TV listings on radio

[True Grit]

Any thoughts on this? With listings in the newspaper, TV Guide, internet listings, and onscreen menus on both cable and satellite systems, I've always thought it pointless and a waste of airtime, at best, and at worst, counterproductive to talk about every evening's primetime tv offerings on major networks. I can understand mentioning major events, i.e., Super Bowl, major awards shows, things of that nature. But when jocks promote shows like CSI, American Idol, Survivor, etc., every day, they are essentially saying "Don't listen to our station tonight; these shows on television are much better."

Drives me crazy. I can't be the only one that thinks like this. Or am I?

 

[Mainedude2007]

Any thoughts on this? With listings in the newspaper, TV Guide, internet listings, and onscreen menus on both cable and satellite systems, I've always thought it pointless and a waste of airtime, at best, and at worst, counterproductive to talk about every evening's primetime tv offerings on major networks. I can understand mentioning major events, i.e., Super Bowl, major awards shows, things of that nature. But when jocks promote shows like CSI, American Idol, Survivor, etc., every day, they are essentially saying "Don't listen to our station tonight; these shows on television are much better."

Drives me crazy. I can't be the only one that thinks like this. Or am I?

If they're popular shows, I have no problem...but if it's some new show or some show on friday night (I only mention that night because that's where shows usually go to die) then it's a wasted break

But if it's AI, Dancing w/the Stars, Lost, Survivor, etc. it connects with the listeners, plus you hold on to the audience with the "OMG, Guess what happened on American Idol Last Night!" updates

 

[forevernight]

Any thoughts on this? With listings in the newspaper, TV Guide, internet listings, and onscreen menus on both cable and satellite systems, I've always thought it pointless and a waste of airtime, at best, and at worst, counterproductive to talk about every evening's primetime tv offerings on major networks. I can understand mentioning major events, i.e., Super Bowl, major awards shows, things of that nature. But when jocks promote shows like CSI, American Idol, Survivor, etc., every day, they are essentially saying "Don't listen to our station tonight; these shows on television are much better."

Drives me crazy. I can't be the only one that thinks like this. Or am I?

Gritty my friend, as a nighttime personality, I must say I seriously object to this practice and call for it's immediate end!

 

[True Grit]

Any thoughts on this? With listings in the newspaper, TV Guide, internet listings, and onscreen menus on both cable and satellite systems, I've always thought it pointless and a waste of airtime, at best, and at worst, counterproductive to talk about every evening's primetime tv offerings on major networks. I can understand mentioning major events, i.e., Super Bowl, major awards shows, things of that nature. But when jocks promote shows like CSI, American Idol, Survivor, etc., every day, they are essentially saying "Don't listen to our station tonight; these shows on television are much better."

Drives me crazy. I can't be the only one that thinks like this. Or am I?

Gritty my friend, as a nighttime personality, I must say I seriously object to this practice and call for it's immediate end!

I see I am not alone in this battle! Thanks for your support. This is one tiny way that that radio may stay relevant, because otherwise, it's a barely camouflaged way of saying, "This station sucks after 8pm; don't listen to us."

 

[True Grit]

Any thoughts on this? With listings in the newspaper, TV Guide, internet listings, and onscreen menus on both cable and satellite systems, I've always thought it pointless and a waste of airtime, at best, and at worst, counterproductive to talk about every evening's primetime tv offerings on major networks. I can understand mentioning major events, i.e., Super Bowl, major awards shows, things of that nature. But when jocks promote shows like CSI, American Idol, Survivor, etc., every day, they are essentially saying "Don't listen to our station tonight; these shows on television are much better."

Drives me crazy. I can't be the only one that thinks like this. Or am I?

If they're popular shows, I have no problem...but if it's some new show or some show on friday night (I only mention that night because that's where shows usually go to die) then it's a wasted break

But if it's AI, Dancing w/the Stars, Lost, Survivor, etc. it connects with the listeners, plus you hold on to the audience with the "OMG, Guess what happened on American Idol Last Night!" updates

I don't mind quite so much talking about these shows the day after, (your 'guess what happened last night' scenario) in extremely short segments, because I realize some listeners will watch these shows. I didn't do it, but that may be in part to not doing morning drive. But why promote them the day before? Obviously exceptions must be made if a local tv station buys a schedule or if it's a tradeout situation, but that's a produced spot, not a jock saying "Hey, you have GOT to watch ***** show tonite on Channel *".

 

[louiemanno]

You can’t pretend that TV doesn’t exist. A radio personality’s job to give a human face to the radio station. You relate to and with an audience by acknowledging, discussing and making sense of the their shared experience. Television is ubiquitous, and is therefore the ultimate shared experience... To talk about American Idol is to say “We’re you”.

No offence to any nighttime jocks… But the truth is people listen evenings when they are driving, jogging, working, or doing something in a room that doesn’t have a TV.

And if by chance a morning show’s discussion about CSI influences a listener to tune in when they are watching the tube… Well then that’s just radio in its own place... doing it’s job.

Louie

 

[amguy]

OK....then let's get the TV stations, during the evenings, to promote the morning radio shows. They could televise the play list for the various local radio stations......this should be fair!

