This Can't Be Good. . . .

[Fran]

2009-model cars are shipping without AM/FM radios.
At least eight car models, says consumer electronics site Twice.com. They're mostly vehicles toward the lower end of the price range, like the Nissan Versa 1.6 Base and the Nissan Altima 2.5 and the Honda Civic DX. Twice.com figures that the stripped version of the Nissan Versa doesn’t a factory-installed radio. The site says the Toyota Yaris two-door liftback, Chevrolet Aveo LS, Ford F-150 XL regular cab truck (!) and the Pontiac Solstice can be had without a radio or CD player. It’s an opportunity for after-market sales, for sure – but also an invitation for an iPod-using driver to avoid radio altogether.

So radio friends. . . . what's next??

 

[JeffJasper]

Maybe there is a little danger that people will simply use their I-pod. But before that, there was a danger that people would use their portable CD player, and before that their cassette Walkman, and before that their portable 8-track.

"Radio-delete" options have been around forever. My dad's '55 Chevy had no radio because they couldn't afford one, altho they did get the optional heater. In 1981, my Honda Accord came with no radio, and I was glad of it. I installed a Pioneer AM/FM/Cassette component system with dash unit and amps of my choice, Alpine 3-ways in the doors, and dual Pioneer 8-inch woofers in the rear. Of an '81 4-door Accord. It rocked.

So don't worry. People still like music, such as it is, and people will have their radio, especially the FREE kind.

JJ

 

[bobrall]

Why not give away coupons for radios...at half price if you by the car on Tuesday before 11AM. Of course, other offers may not be combined with the car radio offer. A nice extension of the "coupon-radio-format" discussed on "What's Up With This?"

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

MAYBE This CAN Be Good. . . .

Maybe this CAN be good!

When you read the doom and gloom postings you come to realize: "Radio is TOO full of itself!"

We're too good to fail. We still have great ratings.

If the auto industry sends a message loud and clear that radio is an unpopular thing of questionable value, maybe management in Broadcasting will stop patting themselves on the back, lower their hand, scratch their butts instead and actually ask themselves? "Do we have a problem? How do we fix it?"

 

[J-Rod]

Maybe if enough radio stations start to fail, we can get a bailout.

I bet the govt, would love to have the media in their collective pockets.

 

[Fran]

....management in Broadcasting will stop patting themselves on the back, lower their hand, scratch their butts.... "

Please stay focused . . . don’t leapfrog to questions with easy answers, like, “can today’s radio heads find their butts with both hands?”

Seriously, I do not ever remember a time when “the car radio” was an option. Wait until the first dealer tells a rep that “we don’t even put radios in cars anymore.” That too falls under the heading, “this can’t be good.”

 

[DouglasB]

Please stay focused . . . don’t leapfrog to questions with easy answers, like, “can today’s radio heads find their butts with both hands?” Seriously, I do not ever remember a time when “the car radio” was an option. Wait until the first dealer tells a rep that “we don’t even put radios in cars anymore.” That too falls under the heading, “this can’t be good.”

I am focused; thank you and you can put your umbrage away.
What you are seeing, and your post alluded to it, is that some manufacturers are not including a radio as standard equipment in their bottom of the line models. All that means is if you want a radio, you have to pay for it. Up until now, a radio, of some sort, was always included with the hope that the customer will upgrade to a better radio system and therefore make more profit for the dealer/manufacturer.
You must be younger than I, because I do recall a time when a radio was optional equipment. But then again, I remember when discs were vinyl, carts were pulled by a horse, and a joint was a bad place to be seen in.
I think you are reading too much into this issue. That, of course, is your prerogative.

 

[doctor]

I do remember in the 80's when I owned a few Honda Accords that they didnt come with radios(mainly because they would let you decide which type you wanted..am/fm only, am/fm/cassette, or all three in another WITH an EQ and more power) As mentioned above, depending on which you chose, your charge was accordingly. Also, back in the 80's, correct me if I'm wrongsomeone, but most Honda models didnt come with AIR. It was an additional 1000 bucks. Personally I wouldnt fret. I truly believe radios will always be as much a part of an automobile as the wiper blades.

