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Seacrest problem
- Thread starter franksandhotdogs
- Start date
F
Frank72
Guest
I worked at a CHR with a big buzz morning show constantly receiving offers from competition and his ratings matched or at times were slightly under the drive jock's ratings. I think this is often case with CHR with kids getting out of school, the drive home, etc. If you were to swap Jesse with Ryan, the morning ratings would drop considerably. Ryan has more competition in the morning than Jesse does on the drive home. Am I right? And if you look at any CHR's night ratings, they're through the roof. We're #1 in most demos after 6pm. #1 12+ where we're #4 12+ anytime before 6pm. And I have two swing jocks who share evenings.
MassMusicMan
Banned
This thread title is an oxymoron.
Of course he's not Howard Stern...Howard Stern asks questions that some people find offensive and don't care to answer. For every celebrity interview that Howard lands, there's 10 celebrities that would never set foot in his studio. Howard Stern will never interview Angelina Jolie or Julia Roberts, because neither of them will talk about their breasts or vagina.
They will, however, answer innocuous questions about their new films, which is where Seacrest comes in. I'm not going to sit and listen to his show...but he knows that people will answer all his questions, because he's not in the business of humiliating famous people in a one-on-one setting.
Bland questions are still better than somebody being paid to read an index card.
Of course he's not Howard Stern...Howard Stern asks questions that some people find offensive and don't care to answer. For every celebrity interview that Howard lands, there's 10 celebrities that would never set foot in his studio. Howard Stern will never interview Angelina Jolie or Julia Roberts, because neither of them will talk about their breasts or vagina.
They will, however, answer innocuous questions about their new films, which is where Seacrest comes in. I'm not going to sit and listen to his show...but he knows that people will answer all his questions, because he's not in the business of humiliating famous people in a one-on-one setting.
Bland questions are still better than somebody being paid to read an index card.
The blog turns to Lee Abrams for insight on what's wrong with radio today? Many believe that it was Lee Abrams that destroyed free-form Progressive Rock by insisting that Rock Radio follow very tight programming rules the way Top 40 does.
Anyway, every medium has its cutting edge and its mass appeal content. Newspapers have their op-ed sections and their comics. TV has its "Dexter" and its "Regis & Kelly." As for radio, I like Rush Limbaugh and Ryan Seacreast; it just depends on which mood I'm in.
Anyway, every medium has its cutting edge and its mass appeal content. Newspapers have their op-ed sections and their comics. TV has its "Dexter" and its "Regis & Kelly." As for radio, I like Rush Limbaugh and Ryan Seacreast; it just depends on which mood I'm in.
When a female in the demo writes a blog post similar to this example, only THEN will it be interesting.
The biggest problem I've seen with the show is stations' complete lack of integration into the station. SO many excuses about how non-local the show is, yet there is a TON of flexibility (in all but the satellite version) to make the show a part of the station. But do most stations do anything about it? Nope. Now who is at fault?
If you listen to WLDI/West Palm, or WXXL/Orlando, you'll hear good (sometimes great) examples of integration into the station. But most are too lazy or too resentful about the cram-down to actually make it sound good. Yet ironically, WIHT/DC, which doesn't do a great job of integration (in my opinion), still has better ratings with Ryan versus the local girl that was in there before him. Just sayin'...
The biggest problem I've seen with the show is stations' complete lack of integration into the station. SO many excuses about how non-local the show is, yet there is a TON of flexibility (in all but the satellite version) to make the show a part of the station. But do most stations do anything about it? Nope. Now who is at fault?
If you listen to WLDI/West Palm, or WXXL/Orlando, you'll hear good (sometimes great) examples of integration into the station. But most are too lazy or too resentful about the cram-down to actually make it sound good. Yet ironically, WIHT/DC, which doesn't do a great job of integration (in my opinion), still has better ratings with Ryan versus the local girl that was in there before him. Just sayin'...
