|
|
Post by steve on Sept 8, 2009 19:23:00 GMT -5
Why doesn't there seem to be an interest in this forum anymore? I look around at other forums in other cities and see tons of people posting all the time...everyday. This site used to be like that too. Why the lack of the interest? Has everything been said? Why are there not more comments about all the crazy rumors out there like Millcreek and Simmons merging or CBS Radio buying the Clear Channel stations here in town. I hear my co-workers talking about all this stuff. Why not you?
|
|
|
|
Post by henry on Sept 8, 2009 23:39:27 GMT -5
Frankly Steve, there's little to be excited about.
For the last 10 years I've been involved in some way or another (either on the really, really old SaltLakeRadio.com, Utradioguide.com, or the various carnations of whatnot since). Back ten years ago there was live/local people on the air. KISN 97 was hot, the Bee had Awesome 80s at 8, and listener interaction everywhere else was plentiful.
Today we have Jack, My 99.5, and probably 22 hours of automation/voicetracking a day on most stations. Probably the only breath of fresh air in commercial radio was Nightside, and even Bonneville has eliminated everyone except the two hosts.
Today NOBODY is willing to budge an inch to try new and exciting formats. Where are the Indie formats? Where's the dance? Where's the local talk? Where a CHR that really cooks?
I give props to U92, K-Bull, and X96 for trying to maintain some degree of stationality. But they'd be considered "average" by 1996 standards.
Radio is dead to my 18-24 demo friends. To them it's nothing more than a box that plays music and commercials, functioning only as a back-up when they left their iPod car adapter in the house.
I don't give a rip about what Ryan Seacrest, Whoopi Goldberg, or Sean Hannity think. I want to hear "me" on the radio. I want a local/live jock taking "my" call, reading "my" text, and playing "my" song. I want a station that will tell me why I see a huge cloud of smoke in the skies above Sandy, or if snow is cancelling school.
I want a friend. I want live/local companionship, especially when I am lonely on I-15 driving home at 2:00 AM.
Radio fails to deliver. Now even us fanatics are failing to stay excited.
The best thing I ever bought as an in-dash MP3 player.
|
|
|
|
Post by henry on Sept 8, 2009 23:42:17 GMT -5
I think I can sum up my comments more simply:
"Radio is/was/always will be LIVE/LOCAL HOSTING." It's what listeners want and expect.
They day owners killed that was the day radio began to die.
|
|
|
|
Post by Amanuensis on Sept 9, 2009 8:50:53 GMT -5
Back when I got excited about radio, KSL-AM was a full-service format. I think they really did have a little bit for everyone. With their clear channel frequency and incredible imaging and branding, who could not be excited? Now, it and all other stations are just milking the cash cow. With the incredible debt load that most station groups have (Bonneville possibly excepted) what choice do they have?
Frankly, I really do wonder why I still bother even looking at this forum. I almost never post -- and yet I think that I am one of the more frequent posters. I never listen to radio anymore while at home. And in the car, I mostly listen to NPR. When I listen to the radio at work, I am listening via the Internet to a non-commercial station in Texas. That is the reason why my "avatar" is a laptop.
|
|
|
|
Post by steve on Sept 9, 2009 11:23:25 GMT -5
There are still a few (Bull, X, ZHT, Mix, U92, Blaze, KSOP, FM 100) doing LIVE local radio. Why is there not more chatter about those who are LIVE?
And what would be the difference between this board, and others in other cities. Radio is not all that different from city to city. You have more LIVE talent in the larger markets, and more automated stations in the smaller markets. It seems to me - people are more active with their posts in other markets then here...why is that? I know the rules with this board can be pretty strict compared to others. Does that play a role in who is posting?
|
|
|
|
Post by henry on Sept 9, 2009 11:48:00 GMT -5
* Because ZHT sounds exactly the same as every other Clear Channel CHR.
* FM 100 only has two local dayparts.
* And KSOP has hardly changed anything since 1981 (except add "Cowboy" to their name).
I give props to Millcreek, X96, K-Bull. But remember, Millcreek has a tiny operating budget. If Millcreek stations are now "the best sounding in town" what does that say about your town?
|
|
|
|
Post by steve on Sept 9, 2009 12:17:48 GMT -5
ZHT actually sounds worse than other Clear Channel CHR stations. All the other ones put real imaging and jingles back on the air. The only thing you hear on ZHT between the records is a lame promo produced by a jock promoting their website. FM 100 Actually has 3 local LIVE dayparts, and KSOP has cool jingles and imaging now.