 

[bobrall]

Remember the 80s...hell, I remember the 50s!!!

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

....management in Broadcasting will stop patting themselves on the back, lower their hand, scratch their butts.... "

Please stay focused . . . don’t leapfrog to questions with easy answers, like, “can today’s radio heads find their butts with both hands?”

Seriously, I do not ever remember a time when “the car radio” was an option. Wait until the first dealer tells a rep that “we don’t even put radios in cars anymore.” That too falls under the heading, “this can’t be good.”

Sorry, you visualized a different picture that I was trying to paint with words.

"Can't find your butt even using both hands" is a bit of speech indicating stupidity, lack of capability. That is not the word picture I used.

"scratching your butt" is terminology indicated your mind may be wandering and you do not realize you are doing in public something that is considered tacky. What I was indicating was that too many people in radio have been sitting around reading what they want to into audience study numbers thinking what they are programming must be great. The people love us. But the people who have quit listening and the people who listen less are thinking that the mind of radio management must be wandering because some of the programming borders on being tacky. That assessment on my part may be a bit harsh, but it is an honest effort to stir up conversation that might allow us to learn something.

Yes, you must be younger. There was a time when purchasing a car got you a frame, a body, 4 wheels, an engine, headlights and tail lights and a horn. Want a heater? extra. Would you like a defroster style heater to melt the frost on your windshield? Double Extra. Radio? Extra. Air Conditioning? Not available prior to early 1950s. BIG TIME EXTRA! Power Steering. Extra. Power Brakes. Extra Tinted windsheld? Extra.

When the automobile company marketing crowd recognized that a very large percentage of the customer wanted the extra, make it standard on the deluxe models. When the automobile company recognized that almost ALL buyers wanted the option, make it a standard part of the base price.

When the automobile marketers DROP an accessory from standard equipment, that means they have decided the customer don't give a rat's behind to get that option any more. IF the auto manufacturers actually start offering cars with absolutely NO RADIO as standard equipment, that is ONE BOLD PRNOUNCEMENT that radio doesn't matter to the public any more.

Do we have an example? Do we have any accessory that was once standard that has been "delisted" so to speak? How about the cigarette lighter?

 

[Fran]

When the automobile marketers DROP an accessory from standard equipment, that means they have decided the customer don't give a rat's behind to get that option any more.

It is a bona-fide perception nightmare. Imagine for a moment that Donald Trump just went bankrupt and they took away EVERYTHING he owned. . . no more airplane, no fancy anything, Donald the panhandler. First thought is that real estate wiped him out.

Now look at radio. . . all of these big legendary stations in big markets and their stock is worth $1. Radio wiped out the investors (yeah, we know that is backwards). But here we are . . . when it’s time to make cutbacks, yank the radio. Perception is radio is dead because of Satellite or the IPOD, or the internet, or a combination of them all. Not even sure that radio wakes up many people these days. . . . my TV is my AM alarm clock.

When I see other radio people at lunches, etc., it’s all about jobs, firings, no budget (if we can’t trade it, we do without), unless you’re Ryan Seacrest, being in programming is no fun. And radio reps need a new hook. . . “in bad times radio excels.” Pleazzze. If radio wants to make a comeback, stop running four commercials in a row. . . of course it might be too late for that, since ad rates are down, stations may have to air five commercials in a row.

Regarding the car radio . . I think the topic name, covers it. . . “this can’t be good.”

 

[DouglasB]

It is a bona-fide perception nightmare. Imagine for a moment that Donald Trump just went bankrupt and they took away EVERYTHING he owned. . . no more airplane, no fancy anything, Donald the panhandler. First thought is that real estate wiped him out.
Now look at radio. . . all of these big legendary stations in big markets and their stock is worth $1. Radio wiped out the investors (yeah, we know that is backwards). But here we are . . . when it’s time to make cutbacks, yank the radio. Perception is radio is dead because of Satellite or the IPOD, or the internet, or a combination of them all. Not even sure that radio wakes up many people these days. . . . my TV is my AM alarm clock.