I was just about to write about the same thing that whitfm wrote about this on the Altanta board. The blog's point was that Seacrest doesn't bring anything new under the table except for name recognition (from hosting 'American Idol'), and Shelley Wade at Z100 can also deliver content that's compelling, interesting, funny, memorable, etc. as well as bring in celeb guests. Not on how stations produce and interrogate the show. Ryan won't be a part of station/community events on all 150 or so affiliates nor take requests from the listeners. Yes, the show will get better ratings in some markets than others.
I know, I know. All syndicated radio is bad. LOCAL LOCAL LOCAL! :
I really wish people would actually listen to radio stations, instead of just barking about the principles of what SHOULD work. Most midday jocks SUCK! There, I said it. Sure, Shelley Wade COULD do all that...but did she? Look, I've barely ever listened to her, so I have no idea...just posing the question. But my point is, New York may be the ONLY situation in which you could make that argument and have it really stick. A $20k/year midday jock in Columbus, GA just does not have the skills to relate to his/her audience. That's one thing I DO blame corporate radio for. Cultivating/training talent has been an abysmal afterthought in big companies. I concede that. But setting that aside, I have a tough time blaming companies for taking someone who has star power (just because you hate him, doesn't mean he's not recognizable as a star), who relates to women, and who has MUCH better content than your liner-card reader, and utilizing him.
As to your "community" issue, let me say the following:
- The majority of radio stations SUCK at on-air-based community stuff, outside of morning drive, which isn't the issue here. What is it you think you're losing because you put this show on? This is, of course, if you're talking about on the air. Off the air also makes this a non-issue, because you don't need Ryan showing up to your events to be involved in the community.
- What's the stat? Less than 1% of your audience calls a radio station? Who cares about requests? Your listeners have been craving ENTERTAINMENT. And they want it in the 10-15 minutes a day they are willing to give you, as it fits into their busy schedule. They don't have time to call your station, so this is a non-factor (even though Ryan actually DOES have the ability to take their calls).
If you integrate (not interrogate) the show into your radio station, it makes him a part of what you're about, and it's whatever YOU make of it. Get him to voice community outreach promos. Get him to promote something in your community. Do SOMETHING other than just turning over your station for three hours, throwing your hands in the air, and blaming faceless corporate radio for your laziness.
The fact is, this, like many things that happen when you work for a big company, is what you make of it. It sounding like sh!t on the air is indicative of radio people caring more themselves than their audience, which is REALLY what has been the problem with radio for years.
I really wish people would actually listen to radio stations, instead of just barking about the principles of what SHOULD work. Most midday jocks SUCK! There, I said it. Sure, Shelley Wade COULD do all that...but did she? Look, I've barely ever listened to her, so I have no idea...just posing the question. But my point is, New York may be the ONLY situation in which you could make that argument and have it really stick. A $20k/year midday jock in Columbus, GA just does not have the skills to relate to his/her audience. That's one thing I DO blame corporate radio for. Cultivating/training talent has been an abysmal afterthought in big companies. I concede that. But setting that aside, I have a tough time blaming companies for taking someone who has star power (just because you hate him, doesn't mean he's not recognizable as a star), who relates to women, and who has MUCH better content than your liner-card reader, and utilizing him.
As to your "community" issue, let me say the following:
- The majority of radio stations SUCK at on-air-based community stuff, outside of morning drive, which isn't the issue here. What is it you think you're losing because you put this show on? This is, of course, if you're talking about on the air. Off the air also makes this a non-issue, because you don't need Ryan showing up to your events to be involved in the community.
- What's the stat? Less than 1% of your audience calls a radio station? Who cares about requests? Your listeners have been craving ENTERTAINMENT. And they want it in the 10-15 minutes a day they are willing to give you, as it fits into their busy schedule. They don't have time to call your station, so this is a non-factor (even though Ryan actually DOES have the ability to take their calls).
If you integrate (not interrogate) the show into your radio station, it makes him a part of what you're about, and it's whatever YOU make of it. Get him to voice community outreach promos. Get him to promote something in your community. Do SOMETHING other than just turning over your station for three hours, throwing your hands in the air, and blaming faceless corporate radio for your laziness.
