Radio war!

[trhodes96]

Opie and Anthony got into a huge on-air fight with the guys that follow them in NY - JV and Elvis. O&A went over a half hour because of a personal issue Anthony was having. (Great radio) - Well, JV and Elvis thought it was disrespectful. It turned into an all out radio brawl! It was GREAT!!! Check the New York boards for more info...

When Southside and I were doing afternoons, we went after the RG's a few times. It was legit, not made up, and it made for fun radio! Our PD shut us down! Wouldn't let us talk about them at all unless it was ass kissing. He didn't feel it was good for the radio station.

I debated that "disharmony" was compelling, "harmony" was BORING! He didn't agree. Soon after, we were fired!

My question is this; do radio wars make for good listening??


Tim R

 

[content]

depends on the specific situation.

in most cases regarding music stations, it is probably best to have a unified station. (Even if you have a talk-based morning show and and a talk-based afernoon show)

in the case of Free-FM, they are primarily a talk station and this could serve to get them a bit of attention - which they desparately need.

NYC Free FM is a different animal then 96 Rock though.

 

[FloydB]

Yeah, but 96Rock's attitude, at that time, was about "attitude". It was about jocks doing what they want to do when they want to do it and sticking it to the man. But, for some odd reason, when you stuck it to the man, you got canned by the man 'cause you were doing what they wanted you to do, then you went just a *little* too far. Everything's all right with the station until it gets the station in trouble. Yeah, it's "entertaining, compelling radio" for the suits right now, but when one of their advertiser buddies threatens to pull out because they're "offended", then somebody gets fired. Somehow that makes everything right in the radio world.

 

[DashRiprock]

FloydB is on the right track. It’s a fine line that really depends on the numbers. It’s like the difference between crazy and eccentric is how much money you have.

With Southside/Rhodes vs. TRG, I made it a point to listen to both shows when Steve’s “trump card” bit was running.

 

[atlantascum]

Southside and Rhodes were boring on their short lived afternoon show. Any and all bits they did were boring. It was unlistenable radio. I tried. They were let go, not because of one thing, but because the show was putrid. SS is good when he has real talent making him look good, aka Larry and Eric. On his own, well we all know the answer to that one.

 

[DashRiprock]

Southside and Rhodes were boring on their short lived afternoon show. Any and all bits they did were boring. It was unlistenable radio. I tried.

That’s your opinion, and that’s cool. A lot of people agree with you, but I liked Southside and Rhodes.

If the top station pulls a high 8 or low 9, that tells me that over 90% of listeners could think you suck, but if the rest listen you’re the king of the hill!

 

[trhodes96]

Southside and Rhodes were boring on their short lived afternoon show. Any and all bits they did were boring. It was unlistenable radio. I tried. They were let go, not because of one thing, but because the show was putrid. SS is good when he has real talent making him look good, aka Larry and Eric. On his own, well we all know the answer to that one.

The question wasn't whether you liked our show or not...but that's cool. You didn't like our show - I'm ok with that. Although I will say our last book, we were #2 with men 25-54. They haven't seen those numbers in afternoons since we left. We generated good ratings despite the same Zep songs daily.

Anyway...

I disagree that everyone has to get along for a station to work. I think it's the shows that matter. Not everyone that enjoys "Extreme Home Makeover" likes "Desperate Housewives," yet both shows are successful. People aren't loyal to ABC, they're loyal to their favorite shows.

 

[automationasphyxiation]

Great topic!

Comparisons to network television are like comparing Apples to Jumbalaya. Television networks represent a wide variety of content appealing to a wide variety of lifestyles. In contrast, radio stations tend to target a specific demo/lifestyle and generally operate with the goal of creating P-1 listeners who will be loyal to all of the dayparts, (so they can hear their favorite Zeppelin song whenever the turn on the radio!).

With that said, 'conflict' has the potential to create drama/entertainment value if executed properly. However, I'm of the opinion that the conflict is better served at creating animosity toward a competitor (or other outside force).

