WHO GOES ALL CHRISTMAS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

[fennessy]

This will be my first winter in Florida running a radio station, and although this concept works for lots of stations, I can't wrap my arms around the idea of going " all Christmas" in this climate. My opinion, wrong as it may be, is anyone who does this is making a format change that lasts for amlost a quarter of the year which could possibly alienate listeners. Case in point, Jewish folks. I'm not Jewish, but if I were, I'd never listen to that station the other 10 months out of the year. The other illogical part of this, and again it works whether I like it or not, is being here in Florida, and a station playing songs about snow and cold weather.

I picture myself driving to Daytona Beach on a Saturday, and the radio playing, " It's A Marshmallow World In The Winter", or " Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow". Or " Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer".

I'm not saying it's not working for the people who do it, I'm not saying my opinion is correct, I'm saying it seems crazy in spite of the fact that it works. Someone enlighten me, please. I don't want to pull my format off the air for 2 1/2 months...and a consultant friend says I'm wrong NOT to do it.

 

[alcapone]

Hey Fenn Great decision. Do not wrap your arms around doing Christmas music too early. The public is on to it. Give yourself more credit than that. Think outside the box and do something creative with your format or a seasonal promotion. Randomly give away a box of Christmas cookies on the air. As simple/stupid as that sounds, the way things are today it might work.

 

[Rob]

I started a thread on this too "betting time"

but yea.. when yule music comes on, i turn off the radio. it gets old FAST!!

wait until Dec.

-Rob

 

[upstate29651]

I guess the third illogical point that can be made here is why are you making a central FL post on the North FL board?

G

 

[Rob]

well, it's bloody florida (ohh according to our media.. were southwest alabama..thanks 5, 8 and 10)
(our local NBC/CBS/Fox aff)

-Rob

 

[drt]

I guess the third illogical point that can be made here is why are you making a central FL post on the North FL board?

G

If I'm not mistaken, the person who started this thread has a station that by day services an area from Brooksville to Inverness, to the Ocala/Gainesville area and this would the most appropriate board, more so than the Tampa/St Pete/Sarasota board and there is not a central Florida board that I'm aware of; if there were, that would be a more appropriate board.

Now back to the question at hand.

My personal opinion is that 10 days - 2 weeks before Christmas is more than enough, in fact there have been some stations in the past that broadcast specials that are only about 36 hours. (starting at noon Christmas eve day and all day Christmas).

Also, think about where the "original Christmas" took place, it was in a climate similiar to central or north Florida and there are plenty of Christmas songs that do not make a reference to snow. You could have some secular and non secular Christmas song, but in my opinion, 2 1/2 months of that is at least two months too long and would be a turn off for me; it diminishes the season. (of course, I don't like see Christmas displays in stores in September or October either..... just call me grumpy )

As far as the weather goes, believe me there will be some days in November and December that will be plenty cold in central and north Florida, Christmas Day of 1989 much of north central Florida and areas north had snow flurries as well as a hard freeze and more recently there were snow flurries reported in Daytona Beach either Christmas day or the day after just last year. (2007).

drt,
st. petersburg