The fact is, this, like many things that happen when you work for a big company, is what you make of it. It sounding like sh!t on the air is indicative of radio people caring more themselves than their audience, which is REALLY what has been the problem with radio for years.
I'm not blaming "McRadio" on anything... you brought that up.
All local radio is BAD BAD BAD! Sure, syndicated shows are better alternatives than a local shift in many cases. But I brought up Shelley Wade because the resources and local talent are already in New York (Z100 doesn't hire crappy jocks, FTW). I'm not gonna "fix" something that's not broke at my station by picking up his show in middays/PM drive, our all-request Old Skool Lunch is one our biggest hours of the day where we play 80s and 90s back in the day requests. If your competition isn't doing one, you should talk to your managers and see if you can give it a shot.
Up to 20% of P1's request songs, which do 75% of the listening at your station. I sit in studio for 5 hours and take requests, because A) they have FUN hearing songs they requested on the radio (in most cases it's coming up in [category] rotation), B) it gives us a barometer of what our listeners like musically, and C) some of those listeners who call in can be put on-air to ENTERTAIN (after editing it).
I totally agree on making syndicated shows a part of your station rather than sounding like your station is tuning into them. You can put local stabs at the end of Seacrest's breaks (as well as AT40).
You may continue assuming I'm jealous of Seacrest... :
All local radio is BAD BAD BAD! Sure, syndicated shows are better alternatives than a local shift in many cases. But I brought up Shelley Wade because the resources and local talent are already in New York (Z100 doesn't hire crappy jocks, FTW). I'm not gonna "fix" something that's not broke at my station by picking up his show in middays/PM drive, our all-request Old Skool Lunch is one our biggest hours of the day where we play 80s and 90s back in the day requests. If your competition isn't doing one, you should talk to your managers and see if you can give it a shot.
Up to 20% of P1's request songs, which do 75% of the listening at your station. I sit in studio for 5 hours and take requests, because A) they have FUN hearing songs they requested on the radio (in most cases it's coming up in [category] rotation), B) it gives us a barometer of what our listeners like musically, and C) some of those listeners who call in can be put on-air to ENTERTAIN (after editing it).
I totally agree on making syndicated shows a part of your station rather than sounding like your station is tuning into them. You can put local stabs at the end of Seacrest's breaks (as well as AT40).
You may continue assuming I'm jealous of Seacrest... :
franksandhotdogs said:
Not suggesting you did. You're not the only person I was responding to. Consider that part of my conversation preemptive to all the inevitable "corporate destroyed radio" rebuttals, which was the topic of the article you posted, and will likely be part of the discussion at some point.
How many times are you going to copy and paste that silly paragraph, and why do you keep using your (in my opinion) terribly programmed radio station as a defense against what I'm suggesting?
Where are Earth did you get that misinformed statistic? Not to mention, are you aware of how few of your actual "heavy" users are really legitimate P1's to the station?
Welcome to radio from the 80's. I hope you're making sure you also have enough Brown Bag Stagers and Simpson Drops in your imaging!
You may continue assuming I'm jealous of Seacrest... :
I appreciate you trying to make it about you. Like I said...a typical radio person reaction to this situation...and it remains the problem with the industry. EVOLVE.
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
As an old school listener, I like live and local. I see Seacrest, Tesh, Delilah, Tom Kent, Elvis Duran, Kane, Mancow, Elliot, Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey and on and on as harbringers of the day when all programming will be syndicated, off the bird, VT'ed, or even a network of formats. Maybe AM drive will remain. The top rated 12+ station in Tampa ( although not a CHR) is automated all the time except AM drive. None of these shows or people may be doing bad stuff. It's just they seem to radio's future.
Voicetracking is a part of radio, and is here to stay. And FM's were automated back in the day as well. The best syndicated shows are the ones where the audience can identify with the host and what he/she is talking about. John Tesh does that, and someone on the ATL board mentioned Steve Harvey does that as well (I've never heard his show). Both of them also have the draw of their names. If you're blathering on with/about Heidi from "The Hills", the audience doesn't identify with you no matter who the host is, especially in middays! I predict once the novelty wears off, people will get sick of Seacrest (remember, his "On Air" TV show flopped), just like Jack FM. Bob & Tom in a market I once worked in dominated the numbers for years, then a good local morning show came along and destroyed B&T.