Millcreek does a pretty good job with their small operating budget. Blaze sounds great. U92 is ok. Mix needs some work with mornings and mid-days. But is pretty good otherwise.
|
|
|
|
Post by Christopher John on Sept 10, 2009 3:29:29 GMT -5
* And KSOP has hardly changed anything since 1981 (except add "Cowboy" to their name). I tend to disagree, KSOP might still be the same in some aspect but has changed a quite a bit. As for the imaging, we haven't had the same jingle package for 10 years like others have, in fact we are constantly adding new jingles, sweeps, etc.. What other station is doing that?.. Have you been out to one of the events lately? Where us and the other guys are competing.. I say we do pretty damned well for a local independent station that doesn't have the big bros helping with the bills.. Another thing is we are live, no canned jocks.. Also a thing that might be the same is alot of the jocks. And why do you think that is? We got a stable owner. How many other jocks can say they can go to work and not fear losing their job? I bet not very many. I don't think people give the small guy much credit. There is a reason we been here for going on 55 years.. By the way I would love to see more stations become more live and local, it would definitely give radio a kick in the butt for the better... |
|
|
|
Post by radiolovr on Sept 10, 2009 11:37:03 GMT -5
I am guilty of not posting much. I wish there was more local radio. I think KDYL, KSOP, and X96 are some of the best at keeping things local. I think someone needs to bring Tom Barberi back on over-the-air radio, and I also wish Michael Castner was still with Nightside. I have hardly listened to that program since he left.
|
|
|
|
Post by steve on Sept 10, 2009 13:08:20 GMT -5
I think this topic has been fun! We need more.
|
|
|
|
Post by elchupacabras970 on Sept 10, 2009 13:39:52 GMT -5
KSL was awesome when it was Full-service AC, although that format has pretty much bit the dust. KALL was at the top of its game, anchored by Barberi. And what about the old K-Talk from the early 90's with Hank and Joe, Golden Delicious, and S.P. Romney? That was some great local talk minus Mills Crenshaw, that is!
|
|
|
|
Post by Amanuensis on Sept 10, 2009 14:33:41 GMT -5
For an experiment, the last week I have listened mostly to music during 45 minute (each way) commute between West Jordan and Provo. The only station that I found to be playing consistently good music was KLGL.
Since I don't like Country and most Rock formats, I sampled only KQMB, KTCE, KODJ, KBEE, KSFI, KJQN, KRSP, KOZY, KJMY, KLGL, and KBZN.
What does it say about the state of our Wasatch Front stations when I think that a little Richfield station beats all of them?
Since KLGL, KQMB, and KTCE cannot be picked up north of the Point of the Mountain, I found that KJQN was the best Wasatch Front station -- a rimshot, in other words, beat the "big sticks".
|
|
|
|
Post by radiolovr on Sept 10, 2009 15:38:13 GMT -5
My parents live in Sampete County, and I agree that KLGL is great. I also think KMGR has a nice mix too, but then I know that kind of nestalgic mix won't fly in the Wasatch Front market.
|
|
|
|
Post by henry on Sept 11, 2009 19:49:21 GMT -5
I listen to KLGL on 98.3 quite a bit, too. KQMB isn't bad, but it creeps me out when I realize Bob Morey has been dead a year and the station is on and sounding exactly the same.
BTW CJ, didn't mean to trash on KSOP. For what it's worth, I don't listen to ANY country, so I probably haven't tuned in for 10 years, either.
The key is LOCAL ownership. Let's home we get some more as time goes on. Wouldn't hurt if someone locally could buy KUTV as well.
Here's hoping for a Clear Channel collapse in 2010! (lifts glass)
|
|
|
|
Post by Amanuensis on Sept 11, 2009 20:41:40 GMT -5
I agree about KQMB and lack of changes. I would like the station a lot more if there was any evidence that someone actually is at the station at least occasionally. Right now, KQMB and KSRR both sound like they are playing the exact same hard drives that Bob programmed without ANY changes. It is like the stations are zombies.
|
|
