No one made a comment about how bad WSTW sounded over the past few days. Jesus. The music is so off course and then they beg me for money for 2 solid days. It really makes you wonder, If a signal broadcast in Wilmington and no one is listening, is it really on?
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WSTW Radiothon
- Thread starter radio19720
- Start date
J
jhguthlac
Guest
I know they are for a good cause. But I refuse to listen to these radiothons.
Same here. I don't normally listen to WSTW, but I also didn't listen to WDEL either during that radiothon. I'm glad they raised a ton of money as it is a good cause, but I too don't listen to radiothons, begathons (for non-comm religious or NPR stations) or telethons with or without Jerry Lewis.
I agree guys... radiothons are a tune out for the listener.
Once again it's for a great cause but, is anyone really listening??
Once again it's for a great cause but, is anyone really listening??
C
Chris Carl
Guest
Someone was, because we raised $102,000.
Chris, I didn't know WDEL did the radiothon too, but congrats for the efforts for the "Duponts" and the hospital. They can start building the new wing now. As for the radiothon, WDEL is talk, it makes a little more sense to put something like this on that station.
I still have to think, with the last ratings period, WSTW and for that matter, WDEL have no reason do a format alteration that drains the regular listener. The real questions, how much did the stations make running this concept on the air? That probably tells if it will be back next year. Greed always wins!
I still have to think, with the last ratings period, WSTW and for that matter, WDEL have no reason do a format alteration that drains the regular listener. The real questions, how much did the stations make running this concept on the air? That probably tells if it will be back next year. Greed always wins!
That's great... but, how many of those were corporate sponsors that threw in thousands of dollars?
Look, I didn't listen as I said before, but I think that Delmarva Broadcasting via WSTW and WDEL did a good thing. When scanning past WDEL, I did notice they still were airing spots, so it wasn't a total freebie for them, but that's not the point. If their radiothon convinced some corporate big wigs to pony up thousands of dollars to go along with the smaller donations from listeners, etc, GREAT !! Bottomline is AI DuPont Children's Hospital will now be able to build a new wing. Those folks do great work there. I've been there, in the past, to visit children and their parents, who were from my church, while their child was there. That is an amazing hospital. So while the radiothon may have been a tune out for me and others, it accomplished what it sought out to do and that's far more important. Good job Chris and Delmarva.
D
DX
Guest
Okay... This reader of the Delaware radio board here at Radio-Info.com can hold back no longer.
Radiothons are a staple of local radio public service. Look at the stations which win Crystals and Marconis: Many host fundraisers for non-profits over the course of the year.
It's what distinguishes and separates stations truly involved in their communities from the cookie-cuter, automated stations which have destroyed local radio.
That said, it probably IS a risk to host a massive charitable fundraiser so close to a ratings period. Undoubtedly there IS some tune-out (as expressed on this board).
But should Arbitron impose tyranny? Doesn't it say something that the Delmarva stations were willing to devote their resources to such a colossal project so soon before the book?
Indeed, think about it. If you accept the premise that a radiothon represents a worthwhile community affairs effort - and if your stations can earn significant revenue at the same time, win--win! - WHERE in the calendar year would you put it?
Let's see. If you waited until the fall rating period was over, that would take you into the holidays or snowy January. Not good! If you waited for the spring rating period to conclude, you'd be getting into summer vacations. Not good. In short, there is NO really optimal time.
So you schedule it when people have returned from vacation, but a couple of weeks before the start of the ratings period, and hope for the best. You still provide your listeners with the basic staples (news, traffic, weather, business) on WDEL and of course the first three plus a dose of humor on WSTW and the other music stations. And you air a wide array of vignettes: Stories about patients and their families. Undoubtedly a lot of extra work, but the enterprise becomes more than just anchors & hosts interviewing hospital staffers and members of Nemours' board of directors. You draw traffic to your website with new video throughout. And you create suspense about the final fundraising totals near the conclusion.
So what people have apparently forgotten on this board is the intrinsic value of involving listeners, perhaps earning new listeners (anyone connected with the hospital), earning community goodwill, and yes, earning some additional ad dollars coming out of the summer. Win-win-win!
And don't forget the accumulated effect. WDEL, in particular, appeared to earn a lot of community goodwill with its marathon hurricane coverage only a few weekends ago - in stark contrast to the perfunctory, superficial coverage on WILM. Then came this radiothon. Oh yes, then this week, WDEL and WSTW broadcasting live from St. Hedwig's Polish festival some nights.
Especially in a market the size of Wilmington, personal connections still matter.
Radiothons are a staple of local radio public service. Look at the stations which win Crystals and Marconis: Many host fundraisers for non-profits over the course of the year.
It's what distinguishes and separates stations truly involved in their communities from the cookie-cuter, automated stations which have destroyed local radio.
That said, it probably IS a risk to host a massive charitable fundraiser so close to a ratings period. Undoubtedly there IS some tune-out (as expressed on this board).
But should Arbitron impose tyranny? Doesn't it say something that the Delmarva stations were willing to devote their resources to such a colossal project so soon before the book?
Indeed, think about it. If you accept the premise that a radiothon represents a worthwhile community affairs effort - and if your stations can earn significant revenue at the same time, win--win! - WHERE in the calendar year would you put it?
Let's see. If you waited until the fall rating period was over, that would take you into the holidays or snowy January. Not good! If you waited for the spring rating period to conclude, you'd be getting into summer vacations. Not good. In short, there is NO really optimal time.