To quote Puff Daddy, "it's all about the Benjamins!" Why do small market stations carry high school football? Because they're serving their community? Uh, no...because you can make money. You don't make money in the long-term by lowering ad rates, then cutting overhead to make up for lower rates, then the competition has to do the same thing so they wouldn't get beat out of buys, and then the product becomes diluted, thus you lose relevancy with the listener and the client. Sure, there's profit in the short term, but radio won't be viable in the future.
A CHR station not carrying Seacrest DOESN'T make it a bad station (his show isn't bad and he is talented, but that's not the point). He's successful in LA because he's in LA, and he was successful in ATL because he was in ATL. I have no personal vendetta against Seacrest, and I understand about having to do what you're told, even if it's to slash payroll and carry the FTP'd KIIS morning show bits in a can due to a corporate mandate. Who will be the up-and-coming superstars when talent is currently seen as an "expense", rather than an "asset"?
We both agree that radio has its problems and needs to evolve, but with different opinions. We both agree that reminiscing about life before dereg is like thinking about an ex-girlfriend. You miss the great parts and forget about all the crap and the reason why you broke up. Owners have always been about money, even 30 years ago.
To quote Puff Daddy, "it's all about the Benjamins!" Why do small market stations carry high school football? Because they're serving their community? Uh, no...because you can make money. You don't make money in the long-term by lowering ad rates, then cutting overhead to make up for lower rates, then the competition has to do the same thing so they wouldn't get beat out of buys, and then the product becomes diluted, thus you lose relevancy with the listener and the client. Sure, there's profit in the short term, but radio won't be viable in the future.
A CHR station not carrying Seacrest DOESN'T make it a bad station (his show isn't bad and he is talented, but that's not the point). He's successful in LA because he's in LA, and he was successful in ATL because he was in ATL. I have no personal vendetta against Seacrest, and I understand about having to do what you're told, even if it's to slash payroll and carry the FTP'd KIIS morning show bits in a can due to a corporate mandate. Who will be the up-and-coming superstars when talent is currently seen as an "expense", rather than an "asset"?
We both agree that radio has its problems and needs to evolve, but with different opinions. We both agree that reminiscing about life before dereg is like thinking about an ex-girlfriend. You miss the great parts and forget about all the crap and the reason why you broke up. Owners have always been about money, even 30 years ago.
franksandhotdogs said:
Wow. Talk about a microcosm of bad CHR programming. What audience are you talking about??
Hang on...don't answer that...forgot you're the guy that thinks playing bad 70's records in middays is helping him. We just must have different opinions as to what a CHR audience is. I can live with that.
And before anyone suggests that I'm saying you HAVE to talk about the Hills to be relevant, I'm not. But to suggest that by doing so, your audience doesn't identify, it makes me feel sorry for you.
Roger That said:
A 28 year old single mom busting her ass at work in middays probably doesn't have time to care about the Paris Hilton and other celeb stuff (which is most of the show). Yes, there is an audience for that, but not everyone wants to hear Entertainment Tonight while they work... they want pop music. CHR is about playing all types of good music and connecting with the listener.
And our Old Skool Lunch is all request, about half 80s and half 90s (as well as a few early 2000s), and there is an occasional 70s here and there. BTW, we aren't doing the Steve Miller promotion anymore so we aren't playing 70s Steve Miller songs daily. Oh, and we give away fun prizes and air phoners during the noon hour as well. Our airstaff is just as capable of reading Hollywood headlines, along with doing live appearances and remotes, book interviews with artists/celebs, so we can interact and connect with the listener.
I can tell you that he saves full time salaries!
franksandhotdogs said:
Zzzzzzzz. You really think you get most of your listening at-work?
Oh great...THIS tired speech again.
Yay! More 80's radio! Fun prizes and teenagers requesting songs! YAY!
