WDEL's Live and Local seems to be improving

[MikefromDelaware]

I've been listening more often during the past two weeks to WDEL's live and local talkers Al Messitti in the morning and Rick and Brian in the afternoon and their shows seem, to my ear, to be improving. Maybe someone at WDEL reads these postings and at least considered what some of us are saying as both shows are doing more national topics and the local issues I've heard were the more interesting ones like the Blue Water Wind vs DP&L. Al has kept his cool and has had great discussions with his callers. Rick and Brian are starting to click better as Liberal Democrat vs Conservative Republican. The banter between them has improved, to my ear. Brian has maybe gotten more comfortable in his job as he makes some pretty good shots at Jensen who returns as good as he gets making for a entertaining show. Both shows have improved greatly on how quickly they are getting callers on, as I've called both shows during the past two weeks and have gotten on within 5-10 minutes each time and neither show gave me the "bums rush". I called today on a cell phone to Rick and Brian's show and I was put on right after the spot break, which was great as my cell battery was running low, plus time is money when calling on a cell phone.

So now I'm finding my listening habits changing a bit. I'll tune in to WDEL at 9am (after listening to NPR's ATC) to hear what Al's topic is going to be, if it interests me, I'll stay tuned, which has been happening more and more, if not, then I check Glenn Beck on WPHT and then the BBC newshour on WHYY-FM. At 1pm after listening to Loudell's newscast on WDEL, I'll check out Rick and Brian to see what they'll be discussing and again if it is of interest, which more and more they've been getting my interest I'll tune in, if not then I'll check WHYY-FM to hear what the topics are on NPR's news documentary with Slate magazine show, and then check out Rush on WILM, if all else fails. So if both Al along with Rick and Brian catch my interest, they generally have me as a listener, from 9am until I get home at 5pm, as I listen to both Loudell newscasts (news and afternoon drive) as well.

It will be interesting to see in the next 12+ book ratings if their numbers go up. It seems like they could. One thing they might want to do to help this to happen is to advertise these shows on their numerous WDEL billboards around town. I've not noticed any billboards promoting either talk show (I've seen one's for snow watch, Phillies, and Allan's newscasts). I think maybe WDEL is doing some tweeking on these talk shows and if they play their cards right, they just might give WILM a run for their ratings for those who can "think outside of the Limbaugh/Hannity box".

 

[WTUX]

It's good if they are tweeking the shows in order to get them right before the Spring book starts. WDEL's morning news remains solid. And I have noticed some new voices on the overnight news so they may be getting some new blood, which often helps.

I listened to some of Laura Inghram on WDEL last night, as there was no high school B-ball. She is an addition to the station I like. When she was first starting out in tv talk, she was put on with Imus for some guest spots. I could not stand her. I've listened to her a few times on WNTP and really was not favorably impressed. But maybe my mood was better last night. In any case, I liked her approach and what she was saying. If ever Al wants to give it up, I would put her on 9-noon.

 

[Sportsnite]

I get a kick out of MikeFromDelaware. It seems every post he puts up has to do with "making WDEL an oldies station." What WDEL has is the opportunity for anyone in Delaware to voice their opinion. You can't do that with Rush or Hannity. Honestly, MikeFromDelaware, whats more important to you? News that's happening in your backyard? Or some cheesy ass jock talking about songs that have come and gone?
Also it's true in radio to have callers talk about a subject that is going on. When I was in radio, I would have people call to find out the subject rather than listen. A good host will interact with listeners on the subject, not let them go off on their own rant. The way I always saw it was, if people liked your opinion, you would have your own show.
So anyone that wants to change Delaware radio should put their idea's together in front of a group of investors and buy a station. Then they can say what stations should do.

 

[QzarDE]

I get a kick out of MikeFromDelaware. It seems every post he puts up has to do with "making WDEL an oldies station."

Your opinion of that aside, I see nothing in this post whatsoever that references making WDEL an oldies station. Try reading the actual post
next time.

 

[MikefromDelaware]

Honestly, MikeFromDelaware, whats more important to you? News that's happening in your backyard? Or some cheesy ass jock talking about songs that have come and gone?


Sportsnite, what's worse is listening to some cheesy card reader (voice tracker) on FM reading everything he/she says as he/she plays lousy boring music. Give me a real jock with a Standards/Oldies format who actually knows something about the music, the artists, and the times of the music they are playing anyday. As far as how WDEL is doing with their live and local talk shows please re-read my post at the beginning of this thread.

 

[jimwalsh2001]

...if they play their cards right, they just might give WILM a run for their ratings for those who can "think outside of the Limbaugh/Hannity box".

Hear, hear...we could certainly use more "outside the Rush/Hannity box" shows...

 

[wheatstone]

Hear, hear...we could certainly use more "outside the Rush/Hannity box" shows...
[/quote]

Agreed! While WDEL isn't perfect, at least they are trying. Even WILM should get kudos for hanging on to their own local morning drive show. I suspect that there must be pressure from CC to cut payroll and go all syndicated on 1450.

As much as these stations get critized I think I'd rather hear LOCAL radio with warts than more sanitized crap off the bird.