There’s always a media expert ready to declare that Radio is dead. Perhaps worse still, they say it’s boring. “It all sounds the same. No one’s willing to take a risk. There’s no spontaneity. Nothing really new,” they say. Are they right? It’s one thing to criticise… point out the problems… quite another to offer solutions. Do you have any?
Of course, you’re welcome, more than welcome, to provide a spirited defence of Radio.
But if you subscribe, even in part, to the notion that Radio is boring, then tell us what you think is missing? Is it the talent, the technology, the programming or the management?
How would you fix it?
New formats are needed. What about a business talk format? There must be a audience for it. Mix it with some music. Check out this Malaysian Station. The concept is just that. Business talk mixed with classic rock. www.bfm.com.my
Sorry, I've just got to get this off my chest and it concerns primarily (but not exclusively) a considerable number of Community Radio presenters. For the record, I work in Commercial radio AND have also been a volunteer presenter in Community radio since 1980. If this posting can improve at least 10% of Community broadcasters' presentation skills and general appeal I'll be a happy man !!!
I BELIEVE THE HEADING..... 'THINGS THAT DRIVE ME CRAZY ON-AIR' (Part 1) covers it pretty well.
In no particular order.....
* The word is pronounced 'kill-o-meters' NOT 'colometers'
* Please don't tell me the event is on at '9am tomorrow morning', am is morning ! Whilst pm is either afternoon or night, just state today/tomorrow etc. NOT '3pm tomorrow afternoon.'
* How many times do I hear 'BOUGHT to you by...', it's BROUGHT to you by. Bought is a purchase not a presentation.
* Absolutely dreadful re-recordings by either the original solo act or a reformed band combo of a known hit. I still hear some shockers including 'The Letter' & 'Saturday Night At The Movies'.
* The correct pronunciation is actually 'peed-a-file' not 'ped-a-file'.
* Presenters who consistently refer to 'everyTHINK' !
* A sponsorship announcement that includes a landline number(s), a mobile number, fax number,a PO Box number and a web address...believe me, I've heard them. Talk about overkill for the listeners interest &/or attention.
* The point above is even more excruciating when it is done LIVE and the presenter stumbles & fumbles his/her way through the maze of telephone/fax/box numbers & dot.forward slash.dot.org.dot.back slash.dot.au.dot.gov...sheesh, I'm lost type information. What a waste of precious airtime ! Keep it understandable folks, either refer them to a SIMPLE web site address or call the station for more information.
* Where a presenter does a once a week programme and you hear the same people, week in week out, requesting songs. Might be great for the presenter's ego and that of those requesting the tracks, but it's as boring as darts on the radio for the majority of passive listeners.
* Presenter who can't time out to either the top or bottom of the hour cleanly.
* Vocal tracks being hacked or the first 15 seconds played of an instrumental, in an attempt to fill the gap before the relayed news service pops up.
* Very wet sounding abbreviations, such as 'OJ' for orange juice, 'Goody Road' for Goodwood Road etc.
* Well intentioned, but boring presenters playing their music, stating their having a ball "and I hope you'se are too". PLEASE, what's the address of the nearest quality control lab ?
* Presenters reading (often without pre-reading)the daily Celebrity Birthdays, Trivia & on This Day type services WITHOUT creativity. It often sounds like a long, boring shopping list. Speaking of long, 3 minutes of the above is a little dumb in my book.
OK, why do I bother listening ? Well, it's different and you never know 'what' will pop up next and maybe that's the angle. Like the time I heard a track back announced on a Community station as "That was a great 'little tune' (grrrr) by Milli and Vanilli" !!! However, Community Radio can be and should be different to the Commercial sector, but that's no reason for being amateurish with the basics. Like I said, if my initial check list (ah yes, I have more) can help at least 10% of volunteer presenters lift their game... MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, JIM.
Regards,
IAN in Adelaide (Founder, 'Grumpy Older Men, Down Under')
www.ianwright1.voice123.com