Ah...but DO they? 10 bucks says they're too busy reading liners your GM sold to really connect with anyone and do the much heralded "live and local." Which, btw, doesn't count if you're just reading a promo for an upcoming remote.
MassMusicMan
Banned
I'm done taking Franks seriously after he just said that his CHR did a Steve Miller promotion.
Roger That, your snoring at the responses to you isn't a valid argument; just a display of immaturity.
So let me get this right... airing phone calls and giving away prizes is '80s radio, then?' Wow; somebody needs to alert the MAJORITY of CHRs (yeah, guess what, the non-Seacrest CHRs still outnumber the CClones) that they're ALLL still stuck in the 1980s, then.
Wow, Kidd Kraddick, with his 70-plus affiliates, carrying his show live, is just SOOO old school, with their phone-ins and over-the-phone contests and giveaways.
Poor Open House Party, with their affiliates coast-to-coast and around the world, being so "retro" as to, you know, taking calls and airing requests. Ack. How "1980s radio" of them...
"Teenagers. Yay" you say...
...that's the next 18-24 and 18-34 demo... they're also more disenfranchised from radio than we were, growing up. What, with Seacrest on in PM drive in many markets, out-of-market or voice-tracked our automated night shifts... that sort of mentality is what's going to lead contemporary radio to its early and untimely demise.
You're right; you can air syndicated programming, and bust your tail to weave into the station. We do that w/Kraddick...the cast intros songs (we VT 'em in the night before) and read local promos and liners and such; and yeah, I go through the trouble of tossing Seacrest station stabs into AT40, as well...have for years.
But I don't do those things because I think I'm fooling the average listener...I do it 'cause as a PD, I'd LIKE to think a casual listener, who might wind up w/an arbitron diary, would actually catch my station's name sometime within the 10-15-20 minutes those segments can go w/out otherwise a station image being aired.
If Seacrest weren't on 'Idol,' that show's ratings wouldn't suffer because of his departure; similarly, that show would've been wildly successful were he there or not, too, I dare say. And if Seacrest were just so immensely "talented" beyond the reach of most jocks, and brought such "star power" to the airwaves, then why aren't Pds just "blown away" with massive ratings spikes from airing AT40 all this time? I mean, look at all the CHRs that choose to air Dawson McAllister or Open House Party inSTEAD of putting Seacrest on Sunday nights, for example?
So let me get this right... airing phone calls and giving away prizes is '80s radio, then?' Wow; somebody needs to alert the MAJORITY of CHRs (yeah, guess what, the non-Seacrest CHRs still outnumber the CClones) that they're ALLL still stuck in the 1980s, then.
Wow, Kidd Kraddick, with his 70-plus affiliates, carrying his show live, is just SOOO old school, with their phone-ins and over-the-phone contests and giveaways.
Poor Open House Party, with their affiliates coast-to-coast and around the world, being so "retro" as to, you know, taking calls and airing requests. Ack. How "1980s radio" of them...
"Teenagers. Yay" you say...
...that's the next 18-24 and 18-34 demo... they're also more disenfranchised from radio than we were, growing up. What, with Seacrest on in PM drive in many markets, out-of-market or voice-tracked our automated night shifts... that sort of mentality is what's going to lead contemporary radio to its early and untimely demise.
You're right; you can air syndicated programming, and bust your tail to weave into the station. We do that w/Kraddick...the cast intros songs (we VT 'em in the night before) and read local promos and liners and such; and yeah, I go through the trouble of tossing Seacrest station stabs into AT40, as well...have for years.
But I don't do those things because I think I'm fooling the average listener...I do it 'cause as a PD, I'd LIKE to think a casual listener, who might wind up w/an arbitron diary, would actually catch my station's name sometime within the 10-15-20 minutes those segments can go w/out otherwise a station image being aired.
If Seacrest weren't on 'Idol,' that show's ratings wouldn't suffer because of his departure; similarly, that show would've been wildly successful were he there or not, too, I dare say. And if Seacrest were just so immensely "talented" beyond the reach of most jocks, and brought such "star power" to the airwaves, then why aren't Pds just "blown away" with massive ratings spikes from airing AT40 all this time? I mean, look at all the CHRs that choose to air Dawson McAllister or Open House Party inSTEAD of putting Seacrest on Sunday nights, for example?
