophisticated appreciation? No. It's the stupid demographic.
> Would Sunny have played Mozart? When was the last time Oasis
> played Coltrane or Bird? Does 92.5 even have a copy of Blind
> Faith?
> Would KLUV play Shawn Phillips? When was the last time
> ANYBODY played a Joni Mitchell album track? Loudon
> Wainwright the Third? FUGGEDDABOUDIT. There's a reason
> Prairie Home Companion is on public radio. It's just not
> commercially viable if it doesn't appeal to the LOWEST
> COMMON DENOMINATOR.
>
Grant. That theory is on target. 45+ own homes, cars, home theatres,they buy land invest in stock,etc. All high end items. So the money is there, Advertisers are concentrating on renters, ipod buyers, laptop owners,used car owners. A majority of an advertising agency staff is fresh out of college and below the age of 45,so they are more comfortable within their own age group,because they understand them more than 45+. Comfort leads to caution. They can research all they want,but the research is slanted to justify themselves. Yes someone will argue otherwise,plus spin numbers,but in the end advertisers and stations are fools not to concentrate on the 45+ group.
 
> Here's a theory on why commercial radio is getting so bad.
> Advertisers don't want middle and upper class mainstream
> adults, especially those over 45.

Interesting, considering most of the comments I've seen on RI indicate the age is 55+, not 45+.
 
> > Here's a theory on why commercial radio is getting so bad.
>
> > Advertisers don't want middle and upper class mainstream
> > adults, especially those over 45. it's too hard to sway
> > their minds. It's much easier to persuade the stupid
> > demographics. Think about some of the morning shows on the
>
> > air, or some of the shallow chart-based music formats. Who
>
> > listens to them? People with cultivated tastes? People
> with
> > sophisticated appreciation? No. It's the stupid
> demographic.
> > Would Sunny have played Mozart? When was the last time
> Oasis
> > played Coltrane or Bird? Does 92.5 even have a copy of
> Blind
> > Faith?
> > Would KLUV play Shawn Phillips? When was the last time
> > ANYBODY played a Joni Mitchell album track? Loudon
> > Wainwright the Third? FUGGEDDABOUDIT. There's a reason
> > Prairie Home Companion is on public radio. It's just not
> > commercially viable if it doesn't appeal to the LOWEST
> > COMMON DENOMINATOR.
> >
> Grant. That theory is on target. 45+ own homes, cars, home
> theatres,they buy land invest in stock,etc. All high end
> items. So the money is there, Advertisers are concentrating
> on renters, ipod buyers, laptop owners,used car owners. A
> majority of an advertising agency staff is fresh out of
> college and below the age of 45,so they are more comfortable
> within their own age group,because they understand them more
> than 45+. Comfort leads to caution. They can research all
> they want,but the research is slanted to justify themselves.
> Yes someone will argue otherwise,plus spin numbers,but in
> the end advertisers and stations are fools not to
> concentrate on the 45+ group.

Grant,

If Mr. Murrow agrees then you must be right.
>
 
> > When was the last time Oasis played Coltrane or Bird?

Probably on Ramsey Lewis' "Legends of Jazz, Saturday nights at 10.
I like the Oasis for what it is...but for me that show is must listen.
>
> How many casual Oasis listeners could even tell you
> Coltrane's first name?

John. Bird was Charlie Parker. And Ray Charles' early years Sax player was David "Fathead" Newman, from Fort Worth.

Not be smarmy...just wanted to educate that casual listener!
 
> > How many casual Oasis listeners could even tell you
> > Coltrane's first name?
>
> John. Bird was Charlie Parker. And Ray Charles' early
> years Sax player was David "Fathead" Newman, from Fort
> Worth.
>
> Not be smarmy...just wanted to educate that casual listener!

Okay, and Curtis Ousley (of the Memphis Horns) was Fort Worth native and Tech High School grad "King" Curtis. I've been around the block too, but it's been a while..!
 
> Here's a theory on why commercial radio is getting so bad.
> Advertisers don't want middle and upper class mainstream
> adults, especially those over 45. it's too hard to sway
> their minds. It's much easier to persuade the stupid
> demographics. Think about some of the morning shows on the
> air, or some of the shallow chart-based music formats. Who
> listens to them? People with cultivated tastes? People with
> sophisticated appreciation? No. It's the stupid demographic.
> Would Sunny have played Mozart? When was the last time Oasis
> played Coltrane or Bird? Does 92.5 even have a copy of Blind
> Faith?
> Would KLUV play Shawn Phillips? When was the last time
> ANYBODY played a Joni Mitchell album track? Loudon
> Wainwright the Third? FUGGEDDABOUDIT. There's a reason
> Prairie Home Companion is on public radio. It's just not
> commercially viable if it doesn't appeal to the LOWEST
> COMMON DENOMINATOR.
>


It's all about reaching the masses. People with cultivated tastes are in the distinct minority.
 
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