 

[jerrydcore]

Southside and Rhodes were boring on their short lived afternoon show. Any and all bits they did were boring. It was unlistenable radio. I tried. They were let go, not because of one thing, but because the show was putrid. SS is good when he has real talent making him look good, aka Larry and Eric. On his own, well we all know the answer to that one.

The question wasn't whether you liked our show or not...but that's cool. You didn't like our show - I'm ok with that. Although I will say our last book, we were #2 with men 25-54. They haven't seen those numbers in afternoons since we left.

You mean to say there was an actual #2 ranked show in the building when I was there? No wonder I got rid of it.

Gotta go and get back to "consulting".

 

[livingfruitvirus]

I actually enjoy those on-air scream fests.

 

[DashRiprock]

Great topic!

However, I'm of the opinion that the conflict is better served at creating animosity toward a competitor (or other outside force).

But if you do that, Barnes will sue.

 

[FloydB]

I disagree that everyone has to get along for a station to work. I think it's the shows that matter. Not everyone that enjoys "Extreme Home Makeover" likes "Desperate Housewives," yet both shows are successful. People aren't loyal to ABC, they're loyal to their favorite shows.

Great topic!

Comparisons to network television are like comparing Apples to Jumbalaya. Television networks represent a wide variety of content appealing to a wide variety of lifestyles. In contrast, radio stations tend to target a specific demo/lifestyle and generally operate with the goal of creating P-1 listeners who will be loyal to all of the dayparts, (so they can hear their favorite Zeppelin song whenever the turn on the radio!).

With that said, 'conflict' has the potential to create drama/entertainment value if executed properly. However, I'm of the opinion that the conflict is better served at creating animosity toward a competitor (or other outside force).

I agree with Tim here on this one. Usually a good "slow down" midday show would follow a high-energy morning show, then the energy would kick back up for afternoon drive. Yeah, radio stations target a certain genre of people, but if you really, REALLY look at television, they do the same thing too. CBS targets geriatrics, ABC targets families, and NBC targets younger, single persons. Now, all three are starting to generalize a little bit, but the core is still there. If you look close enough, you'll see it.

For example: I am 30 yrs old and work a night job in which I get off at 9 in the morning. I need a high-energy morning show that's still around from 9-10 that can keep me awake until I get home. Now what show in this market fits me? As of late, unfortunately, it's been Steve and Vicky. I hate 'em but I can at least get a traffic report on the station. Even before they let Barnes go, they tried 5-9 at Dave (which they're still going with under the current moniker) which does me no good since they're gone before I even get to my car. 99X had the 9 @ 9, which I did get to hear Axel seg a few songs every now and then, But no compelling radio. Bert Show: forget it. Reg Guys: I tried to listen for two seconds but those two seconds annoyed me.

Now, any show after 10 does nothing for me, since I'll be in the bed. But, for the rest of you 9-5 workaholics, pending on your job and workplace, you need a good radio show that keeps you occupied throughout the day. Steve Craig, Mara Davis, and Tripp West are all three great midday personalities, and their midday shows are completely different than their morning counterparts. Hence, Tim's comparison to the television programs. Sorry this is kinda long, but I felt I had to break it down for those who's bulbs are not so bright.

 

[Miss_Anthrope]

I agree with Tim here on this one. Usually a good "slow down" midday show would follow a high-energy morning show, then the energy would kick back up for afternoon drive. Yeah, radio stations target a certain genre of people, but if you really, REALLY look at television, they do the same thing too. CBS targets geriatrics, ABC targets families, and NBC targets younger, single persons. Now, all three are starting to generalize a little bit, but the core is still there. If you look close enough, you'll see it.

two "geriatric" CBS shows: CSI (obliatory sexy scene, interior craium shot), Rock Star Supernova
two "family" ABC shows: Desperate Housewives, Wife Swap
two "younger" NBC shows: Law & Order (X4), Tonight Show with Jay Leno

I think automationasphyxiation said it as good as anyone ever has. Station target ONE demo. You'd never have Regular Guys on in the morning, Ryan Cameron in the afternoon. That's why they have the entire "art" of positioning. To tell the demo-- "Hey, you belong here, redneck-- join us."