So you schedule it when people have returned from vacation, but a couple of weeks before the start of the ratings period, and hope for the best. You still provide your listeners with the basic staples (news, traffic, weather, business) on WDEL and of course the first three plus a dose of humor on WSTW and the other music stations. And you air a wide array of vignettes: Stories about patients and their families. Undoubtedly a lot of extra work, but the enterprise becomes more than just anchors & hosts interviewing hospital staffers and members of Nemours' board of directors. You draw traffic to your website with new video throughout. And you create suspense about the final fundraising totals near the conclusion.
So what people have apparently forgotten on this board is the intrinsic value of involving listeners, perhaps earning new listeners (anyone connected with the hospital), earning community goodwill, and yes, earning some additional ad dollars coming out of the summer. Win-win-win!
And don't forget the accumulated effect. WDEL, in particular, appeared to earn a lot of community goodwill with its marathon hurricane coverage only a few weekends ago - in stark contrast to the perfunctory, superficial coverage on WILM. Then came this radiothon. Oh yes, then this week, WDEL and WSTW broadcasting live from St. Hedwig's Polish festival some nights.
Especially in a market the size of Wilmington, personal connections still matter.
J
jhguthlac
Guest
The sentiments being expressed here by radio geeks are hardly a scientific sample of WSTW/WDEL listeners. It is just those of us who enjoy either or both stations describing our feelings about not hearing the usual fare on our favorite stations. It was certainly a good effort by both stations and as DX explains it was probably the best time to air it. These remarks are certainly nothing personal against the staff of WDEL/WSTW.
I followed Chris Carl’s Facebook updates about the broadcasts and contributions. I enjoyed seeing the pics of the WDEL crew, the set-up, etc. I know a lot of hard work goes into remotes of that type. Particularly when you are attempting long-form newscasts! That is not for a novice or the weak of heart!
However, I only listened for a few minutes to Al and Rick, because those interviews were of no interest to me. But bear in mind, I’ve never had kids who lived long enough to leave the hospital. So broadcasts of this type bring back memories I would rather not have brought back. And in general, for listeners wanting to hear Al bashing the G.O.P. or Rick bashing Obama, a radiothon is a turnoff.
I followed Chris Carl’s Facebook updates about the broadcasts and contributions. I enjoyed seeing the pics of the WDEL crew, the set-up, etc. I know a lot of hard work goes into remotes of that type. Particularly when you are attempting long-form newscasts! That is not for a novice or the weak of heart!
However, I only listened for a few minutes to Al and Rick, because those interviews were of no interest to me. But bear in mind, I’ve never had kids who lived long enough to leave the hospital. So broadcasts of this type bring back memories I would rather not have brought back. And in general, for listeners wanting to hear Al bashing the G.O.P. or Rick bashing Obama, a radiothon is a turnoff.
D
DX
Guest
jhguthlac...
In your case, it's completely understandable why you wouldn't want to resurrect painful memories.
And that is a danger for a charitable fundraiser on the radio which hits TOO close to home!
In your case, it's completely understandable why you wouldn't want to resurrect painful memories.
And that is a danger for a charitable fundraiser on the radio which hits TOO close to home!
Matt, I think jhguthlac said it well. I am a regular listener to WDEL and WHYY-FM. When WHYY-FM does their begathons, I tune out. So it wasn't any different for the WDEL radiothon. It is for a good cause, it was a lot of hard work for WDEL's and WSTW's staff, but compelling radio it's not.
As DX alluded to a smart station, in this case WDEL/WSTW, tries to be careful when they'd run a radiothon as it is a ratings killer. In the case of WHYY-FM, NPR, or any non-comm station like UofD's WVUD, or Faith City's WXHL they obviously are running their respective begathons when they need more do-re-mi. I'm sure their PD's would also tell you that yes ratings do drop during those begathon times.
As DX alluded to a smart station, in this case WDEL/WSTW, tries to be careful when they'd run a radiothon as it is a ratings killer. In the case of WHYY-FM, NPR, or any non-comm station like UofD's WVUD, or Faith City's WXHL they obviously are running their respective begathons when they need more do-re-mi. I'm sure their PD's would also tell you that yes ratings do drop during those begathon times.
C
Chris Carl
Guest
Mike, et al,
Next year, give it a listen. I think you'll be surprised that it was indeed compelling radio.
Case in point: we interviewed an 8-year-old girl who had been waiting for almost a year for a heart transplant. We found out a few days ago (but couldn't report until today) that she received her heart the next day. It is one of the most amazing stories that I've been apart of in my 15+ years at WDEL.
Next year, give it a listen. I think you'll be surprised that it was indeed compelling radio.
Case in point: we interviewed an 8-year-old girl who had been waiting for almost a year for a heart transplant. We found out a few days ago (but couldn't report until today) that she received her heart the next day. It is one of the most amazing stories that I've been apart of in my 15+ years at WDEL.
Chris, you may have a point. That is quite a compelling story.
I didn't listen to the radiothon -- I'm not a regular listener to either station. But when you compare the $102,000 Delmarva raised to the $162,030 raised by WIP in Philly in their on-air charity auction last week, Delmarva's results are pretty impressive considering the relative sizes of the markets. Now I realize a radiothon and a on-air charity auction are different kinds of radio and different types of donation propositions -- but still ...
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