As I mentioned before, I work in radio so perhaps I'm biased. But I religiously listen to radio.
I own an iPod, I rarely use it unless I know I'm going through areas without radio.
Things I like about music radio:
-It's free. How many things in the world are free? Sure, there are commercials...but there are 20 other stations you can jump to once you hit a block of those.
-It's maintenance free. I don't need to download the new song, or organize things into playlists for my mood. I don't need to remember to bring my iPod with me wherever I go or make sure it's charged. Again, if I don't like the song that's being played, I change the station. I do have fairly mainstream music tastes so local radio works for me.
-I do like getting little bits of information from the DJ's. If it's a new concert date, or something interesting about the song, or something to talk about over dinner. I know plenty of people despise radio talk, I don't mind it as long as it's short and concise. I find song after song after song with nothing breaking that up too monotonous.
-I like the community aspect of radio. I appreciate how a radio station can rally people together to donate a million bucks to the Children's Hospital. I like how they help get word out about charity runs or golf tournaments. Satellite radio isn't going to give you an amber alert or a tornado warning.
-I like getting the morning news. Yes it's readily available on the internet, as is weather and traffic for that matter. But I can't read my smart phone as I drive to work. I think of it as getting served breakfast in bed. Sure there is orange juice and Eggo's in the fridge, but having someone prepare it and deliver it appeals to me.
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Really though, glad I decided not to go into that joke of an industry that likes to think it isn't on the way out and pursue other things for a career. What a way to be perpetually miserable, which is what all my radio instructors were like and what everyone I know who got jobs right away is like.
Really though, glad I decided not to go into that joke of an industry that likes to think it isn't on the way out and pursue other things for a career. What a way to be perpetually miserable, which is what all my radio instructors were like and what everyone I know who got jobs right away is like.
Sounds like someone is bitter? Stuck working in an equally miserable career that offers 0 satisfaction? Probably.
BTW Radio is still a billion dollar industry in this country. Not bad for a service that no one uses right?
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Sounds like someone is bitter? Stuck working in an equally miserable career that offers 0 satisfaction? Probably.
BTW Radio is still a billion dollar industry in this country. Not bad for a service that no one uses right?
Haha, not at all, worked a boring job that paid better than radio for a couple years so I could go back to school and get a real education and a good career. Going this fall! In the meantime I used my radio education to make a moderately successful podcast. I wasn't axed from the industry, just completely turned off by my instructors and my program and the horror stories, and everything I've seen since then has justified my decision.
Radio sticks around because it's been around forever and old people hate adapting to new technology. Like newspapers and phone books. But honestly, this is an industry that measures it's success by sending out little books for people to fill out with what they listened to in the last month. In 2011. And people lose their jobs over that. The whole thing is a bit of a joke, and has no sustainability in the 21st century with the coming out of internet/satellite radio and iPods. All it takes is time.
Having worked for these guys when we launched 66 CFR in the early 80's and recognizing that this mostly "Sask" firm who usually rebrands big is probably saving a ton of money on talent, website and promotions these days, maybe another completely new - or old - UP staff is rehearsing in a satellite station right now for a July 1st launch. And maybe the 3 or 4 current on-air voices are just placeholders for an even bigger launch that could actually involve surprises like great personalities, excitement, real promotions, paid advertising. Huh? Huh?
Postman, you have more experience than I do, but why put names on a station for a month, then gas those guys for "great personalities"? Why not do the whole days of commercial free music? I've never heard the scenerio you propose, but that doesn't mean that it can't happen.
It really was meant with tongue firmly planted on cheek.This bunch has relaunched ,re-branded more stations, fired and hired more people than any other Calgary broadcast group. The only real success they have seen in this market was the original sign on with 66CFR with giant numbers, 265,000 cume, but lost it all shortly there after.
one great thing about radio is how the DJ has to constantly remind the listener that they are listening to "insert name and frequency of radio station" and the end of every rock block, before the start of every rock ride, before and after commercials and the end of super-sets or triple-plays, during the electric lunches etc - I bet when those guys go home they mention it in every pause in the conversation just out of habit.
it is like the radio guys figure the public is too stupid to remember what frequency they are locked onto........
one great thing about radio is how the DJ has to constantly remind the listener that they are listening to "insert name and frequency of radio station" and the end of every rock block, before the start of every rock ride, before and after commercials and the end of super-sets or triple-plays, during the electric lunches etc - I bet when those guys go home they mention it in every pause in the conversation just out of habit.
it is like the radio guys figure the public is too stupid to remember what frequency they are locked onto........
it's the same wtih tv though. you see the tsn/nbc/abc symbols how many times an hour while tuned into the channel?
it is like the radio guys figure the public is too stupid to remember what frequency they are locked onto........
Have you met the public? I kid, I kid (but not really).
There are lots of places you can go that have a radio on (stores, restaurants, gas stations, doctor's offices, etc) where you don't know what station it is, and you might only be exposed to it a for a few minutes.
When I studied broadcasting many years ago, we were taught that after you play a block of music, the first thing you should say after you open your mic is the station's name; and before you start playing a block of music, the last thing you should say before closing your mic is the station's name.
I'm sure they still teach that today.
I haven't worked in radio in almost 15 years, and I can still recite the old station IDs.
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Having worked for these guys when we launched 66 CFR in the early 80's and recognizing that this mostly "Sask" firm who usually rebrands big is probably saving a ton of money on talent, website and promotions these days, maybe another completely new - or old - UP staff is rehearsing in a satellite station right now for a July 1st launch. And maybe the 3 or 4 current on-air voices are just placeholders for an even bigger launch that could actually involve surprises like great personalities, excitement, real promotions, paid advertising. Huh? Huh?
Wow. You pretty much nailed your prediction. Impressive.
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Is there any place that keeps track of format changes? You're right, this station has had a bunch.
Love 'em or hate 'em, CJAY and Coutry 105 seem like the only ones to stick to their format.
CJAY definitely caters to the lowest common denominator, blue-collar crowd, and they eat it up. Every time I have listened to Forbes' morning show, I feel my IQ lowering.
CJAY definitely caters to the lowest common denominator, blue-collar crowd, and they eat it up. Every time I have listened to Forbes' morning show, I feel my IQ lowering.
I actually don't mind the X92.9 morning guys.
In my opinion, Fraser and Roger are two of the best out there right now. An excellent mix of entertainment, intellectual arguments and music. They're just super.
One of the things I miss about Edmonton is Garner Andrews on Sonic as well.
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The only real success they have seen in this market was the original sign on with 66CFR with giant numbers, 265,000 cume, but lost it all shortly there after.