TV doesn't do that. They promote shows, not lifestyle. Are there exceptions? Sure, from time to time, but on the whole that's the difference.

That said, I've never been a fan of infighting on a station. If, at the end of the day, it's just one big nutty family... well, that can work, depends on talent. But usually, these "riffs" are very, very real and are bourne of jealousy some very real hate. And I mean HATE. Not "family" infighting. I agree that joined forces against competition is always better.

 

[GSUVindicator]

Opie and Anthony got into a huge on-air fight with the guys that follow them in NY - JV and Elvis. O&A went over a half hour because of a personal issue Anthony was having. (Great radio) - Well, JV and Elvis thought it was disrespectful. It turned into an all out radio brawl! It was GREAT!!! Check the New York boards for more info...

When Southside and I were doing afternoons, we went after the RG's a few times. It was legit, not made up, and it made for fun radio! Our PD shut us down! Wouldn't let us talk about them at all unless it was ass kissing. He didn't feel it was good for the radio station.

I debated that "disharmony" was compelling, "harmony" was BORING! He didn't agree. Soon after, we were fired!

My question is this; do radio wars make for good listening??


Tim R

It depends. Internal politics and affairs should be left off the radio as you find people using valuable air time to go after the other host or to respond back what was said. People like me just want music if you are music playing station or good talk if you a talk station. Too many of these DJs are talking way too much when they should be playing more music. If they want to talk,then they need to convert to a talk show.

 

[sduncan]

It depends. Internal politics and affairs should be left off the radio as you find people using valuable air time to go after the other host or to respond back what was said. People like me just want music if you are music playing station or good talk if you a talk station. Too many of these DJs are talking way too much when they should be playing more music. If they want to talk,then they need to convert to a talk show.



Amen!

 

[jackrocks]

Southside and Rhodes were boring on their short lived afternoon show. Any and all bits they did were boring. It was unlistenable radio. I tried. They were let go, not because of one thing, but because the show was putrid. SS is good when he has real talent making him look good, aka Larry and Eric. On his own, well we all know the answer to that one.

The question wasn't whether you liked our show or not...but that's cool. You didn't like our show - I'm ok with that. Although I will say our last book, we were #2 with men 25-54. They haven't seen those numbers in afternoons since we left. We generated good ratings despite the same Zep songs daily.

Anyway...

I disagree that everyone has to get along for a station to work. I think it's the shows that matter. Not everyone that enjoys "Extreme Home Makeover" likes "Desperate Housewives," yet both shows are successful. People aren't loyal to ABC, they're loyal to their favorite shows.

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radio is not t.v. t..v has a ton of different shows and in the case of 96 rock there is only 3 prime time programs per week, a.m. drive middays and pm drive. as i recall s and r were telling listeners that TRG sucks and you should not listen to the show which by the way is the best daypart on a struggling radio station. that being the case why would you ask your listeners not to listen to the show? and why is it always about the pd or the songs... most people found the s and r show to be lame and they still haven't gotten a gig infact southside is now working for FREE and back on the morning show he claimed he would NEVER return too. point is... the show isn't good enough to get a new job and it's time for rhodes to put the past behind him and move ahead. stop blaming everyone else and look in the mirror.

 

[content]

Whoa JackRocks....very spirited for your first post.

While I disagree with Rhodes's philosophy of internal conflict hitting the airwaves, that does not mean he's not good on the air. If memory serves correct, Rhodes and Southside Steve had decent numbers, but their show was not the direction that the 96Rock programmers wanted to go.

Also, there are several other Atlanta personalities who have sat out longer than Rhodes and Southside Steve to end up in a decent gig. Air talent has to make a decision....do they keep moving to find the new gig? Or, do they patiently wait for the right local fit?