As I've been reading the various recent posts on this board, I'm thinking that those who are in school right now working toward a communications degree should rethink what they are doing.
Just how much opportunity is out there? Even now in the really big markets like NYC, the overnight jock is becoming extinct. An ever growing numbers of FMers in most markets staff their stations with 3 jocks to cover M-F 5:30AM - 7 PM. And in fact, we see the PD doing a shift, the Assist PD/Music Director and even the Production Manager all splitting their time doing on-air duties. Voicetracking and automation are more the norm than the exception.
AM is practically all syndicated wherever you go or brokered and so where does that wide-eyed radio guy/gal go to break into the business? Gees, those in the business who have proven track records can't find work or even fulltime work.
When we see virtually no response about the best personalities in radio, that says tons. This isn't rocket science folks, it's all by design. Many on the air nowadays play second fiddle to the format. Management it seems goes out of their way to ensure that those on the air especially after morning drive don't become more popular than the format - music is the star - period. Plus, when the audience doesn't have a strong bond to whoever is on the air will only make it that much easier for management to get rid of that person when they have another buck-saving project.
Take the case of Mark Bell on Eagle. Frankly, I listen to Eagle most of the time on the way to work and I think he's doing a great job. But then we hear, a permanant replacement is being considered. Why? In the very limited time Mark has to say something - he does inject his personality and style into the program and really - he seems to complement the format.
But then, lots of PDs have to justify their existance showing that they want to reach higher etc. But with so little on-air freedom, I don't care who they get - they won't change significantly what they are doing in AM drive and gees, they are not doing badly at all. Mark is no doubt another one of these guys who is labled by managment for some reason or the other and of course the PD will not buck that.
Some of these PDs should work behind the scenes if you ask me. But if we just use the case of Eagle, look at how great they do between 10-3. And it's not because everyone drops what they are doing as they can't wait to tune into Scott Walker. He talks for what, maybe 2 minutes an hour.
But as long people keep tuning in, that's what it's all about. Tough business if you have a passion to be in it.
Just how much opportunity is out there? Even now in the really big markets like NYC, the overnight jock is becoming extinct. An ever growing numbers of FMers in most markets staff their stations with 3 jocks to cover M-F 5:30AM - 7 PM. And in fact, we see the PD doing a shift, the Assist PD/Music Director and even the Production Manager all splitting their time doing on-air duties. Voicetracking and automation are more the norm than the exception.
AM is practically all syndicated wherever you go or brokered and so where does that wide-eyed radio guy/gal go to break into the business? Gees, those in the business who have proven track records can't find work or even fulltime work.
When we see virtually no response about the best personalities in radio, that says tons. This isn't rocket science folks, it's all by design. Many on the air nowadays play second fiddle to the format. Management it seems goes out of their way to ensure that those on the air especially after morning drive don't become more popular than the format - music is the star - period. Plus, when the audience doesn't have a strong bond to whoever is on the air will only make it that much easier for management to get rid of that person when they have another buck-saving project.
Take the case of Mark Bell on Eagle. Frankly, I listen to Eagle most of the time on the way to work and I think he's doing a great job. But then we hear, a permanant replacement is being considered. Why? In the very limited time Mark has to say something - he does inject his personality and style into the program and really - he seems to complement the format.
But then, lots of PDs have to justify their existance showing that they want to reach higher etc. But with so little on-air freedom, I don't care who they get - they won't change significantly what they are doing in AM drive and gees, they are not doing badly at all. Mark is no doubt another one of these guys who is labled by managment for some reason or the other and of course the PD will not buck that.
Some of these PDs should work behind the scenes if you ask me. But if we just use the case of Eagle, look at how great they do between 10-3. And it's not because everyone drops what they are doing as they can't wait to tune into Scott Walker. He talks for what, maybe 2 minutes an hour.
But as long people keep tuning in, that's what it's all about. Tough business if you have a passion to be in it.