 

[True Grit]

You can’t pretend that TV doesn’t exist. A radio personality’s job to give a human face to the radio station. You relate to and with an audience by acknowledging, discussing and making sense of the their shared experience. Television is ubiquitous, and is therefore the ultimate shared experience... To talk about American Idol is to say “We’re you”.

Again, I'm making the distinction between talking about tonite's show tomorrow morning, i.e., being topical (okay) and reading a laundry list of of the primetime schedule, i.e., promoting the competition (not okay).

And as for the 'no offence to the night guys' remark...that reminds me of the saying, "Now, mind you, some of my best friends are ________, but"...

 

[louiemanno]

Lighten up Grit… The truth is, if there is a TV and a Radio in a room most people will watch the TV. Evening radio has been living on the “I cant watch TV” audience since the 40s... You can’t equate that with racism. I don’t deserve that for pointing out a truism.

People listen to radio when they do… and they watch TV when they do and reading a TV Guide on the air and acknowledging reality doesn’t change that.

TV is appointment viewing because they invest in content… If radio want’s the same devotion, then radio better invest in content.


Louie

 

[louiemanno]

OK....then let's get the TV stations, during the evenings, to promote the morning radio shows. They could televise the play list for the various local radio stations......this should be fair!

TV Stations do talk about radio… In the rare cases when radio does something note worthy. Playing records and telling the time and temp can’t compare to television.

The best that radio can do is to get the most listeners when people are listening.

 

[True Grit]

Lighten up Grit… The truth is, if there is a TV and a Radio in a room most people will watch the TV. Evening radio has been living on the “I cant watch TV” audience since the 40s... You can’t equate that with racism. I don’t deserve that for pointing out a truism.

People listen to radio when they do… and they watch TV when they do and reading a TV Guide on the air and acknowledging reality doesn’t change that.

TV is appointment viewing because they invest in content… If radio want’s the same devotion, then radio better invest in content.

'Lighten up'? I didn't think I was coming across heavy-handed.

Radio could invest in itself by not directing listeners to another outlet. For starters, fans of popular tv shows know what night and what time the show is on, so you're not doing anyone a favor, you're just wasting precious airtime. Here's a scenario---you run down that evening's primetime TV schedule on the major networks . Listener watches the show, sees a promo for the tv station's morning show, or, say, an ad for the radio station across town, and says to him/herself "Hey, I think I'll check that out tomorrow morning instead of the bozo I've been listening to who just reads the TV guide listings everyday." Boom. A lost listener, and only because you drove them there.

Louie, you seem like a smart guy, and I know you are passionate about this business. Can't you see the major difference between talking about Sally getting kicked off the island...after the fact, the next morning, as opposed to telling listeners what their options are on your station that evening?

Thankfully I never worked for a PD or had a consultant who insisted on this nonsense. I still cringe every time I hear it.

Finally, I'll leave you with this...does Shaws insert a Hannaford page in their weekly flyer? Wonder why that is?

 

[louiemanno]

Well True Grit I’ve been reading your posts for a while now… and I believe that you truly live up to your name. I guess you would agree with the underlying truth in what I’m saying. When you are on the radio you should always talk about what people are talking about.

Your supermarket flyer analogy really doesn’t apply but it proves that when engaged in a debate… you’re a “real scraper”.

I concede to your point … but still believe that radio should sound like the listeners.

Louie

 

[True Grit]

Well True Grit I’ve been reading your posts for a while now… and I believe that you truly live up to your name. I guess you would agree with the underlying truth in what I’m saying. When you are on the radio you should always talk about what people are talking about.

Your supermarket flyer analogy really doesn’t apply but it proves that when engaged in a debate… you’re a “real scraper”.

I concede to your point … but still believe that radio should sound like the listeners.

Louie

Regarding your comments on my name...thank you, (I think). Could be why I'm no longer in the biz? There is/was only so much BS I am/was willing to swallow before I say/said "enough is enough".

<I guess you would agree with the underlying truth in what I’m saying. When you are on the radio you should always talk about what people are talking about.>

Yep. As long as you talk about it the morning after.

You are truly one of the good guys on this board. Hope we can leave this discussion on friendly terms. If I posted anything that was outta line, it was unintentional.

 

[louiemanno]

True: Takes nor gives no BS
Grit: Digs in and fights the good fight.

A complement.

 

[True Grit]

True: Takes nor gives no BS
Grit: Digs in and fights the good fight.

A complement.

You have confirmed my impression of you

Good evening, Mr. Manno.

 

[nhradiochild]

I have something to add here...

Why would any jock WANT to just read listings? Seems to me like an utter waste of time, conflict-of-interest notwithstanding.

I mean, how many sources can you get your program guide? Newspaper, TV Guide channel, Digital Cable/Sat TV guide you can surf through, some cable systems even offer up program guides on their website, and if all else fails, web-surfing network and cable sites for upcoming events. Not to mention those folks with DVR, who only need know the time to know when to set the timer for, if you even have to know that!

That being said, I might be comparing apples to oranges, but with AFN-radio it was on the program logs here to billboard AFN-TV offerings, but even in Afghanistan they have a TV-guide channel. Rarely did I actually "flip" to that channel to throw a heads-up out there. However, it suits AFN's mission slightly better as they have command information and newsbits that they throw in during what would normally be commercial breaks, which can be considerably more effective with a visual.