Ron Roberts said:
Hearing the same tired arguments while radio is in a constant state of decline bores me. Never said it was a valid argument...just my opinion. Did you read any further? I asked a "valid argument" question that never got answered.
YES! EXACTLY! Does anyone here actually LISTEN to radio stations? Or do we just assume that it's evolved without actually checking to see for sure? Most radio stations have done nothing to evolve in the past 20-30 years. Our audience has! Actually LISTEN with a critical ear and you'll hear what I mean.
Look at the big picture. It's about the mentality. Thinking that airing teenagers and giving away Taco Bell gift certificates is making an impact is old, out-dated, and not relevant to the audience.
You're missing the point. First, Kidd is a morning show. Mornings have nothing to do with this discussion. Second, if you knew anything about the history of the show, you'd know that Kidd went through a period where was losing affiliates at an alarming rate because his show had NOT evolved. He was committed to a rebirth, achieved it, and is now successful. Third, Kidd airs calls that will impact his audience. The topics are relevant, and so is the contesting. Not to mention, he doesn't have to rely on contesting to get his content, which many radio stations do.
Now this is just silly...if there were ever a perfect example of a bad, out-of-touch, "put all the teenage boys on that you can," radio show, Open House Party is it. The lack of evolution in THAT show contributes to the perceived demise of radio more than anything else brought up in this thread.
So, we should be airing teenagers' phone calls as a way to save the format? LOL Have you no interest in the adult audience you also have? You can be relevant to teens without airing Jonas Brothers requests. To suggest that you can't shows a severe lack of creativity.
Look at the percentage of adults that listen on Sunday nights. There's a great opportunity to be relevant to teens on Sunday night, because it's either that, or nothing. That's why a lot of random things have 50-shares in that daypart. Your average user isn't listening to the radio. Knowing where your audience is coming from goes a long way to properly programming your radio station.
And it's not about "fooling" the listener. Far from it. It's about relevance, and trying to appeal to them...giving them what they want and expect when they turn your radio station on. And I'm not saying that Seacrest is the solution. But that IS the goal. And I'd still argue that he's likely better than your $20k/year midday person that no one will remember once they've left because they do nothing to actually COMMUNICATE with their audience.
Roger That said:Ron Roberts said:
Hearing the same tired arguments while radio is in a constant state of decline bores me. Never said it was a valid argument...just my opinion. Did you read any further? I asked a "valid argument" question that never got answered.
That's right, dude...."your opinion." Folks can have opinions of varying degrees here, without stooping to "zzzzz's" and childish mockery. If you want to be taken seriously, then show likewise respect.
YES! EXACTLY! Does anyone here actually LISTEN to radio stations? Or do we just assume that it's evolved without actually checking to see for sure? Most radio stations have done nothing to evolve in the past 20-30 years. Our audience has! Actually LISTEN with a critical ear and you'll hear what I mean.
Look at the big picture. It's about the mentality. Thinking that airing teenagers and giving away Taco Bell gift certificates is making an impact is old, out-dated, and not relevant to the audience.
...but "jock-in-a-box" interviewing any Hollywood attention-vacuum snatcher" is akin to "radio evolving..." Radio stations do plenty to change with the habits of their listeners... many stations communicate back and forth via text messaging for requests and announcements...stations utlize their websites and e-mail clubs to further get the message out, or use to entertain, or to stream (you know, since some folks who listen at work do so on a computer they're parked at, anyhow). Radio has done what it can to keep up with changing trends. If ANYthing, as you've so deftly pointed out many times before, automation and syndication have been around FORever, so maybe THOSE stations aren't "evolving" towards what (my opinion) listeners prefer... knowing they're hearing, and communicating with, an actual live being instead of another pre-recorded jock from God-knows-where.