So we can put you in the "doom and gloom" category? It would be nice, for a change, if someone could/would offer inspiring ideas, innovative concepts, or practical solutions. You appear to be an intelligent individual with insight. But no, it's much too easy to moan, cry, and commiserate with your friends about their situations. I would continue, but you’ll just tell me to “please stay focused” and not “leapfrog” away from your pity party.
Regards..

 

[Silkie]

So radio friends. . . . what's next??

Instead of having the old radio pulled out to install a better one, we just get the better sound system, assuming anyone buys a new car anytime soon, and we know that making assumptions can't be good.

 

[Fran]

It would be nice, for a change, if someone could/would offer inspiring ideas, innovative concepts, or practical solutions.

Hey , we tried to make a difference. When the NAB wanted stations to unite behind a common theme to promote radio, we suggested a number of radio variations using “ALWAYS ON” as the theme. It plays toward our strength, we’re hassle free, just turn us on. "Always On" doesn’t give one format an edge over another, but mainly, it sounds cool, no matter what you are programming.

However, the geniuses at the NAB came back with the truly uninspiring campaign called, Radio Heard Here. Gagorama. It fell flat. I wrote RBR. . . I’ll delete that part because it wasn’t pretty. . . RBR responded and said that RHH did well in a focus group. If that did well in a focus group, one could only imagine how truly bad the other slogans must have been. If you don’t already know that Radio Heard Here, is lame, lame, lame. . . it is over. Plus, do not get me started on focus groups. . . in most cases this is truly the blind leading the blind.

The other day RBR’s web site lead story was that the NAB just hired an ad agency to rejuvenate Radio Heard Here. In the comment section, I tore into RBR for their defense of this horrible campaign and their constant sucking up to the NAB and that no matter who the agency was . . . the RHH campaign was DOA. Later that day I went back to see if RBR responded. . . they did. . . by pulling the whole story. . . . their lead story of the day, GONE.

It isn't that people don't try. . . it is just that sometimes reality sets in.

 

[bobrall]

The NAB is that wonderful organization that brought you consolidation. They
are not your friend. They have no understanding of how our medium functions.
The only "campaign" that I consider successful was Stan Freeberg filling Lake Michigan
with icecream and making a huge chocolate sundae.
Listener's could see the cherry on top.

 

[DouglasB]

Hey , we tried to make a difference. When the NAB wanted stations to unite behind a common theme to promote radio, the geniuses at the NAB came back with the truly uninspiring campaign called, Radio Heard Here. Gagorama.

This we can agree on. Now, what do we do? The NAB is only there for the NAB. My stations no longer belong for the reasons you mention. The problem is that radio has been homogenized to where there is no creativity. There is no compelling content. The same formatics can play in any market. It's like McDonalds, without the food. So, who steps forward to break the cycle? What stations or groups will finally realize that stations need to be individual to the markets they serve? Someone has to step up and take those chances, and others have to see the vision and do the same.

 

[Fran]

The NAB is only there for the NAB.

Prior to consolidation, no one EVER said, “we need a creative idea, let’s call the NAB!” Also, prior to consolidation the NAB’s main purpose was to throw a convention and lobby congress not to levy taxes on commercials.

As to the earlier question, “who is going to fix radio?” With few exceptions, most large groups are virtually bankrupt. They are in the same boat as those earning $1,000 a month trying to pay a $4,000 monthly mortgage. When the lenders finally decide to take the hit and sell is when you will see a new batch of owners and perhaps the answer to your question.

 

[bobrall]

Where's the talent. Most are voice tracked an sit around watching YouTube all day.
Wouldn't know show prep if it sat on their face.

 

[Fran]

Where's the talent. Most are voice tracked an sit around watching YouTube all day.
Wouldn't know show prep if it sat on their face.

You might want to rethink that. Major markets aside, most announcers are slammed with production piled to the ceiling. Show prep? They barely have time to voice track (some have to track on multiple stations). There is no time for any creativity . . . the corp guys keep cutting announcers. . . there is usually no copywriter (although some stations have salespeople write their copy) and the noon deadline has long since left the building.

 

[bobrall]

Alway had production slammed to the ceiling...and no computers. Never heard of a five day week.
Worked six. Always happy when Christmas feel on my day off so I didn't have to work.
Show prep is essential, unless to want to sound like......radio now.