The new WLYT Weekday Schedule

[wmgcbs]

I just happened to take a quick glance at WLYT.com and noticed the new AM show "AM Carolina with Jim and Jen," airing daily from 5AM-8AM. Then, Jim Shafer and Jen Byrum also host the "PM Carolina" show from 4PM to (I'm assuming) 7PM when Delilah comes on. Then, Phil Harris is hosting the 8AM-4PM shift. Wow... talk about a boatload of voicetracking.

It's sad really. I can see on weekends or overnights where voicetracking can be acceptable, but to V/T most of the day (which is what seems to be happening at WLYT) is ludicrous. And what would be even more ludicrous is if people actually believe that Jim and Jen are in during the mornings and then come back for the afternoon, after Phil Harris leaves his 8-hour shift (which, of course, is completely live). I'm not sure of the situations at other CC stations (or at CBS Stations like WKQC which has lessened the DJ's on-air presence) regarding voicetracking, but this is a really sad state. I can understand from a business standpoint these moves, but none of it really positively impacts the listener.

I know the issue of V/T has been beaten to death lately on a number of boards, but I found the new Lite102.9 schedule interesting to say the least. Thoughts, anyone?

 

[Mike Sheridan]

You most have seen the same note in "All Access" that I did. It's amazing to me, I mean it's not like these people are making boad loads of money or as if WLYT is struggling. Maybe WLYT is footing the bill for failing CC stations elsewhere...?

I wonder how they insert the traffic into afternoon drive without a live person there?

What a sad mess....

 

[eggman961]

quoting: "none of it really positively impacts the listener."


What's wrong with this statement? It indicates an assumption that the company actually CARES about the listener in the first place.

 

[Lhsh]

Not only does this show that CC could care less about its listeners, but it is typical for them as well. If you take a look at WXLY in Charleston and WMYI in Greenville, they do the very same thing with the morning show in Greenville live and the rest of the day is tracked and in Charleston, you have Murphy, Sam and Jodie which is syndicated and then the rest of the day is tracked and they do this with many of their heritege country stations as well.

 

[eacalhoun1]

Why don't advertisers refuse to advertise on such stations and go solely with TV or with stations who tend to care more about their listeners? OR, would this be the same as asking us TV viewers to cancel our pay TV subscriptions (cable, satellite) to protest high subcription rates?

Eric

 

[TheStoker]

It will only get worse since CC is teetering on the abyss. More and more voice tracking is coming. Most CC stations have nothing but VTing after 10AM. They could care less about listeners. $$$$$$

 

[Lhsh]

That is true and it is a cheap way to run radio and right now with all of their money problems, CC is looking for the cheapest way out and who cares if they screw their listeners.

 

[wmgcbs]

quoting: "none of it really positively impacts the listener."


What's wrong with this statement? It indicates an assumption that the company actually CARES about the listener in the first place.

That says a lot... sadly, it is very true, regarding not only radio in Charlotte, but around the country. If only groups like the Daltons still owned stations...

 

[Dirty Diana]

Unfortunately, listeners are like sheep. They won't be protesting in the streets over this.
All traditional media outlets are shrinking by the day. (TV Radio and Newspapers)

Did you know there are no more "Camera Operators" at WSOC TV? It's now automated!! (That is unconfirmed i must say, but that's what i was told)

It's amazing how many jobs have been eliminated.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

It will only get worse since CC is teetering on the abyss. More and more voice tracking is coming. Most CC stations have nothing but VTing after 10AM. They could care less about listeners. $$$$$$

Sadly even the quality of the voicetracking is starting to slip. I won't mention any names or stations, just listen around and you'll hear it for yourself. I didn't think doing a bad voicetrack was even possible, you can always recut it. I'm hearing some bad stuff.

It's true about the robotic cameras at WSOC-TV. Amazing since the typical studio camera person is part-time and doesn't get paid very much to begin with.

 

[test123]

WBTV has had robotic cameras for a while. When they installed the system they were supposed to be able to operate the Uptown...err...Center City Studio cameras from the main studio but there were problems.

To be fair there is still one camera operator per show. That person is operating all of the cameras from a remote control panel. I agree with Mike...A robotic camera system is pricey. It would take a long time to save enough salary money to pay for the system.

It is important to remember that TV stations have used new technology to eliminate many jobs over the years. How many film chain operators and tape loaders do you know?

Sadly even the quality of the voicetracking is starting to slip.

I tuned across Lite102point9 yesterday and heard Jim lead into traffic. I am not sure what studio he was in but the acoustics were just plain bad.

t123

 

[fingar]

I wonder how they insert the traffic into afternoon drive without a live person there?

it's all with the prophet system. recorded from the the traffic 'hub' and chunked in electronically.

technology. ain't it sumpthin'?

 

[Lhsh]

It is amazing what one can do with a hard drive especially when you hope it will not crash and then they hope you don't figure out that it is not live, but knowing Clear Channel, if you listen closely, you can figure out that it is not live and that is what really stinks and unfortunately, they are not the only ones doing this and personally I think it is a really cheap way to do radio and trust me, it sounds cheap and cheesy as well.

 

[tothedj]

Three words that no longer apply to most radio stations, "Live, Local, and Interactive!"

 

[eacalhoun1]

All of this makes satellite-delivered stations like 97.3 WKBC North Wilkesboro sound better everyday...but then, I've long thought that the Jones (WKBC's provider) Hot AC format sounds better than anything in Charlotte.

 

[wncc]

All of this makes satellite-delivered stations like 97.3 WKBC North Wilkesboro sound better everyday...but then, I've long thought that the Jones (WKBC's provider) Hot AC format sounds better than anything in Charlotte.

And Jones Media gets it right. They have a listener panel. What a novel concept! I think the Ride had a listener panel at one time. Not sure if they still do...

 

[vchimpanzee]

It will only get worse since CC is teetering on the abyss. More and more voice tracking is coming. Most CC stations have nothing but VTing after 10AM. They could care less about listeners. $$$$$$

Sadly even the quality of the voicetracking is starting to slip. I won't mention any names or stations, just listen around and you'll hear it for yourself. I didn't think doing a bad voicetrack was even possible, you can always recut it. I'm hearing some bad stuff.

It's true about the robotic cameras at WSOC-TV. Amazing since the typical studio camera person is part-time and doesn't get paid very much to begin with.

I watched "The 100 Most Outrageous Moments" on NBC last week. They showed a disaster that happened live on-air because of this. Oh, if only WSOC-TV could have this happen.

 

[jtudor]

I think the Ride had a listener panel at one time. Not sure if they still do...

I signed up for it a couple of years ago and used to get an occasional email from them for a survery. I have not had one in quite a while.

JT