You're missing the point. First, Kidd is a morning show. Mornings have nothing to do with this discussion. Second, if you knew anything about the history of the show, you'd know that Kidd went through a period where was losing affiliates at an alarming rate because his show had NOT evolved. He was committed to a rebirth, achieved it, and is now successful. Third, Kidd airs calls that will impact his audience. The topics are relevant, and so is the contesting. Not to mention, he doesn't have to rely on contesting to get his content, which many radio stations do.
I've followed the show for many years, both as a casual listener, and in two markets, on a station that carries his show. I was in Bitboard Boot Camp the day he announced to us he was going syndicated. I remember hearing his show while in Dallas for that conference, and I've heard his show all these years since. You paint a picture of "major overhauls" when there hasn't been; the formula has worked, and any changes made have been minor tweaks.
Now this is just silly...if there were ever a perfect example of a bad, out-of-touch, "put all the teenage boys on that you can," radio show, Open House Party is it. The lack of evolution in THAT show contributes to the perceived demise of radio more than anything else brought up in this thread.
You need to listen to both nights, then; not just Saturday night. Garabedian's a unique entity in and of himself
So, we should be airing teenagers' phone calls as a way to save the format? LOL Have you no interest in the adult audience you also have? You can be relevant to teens without airing Jonas Brothers requests. To suggest that you can't shows a severe lack of creativity.
Who said you had to air teenagers' calls, dude? Just having a jock taking their requests (i.e. calls OR texts or e-mails) would help to maintain and cultivate their interest in your brand when their demo matters to ad agencies. And WHO said you would take "no interest" in the adult audience in those hours, either? So VTing out of market or automating is going to pique their interest instead? And lumping all kids' into a category where they all wanna hear Jonas Brothers' tunes shows YOU lack of touch. I program and host a PM drive show, so I hear from 'em quite a bit - they're not all requesting the same act or genre, dude...
Look at the percentage of adults that listen on Sunday nights. There's a great opportunity to be relevant to teens on Sunday night, because it's either that, or nothing. That's why a lot of random things have 50-shares in that daypart. Your average user isn't listening to the radio. Knowing where your audience is coming from goes a long way to properly programming your radio station.
And it's not about "fooling" the listener. Far from it. It's about relevance, and trying to appeal to them...giving them what they want and expect when they turn your radio station on. And I'm not saying that Seacrest is the solution. But that IS the goal. And I'd still argue that he's likely better than your $20k/year midday person that no one will remember once they've left because they do nothing to actually COMMUNICATE with their audience.
You're doing your best to lose the point in your apples/oranges and goal-post moving, though...
1. Seacrest doesn't communicate "with" the audience (as you put it...) he communicates in his own realm, whether the listener is there, or not. It's easy to mi-characterize the two, as you've done.
2. I answered your "teens on Sunday nights" quip when I mentioned there are TWO nights of OHP, and Sunday is hosted by Kannon. Done.
I'll go on record, here...your preferred method of programming contemporary radio is largely what Clear Channel's done most of their existence; I have this gut feeling the behemoths like CC and Cumulus et al., are all going to either be split up, fall apart, or take an entirely different approach to doing business soon. Their way hasn't worked; the "wheel and spoke" approach (my opinion) is a chief cause for where radio is in this country. Radio personalities in their local markets were STARS in their communities, because unlike the big-time sitcom actors or talk show hosts from TV, the average person could communicate back and forth with them - might actually meet them, feel like they had some input on "their" station. The means to do this, and do it well, and in broader strokes, exists, with advances in technology. But when VT middays doesn't answer the call, reply to the text or email, or ever show up to a station event... why should the listener bother trying?
Dude, are you a Premiere salesperson or what? You seriously underestimate the talent found in the major markets whether it's Shelley Wade at Z100, Tripp West at Star 94 and countless others moved out of the way to make room for Seacrest-in-a-can. They can deliver the same content he does along with listener interaction, more excitement and local content (local information, local contests, local website stuff, etc.) and less of the "stop-down" style that Seacrest employs on his show.
No, but at-work listening helps with TSL. Besides the 28 year old soccer mom is who is listening in the daytime (whether in a car running errands or at work), and she'll remember those 80's and 90's tunes she grew up with that we play on the Old Skool Lunch.
And some things that worked in the 80s that STILL work now don't have to change, change for the sake of change called trying too hard to reinvent the wheel. Relevant local giveways (as well as sweepers) still can affect Arb outcome, and clients usually like to be a part of those. Even in PPM markets, you want listeners to know the station they were listening to, so they'll remember to tune in next time they have the radio on.
Adults call radio stations to request songs, too. It's a form of communicating with the listener (along with the website, text messaging, etc.) The 36 year old soccer mom is usually not listening at 9:00 at night, but her 13-year old daughter is, as well as the 18 y/o college freshman. You have to cater to them a bit more, because they will be the the 18-34 demo in a few years, and later the 25-54 demo. It's better to have them listening at night than no one.
Open House Party (which we run Saturday and Sunday night) fits in that daypart on a Saturday and/or Sunday night. John Garabedian is a radio legend, Kannon does PM drive on Wired in Philly (market #4) and Kane does mornings on Hot 99.5 in DC.
And since there's no alternative/modern rock station in my market (we're a college town), we air an alternative show on late Sunday nights after OHP. DM Live gets HUGE numbers in most markets, you can use it for your community file for the FCC, and it really does help people.
If you think "live and local" doesn't matter to the listener and sucks so much, why don't you work on being a good example of being "live and local" done right then? Don't get me wrong, there ARE times where I believe a good voicetracker is better than a crappy live jock. It is a part of a PD's job to make sure the airstaff is at their fullest potential.
Speaking of which, our morning show has regular guests such as Psychic Suzanna and a local doctor (formerly a night jock on our station), who is our own Sue Johanson, answering questions called in and e-mailed by listeners that you wouldn't ask your own doctor. We have guests each Wednesday on the night show countdown, and this week we had a sorority for recruitment week and they talked about the Chris Brown/Rihanna thing as well.
In the end, everyone has their own opinion. I'm out of here, life is too short for this!
Roger That said:
No, but at-work listening helps with TSL. Besides the 28 year old soccer mom is who is listening in the daytime (whether in a car running errands or at work), and she'll remember those 80's and 90's tunes she grew up with that we play on the Old Skool Lunch.
And some things that worked in the 80s that STILL work now don't have to change, change for the sake of change called trying too hard to reinvent the wheel. Relevant local giveways (as well as sweepers) still can affect Arb outcome, and clients usually like to be a part of those. Even in PPM markets, you want listeners to know the station they were listening to, so they'll remember to tune in next time they have the radio on.
Adults call radio stations to request songs, too. It's a form of communicating with the listener (along with the website, text messaging, etc.) The 36 year old soccer mom is usually not listening at 9:00 at night, but her 13-year old daughter is, as well as the 18 y/o college freshman. You have to cater to them a bit more, because they will be the the 18-34 demo in a few years, and later the 25-54 demo. It's better to have them listening at night than no one.
Open House Party (which we run Saturday and Sunday night) fits in that daypart on a Saturday and/or Sunday night. John Garabedian is a radio legend, Kannon does PM drive on Wired in Philly (market #4) and Kane does mornings on Hot 99.5 in DC.
And since there's no alternative/modern rock station in my market (we're a college town), we air an alternative show on late Sunday nights after OHP. DM Live gets HUGE numbers in most markets, you can use it for your community file for the FCC, and it really does help people.
If you think "live and local" doesn't matter to the listener and sucks so much, why don't you work on being a good example of being "live and local" done right then? Don't get me wrong, there ARE times where I believe a good voicetracker is better than a crappy live jock. It is a part of a PD's job to make sure the airstaff is at their fullest potential.
Speaking of which, our morning show has regular guests such as Psychic Suzanna and a local doctor (formerly a night jock on our station), who is our own Sue Johanson, answering questions called in and e-mailed by listeners that you wouldn't ask your own doctor.
We have guests each Wednesday on the night show countdown, and this week we had a sorority for recruitment week and they talked about the Chris Brown/Rihanna thing as well.In the end, everyone has their own opinion. I'm out of here, life is too short for this!
- Status