• 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

THE FORMAT OF THE FUTURE - WHAT WILL IT BE?

J

joshzz

Right now all the talk is about the TALK RADIO Format migrating to the FM dial, but that's not really big news. To me, this is nothing exciting.

Most recently, the most exciting format change that took place in recent years occurred when 104.5 - formerly Sunny 104.5, then more recently it was Spanish - FLIPPED to become an alternative rock station.

I also liked when LIFT FM came into existence - the first Christian Radio Station in the US that also plays a regular rotation of clean, secular songs

WHAT'S THE NEXT GREAT RADIO FORMAT?

Love to hear your thoughts on this. josh
 
I've often said here that the next format will be no format. We are in the dying days of format radio, especially with regards to music.

Where we're heading is music that isn't limited by genre, but by demographic.
 
The "Lift FM" idea really is nothing new....(assuming Lift is a current station)....There was an FM in San Bernardino CA, I think either the 95.1 or 99.1 that had it in 1982.

Australian Christian stations seem to have a secular mix in all their playlists. If there are exceptions, I'm curious....

Here in Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, because of a heavy Hispanic population, we have about 5 or 6 FMs that have mainly Spanish-oriented music & DJs, mostly in different musical styles.....so I think the Talk-on-FM or Sports-on-FM here in the MIA might have to wait a bit longer than other markets.

Aside from "no format," the only viable solution on AM in the States would be the brokered format, which we already have here on a few stations. Brokered on AM, and the former music formats on AM have practically all moved to FM. (I am still surprised that Radio Disney is mostly AM...some kinda tax write-off? Certainly nobody today hears a child clamoring for mom or dad to buy an AM radio.)

cd
 
I hate to think of it, but in brokered stations, could the next format be all infomercials? Or does that already exist? (PLEASE NO!!!) :eek:
 
I think the infomercials do exist....on weekends on some talk stations that need money, they have doctor ads, colon cleansing shows, etc. But as far as an "all-infomercial" radio format, none exist that I know....but stick around!

cd
 
In the 80's in Dallas, we actually tried to start a new format mixing country and rap. We wanted to brand it "K-RAP" but everybody called it crap - which is what it really sounded like. :D

We didn't try to sell it.
 
A radio format of music from TV programs, movies, and video games.
 
If it's all-informercials, I won't be listening to it...I mean, who wants to listen to talk about colon cleansing, taking care of prostate glands, etc..??
 
Infomercials..sort of. I heard one station that lined up advertisers who got commercials and talk shows. Think doctors, lawyers, auto mechanics, tax/CPA folks, counselors, flower/garden nurseries and the list goes on. The format is 'help' talk shows where the 'expert' is the owner of the business that buys the advertising package on the station.

Its a tough sell, but in each type of business there's a person with enough knowledge and the radio bug strong enough to make it happen. The shows, with a jock keeping it all together, featured listener's calls.

I think this could work, especially on the AM dial.
 
Some markets might explore Tourist Information Radio. The all talk format runs commercial and short produced features for the visitor of the area, including a Calendar of Events and short forecast. The format repeats anywhere from every 15 minutes to every couple of hours. The requirement is you need to be a tourist/visitor hub through the year. I think many of the largest markets might be a possibility.

Know of any stations doing this? I've known of many such stations in the past. In fact, one added music performed by artists visitors could see in local venues.

One station even aired all advertising except for about 2 minutes an hour for features and weather.
 
bturner said:
Some markets might explore Tourist Information Radio. The all talk format runs commercial and short produced features for the visitor of the area, including a Calendar of Events and short forecast. The format repeats anywhere from every 15 minutes to every couple of hours. The requirement is you need to be a tourist/visitor hub through the year. I think many of the largest markets might be a possibility.

Know of any stations doing this? I've known of many such stations in the past. In fact, one added music performed by artists visitors could see in local venues.

One station even aired all advertising except for about 2 minutes an hour for features and weather.
Click to expand...

I meant to mention this format. The state of Florida was going to attempt a small network of Travelers' Information Radio affiliates, the main one being the former WTIR 1680 near Orlando....but the network never came to pass.

But what else will there be for AM, once news/talk migrates to FM in all the major markets?

cd
 
cd637299 said:
But what else will there be for AM, once news/talk migrates to FM in all the major markets?
Click to expand...

Paid religion, All Colon Blow All The Time, brokered ethnic/foreign-language (other than Spanish) programming, a few sports stations that won't be able to move, and other specialty formats.

But the big question is what will happen to the 50 kW blowtorches in another 10 years? Bonneville and CBS are already simulcasting or moving their news and/or sports formats to FM. Others will have to follow. Once folks are more used to listening to them on FM, the big AM stick will be a waste of money.

Then there's the unfortunate Tribune Company, who is prohibited from buying an FM stick for WGN in Chicago without selling one or more of their current properties there. Of all the 50,000 watters, they are probably in the deepest doo-doo in the next few years.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom