Podcasting has become a phenomenal success, almost overnight, for radio. While Austereo’s reporting about 300,000 downloads per month, the ABC’s up to 500,000+ for Radio National alone. No wonder both are busy working on viable business models that will capitalise on this rapidly growing traffic.
Wait a minute! The ABC making money from programming? Is that kosher?
Under the ABC’s charter, commercial sponsorship is definitely out, but through its Enterprise Division it can package and sell material to the public – which it does very successfully online and through its chain of ABC shops.
So why not charge for Podcasts says Management?
Critics of the idea say there’s a big difference between selling a program on CD well after it is broadcast and podcasting which provides listeners with the facility to simply time shift a program that they otherwise may have missed and are, therefore, entitled to hear it “free to air” included in their “8 cents” per day.
RN staff presented a discussion paper as a passionate appeal to management, stating, “Radio National staff are concerned that any bumbling effort to commercialise RN Podcasting will kill the goose that’s laid the golden egg.
“Think of the public backlash”, says the paper. “Think of losing that audience. Think of losing that opportunity for learning how to play in this new and exciting landscape. Instead of being known around town as the innovators, we’ll be the dunderheads. The mob who shot themselves in the foot. The best strategy is for the ABC and RN to continue to build and learn from Podcasting.”
That’s what they reckon. What do you reckon?
Of course, if you don’t care a fig one way or the other, you could, instead, weigh in to this week’s hottest topic: Whether the “Shock Jocks” are to blame for the Sydney “race riots”.
REMEMBER! It’s your Forum, so you can respond to this week’s topic, choose your own topic, or respond to others.
To read or post, just click the blue title link above. If you’re a non-subscriber, you can send your post in an email to [email protected].
I've just heard, what would have been the first Traffic posting ahead of mine will now not appear, due to a Scheduling error !!!
The unsung heroes of commercial radio? Well, could be...but the real heroes are those who once put everything on cart and had NO fast forward on the replay decks...making for a very long re-cue time if you put a 30" on a 6 minute cart.....
I'm 30 and have been listening to Vega953 all week for around 6-7 hours a day via streaming. I love the music mix, it sounds like my iPod except for some newer rock tracks I have. I like Angela's breakfast and Wendy, well, Wendy is just Wendy. Rebecca and Tony's program is a good mix of music and sport and entertainment - more Kerry O'Keeffe needed though!
One thing Vega does need to do is beef up their news content a little more. Ashley Hall only did around 3-4 stories early in the week.
Vega - well let's have some fun. Found the fact in a newsgroup through the week!
Add the letter S, and you've got Vegas. Add the letter N and you've got Vegan! Amazing eh! Then you've got "Vaguer" to contend with! Oh what fun...and then, if you're really game, add a couple of letters, change a vowel or two, and you've got a part of the female anatomy! I don't think that goes too well with "FM" at the end though...
Seriously though I reckon those of you still suffering from tall poppy syndrome oughta give 'em a break. At time of writing it's only been a few days and you have to expect mistakes here and there. Big woop if they run into vocals or something doesn't fire off. Like you people expecting NSW's Morris Iemma to fix everything with 2 or 3 days in the job! Fer heaven's sake...and "Sounds like community radio"? No it doesn't! Drop the power down to 75 watts. THEN it will.
I do have to ask though. The TVC for these guys features a human ear that runs along the ground and ends up in some strange places. Think about the beer ad where someone's tongue does the same thing. Was the inspiration for Vega's TVC from the beer ad?
Like many others I have been listening to Vega via the Net, and yes it does sound great! Just like the CD's I make up for my car!! Why do I do this? I live in Brisbane not Sydney!! Finally someone has woken up to the fact that 'great music' can be mixed up to sound fantastic, regardless of what decade it came out!
I do agree with Camel about research, if it was done it wouldn't say as Paul Thompson says that older people are more tolerant of commercials, that is just crap! If it was true why do the ABC - with no commercials - dominate the older demographics?!!! When I was younger I couldn't understand why my Dad muted commercials on TV - now I know why!!! Plus, Camel I think Vega sounds a great deal like BBC Radio 2, a format I suggested would do well here! Maybe we should start a research company?!
Brian Chew also makes a good point about 97.3FM, hard to believe the solicitor made a mistake in registering the domain name!! We should start a book on a date for change!! They certainly sound less like a juke box of late, and like Triple M and B105, have increased their play list. Although B105 must have the dumbest listeners - as B105 say they include stuff they have bought in from home - are their listeners that dumb they believe that?!! Stations that become arrogant and ignore their listeners eventually fall in the ratings, remember when B105 was 30%+?? They now sound tired, rather like their old logo which still appears on the list of stations on the Neilsen Ratings link, unlike their sister stations, whose logos even move!!
Vega and Triple M are both sounding good, Triple M less so when they talk too much. Great to hear so much music variety on FM, that hasn't been heard there for ages, what a turn around from not long ago when the choice on FM was aimed at 10-17! Let's hope they continue to widen the choice.
Slightly off topic post from me again but I can't wait to hear Brian Carlton back in a regular slot. We've only heard him between christmas's so it's nice to see him do a regular gig back at the house of M's. Onya Brian! Can't wait to listen in!
I just read the news story on Bill Caralis getting upset about other stations poaching his staff.
This is a joke right? Some elaborate hoax perhaps and I'm missing the point?
I pass no comment on the employment practices of Mr Caralis.... but Justin Kelly at 2GB is absolutely correct... if 2SM is losing staff then there's got to be a "local" reason.
Happy well paid staff don't leave, Bill. And let's not forget it's a free market, if competition is OK on air then surely it's OK in the employment market.
I'm sure someone is going to post that I've lost my sense of satire and irony and someone is having a laugh.... I hope so.
Tell you what, I would kill to get into commercial radio, after doing radio stuff voluntarily for 16 years but there just doesn't seem to be any openings at all..bummer..
In light of some of the postings below re the changing radio environment, an interesting exercise is to look at the current Radioinfo employment section re announcer on-air vacancies.
Noting the 10 vacancies dated from 16/8 down to 21/7/05, 8 are for Commercial stations targeting largely 'under 30' demos, 1 is seeking volunteer talent for the Community sector and 2 are with the ABC.
My point ? Apart from obviously zero dollars for the Community experience, only the ABC stipulates a salary range. Taking climate, location and station reputation into account is certainly important, but why not even a mention of remuneration with the Commercial stations ???
While legislative changes have played their role, surely it is technological advancement that has been the major factor in the growth of "network" radio. I feel sorry for those whose careers and livelihoods have been adversely effected by these advances - unfortunately it is a case of historical coincidence. The harsh reality is, if satellite distribution, computer automation etc had existed 50 years ago, networked radio would have existed 50 years ago.
The ink was still wet on Marconi's patent when someone worked out you could make a buck from this new fangled radio thingy. And human nature being what it is, when opportunities arise to make more money (or spend less money - which has the same effect) there are plenty of people who will take them.
One final point... at least as far as metropolitan radio is concerned, last time I checked both revenue AND listener numbers were up, so it can't all be doom and gloom.
Regarding Peter Sinclair’s comments:
While legislative changes have played their role, surely it is technological advancement that has been the major factor in the growth of "network" radio.
I feel sorry for those whose careers and livelihoods have been adversely affected by these advances - unfortunately it is a case of historical coincidence. The harsh reality is, if satellite distribution, computer automation etc had existed 50 years ago, networked radio would have existed 50 years ago.
Couldn’t agree more Peter. And I too (probably due to my age) lament the passing of ‘some’ things that were. But life moves on for better or worse. This constant gnashing of teeth and wringing of hands about the parlous state of radio today isn’t terribly productive. Too much of it sounds like a yearning for times passed.
If you’re reading this and feeling like the biz has left you behind perhaps spare a thought for another generation of radio professionals. There were once hundreds of Australian radio actors, writers, producers and support staff who were discarded by radio when TV started in the ’50s. Radio found a new, less expensive toy to play with via the USA: Top 40. Consequently, many great radio artists were left behind as the industry moved into a new ‘transistorised’ age aimed mostly at young people.
These days when I read that ‘real’ jocks have been replaced by footballers, comedians, lawyers…ex Big Brother players, it simply reinforces (to me anyway) the cyclic nature of radio…of life!
Hey There Forum Junkies!
Most of you proabably have heard of SYN FM, Melbourne - or know us as the station that has 13 year olds on the air.
At the moment, we are in the process of renovating our broadcast studios, building a 3rd news/production studio and moving our offices into a two storey building. Yes, you have read all of that information correctly. So much is happening at once!
Youth community radio station SYN is moving on up. And as you would expect, we are desperately trying to fundraise and are looking towards ex-SYNNERS and the Australian radio commuinty to help the appeal.
At the moment we are having a small appeal that we are having called SYNS ROOF OF FAME where we are asking for donations from the SYN community and in return you get your name on the SYN Studio Roof.
It would be great to be able to have some names on the roof of radio people who are truly flying in the community!
For more information visit: http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/synfm
Bryce Ives
just want to say goodbye and good wishes to Jamie Dunn and Penny Cooper who are leaving B105.
Yes another off topic post from moi...sorry...anyone interested in 40 umatic videotapes? Send us a private message on here if you are.
Off Topic i know.. BUT
Does anyone know where you can get made those microphone signs with the logo on. Every radio station has em but I cant find anyone in the world who makes them. So any ideas would be triffic.
Stephan
Jason, you work for 2GB and have an obvious commitment to your colleagues, which I respect, but I think you need to step back a moment and think "What would have happened if the plane crashed or had some other unfortunate, and ultimately disasterous, accident?"
Unfortunately this would have probably resulted in Ray looking like a downright fool, he would have recieved a national (and possibly international) roasting for the way he would have appeared to glamourise a tragic event.
To the same extent, I think Ray is a fantastic sports commentator, and I mute the TV coverage so I can listen to his call of the action. You are right, he does have a "take the listener there" style, and it is fantastic.
I have listened to both the Laws & Hadley version of events, and I feel that Laws was much more prepared for something to go wrong. I can understand that Hadley was excited, and he did what he thought was right at the time, but I'm sure you would have to agree that if things had gone wrong, it could have been a disaster for Hadley.
Anyway, to deviate off topic, Jason, I love your segment on the 2CC breakfast program, and look forward to hearing more...have a good long weekend.
Samuel,
You raise some very valid points I must say. I also wonder how tragic it would've been for everybody had it gone the other way, but as you say the roasting Ray would have got if it indeed got disastrous.
Having said that though, I think Ray Hadley and his team with Andrew Moore and the others are world class. (yeah ok Matt, I know you don't like 2GB but stiff, I thought this was my opinion). They do have a 'take the listener there' style, and it's nice to turn down the sound on Fox and listen to Ray's footy calls. Put simply, Ray is one of the finest sports broadcasters this country's ever seen - I'd even go as far as putting him in the same league (no pun intended) as Frank Hyde. It really is that simple.
Ray Hadley with or without the Continuous Call team? Hell yes!
Jeremy,
Ah, so you're the "voice of reason" on aus.radio.broadcast.. good points though.
Actually, he is the "voice of region" according to his aus.radio.broadcast post (http://groups.google.com/group/aus.radio.broadcast/browse_thread/thread/1849a59d26a300e7)
This is not on the subject, but the notes about Bill Caralis prompted me to make a comment. Bill recently sold Heat FM in Noosa (Gympie licence area) Bill's previous duopoly in that licence area provided CHOICE AND DIVERSITY in that licence area for its listeners.
Classic hits/4GY for the older audience and The Heat for the younger audience.
With the recent sale of The Heat, the new owners are going to relaunch The Heat early next year for an over 40 audience. Obviously so that it doen't compete directly with the new owners younger demographic station in the PART of the licence area that overlaps with Nambour licence area (Hot 91).
Would appear that the new owners focus is on the overlapping area and even perhaps the fortutitous signal into the Nambour only licence area - which is quite significant.
The northern area of the Gympie licence area (ie Gympie/Cooloola Shire) does not receive even a rural grade Nambour signal. So early next year Gympie and surrounds will no longer have a commercial radio station that caters for under 40's.
Would hazzard a guess that the Gympie under 40's arent going to be happy chappys about losing their station . Better them than me Gympie will probably be the only provincial city in Qld that doesnt have an under 40's station.
I'm sure in due course the younger Gympie and district population will be hailing the former owner (Caralis) as a hero for the level of choice his ownership provided to the ENTIRE GYMPIE LICENCE AREA.
PS Reckon a great place to buy a music shop that caters for under 40's might be the Gympie/Coloola Shire. Think CD demand might be on the increase from early next year!
Coke after coke after coca-cola...yes folks, Sally Loane of ABC 702 fame has now got herself a position with Coca Cola Amatil...
has anyone read in the adelaide advertiser on tuesday that arn are to launch a new am station tonight on 1323 am singal in adelaide
RADIO WOW FM SEMAPHORE ADELAIDE BURNS DOWN ON SUNDAY MORNING 23.10.05 AT 4.00 AM. NO LIVES LOST!
Australia wide we are contacting our colleagues in the industry for
some much needed asistance to continue broadcasting. We are looking to obtain 5 CD players, preferably Dennons or Sony players with the the knob function for fast forwarding tracks. Our remote system is also damaged. The console is totally destroyed as are microphones for quest interviewees and the main microphone for the on air presenter.
If you can assist in anyway whatsoever please contact George Anderson,
Programme Director & Board Member WOW FM 100.5 on 08447513883. We would be eternally grateful for any assistance possible. Thank you.
***THE POSTER OF THIS MESSAGE IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH WOW FM AND IS JUST FORWARDING IT AS A COMMUNITY SERVICE***
Volunteering. It helps if volunteers have a sense of ownership and of worthwhile contribution to their community, especially if required to work alongside paid staff. At 5tcbFM Bordertown and Limestone Coast, volunteers are scarce in a busy community with more jobs than people -so we try really hard to ensure volunteers know their rights and responsibilities; have clear guidelines for program format requirements, are demonstrably appreciated and well supported by committed and continuous staff. We generally have an harmonious, efficient and productive workplace.
Geoff Williams, GM 5tcb
From personal friendship and from observation as a listener, I know the ABC has some damn fine people (some ex commercial radio) and many excellent programmes.
What really annoys me (as an experienced media person of 34 years and ABC "shareholder"!) and others I know, is the all-too-common employment application process, protocol, politics and protracted decision making process one is subjected to.
In my career both 'on' and 'off' air, I guess I've applied 3 times to join the ABC in various roles. On one occasion, after an initial interview, I then faced an interview with a committee of 3, which in itself was no problem. I did not get the position BUT learned not long after from an ABC employee who I knew in that city, that I was NEVER going to get the position as the quota deemed a female was required to balance the books and maintain the political correctness of the day ! Boy, was I steamed up.
On a more recent experience (and this happens a lot with Aunty)applications were invited Nationally for a capital city vacancy. The inside word from day 1 was the position would almost certainly go to a current employee in the building (names were mentioned) or an ABC employee from another state, also named. To summarise the protracted story of advertise/analyse/cull/interview/communicate to the unsuccessful/appoint and announce to the world saga to its basics, the exercise took around 3 months from start to finish. The successful person WAS one of the home base employees initially mentioned and I'm sure has the credentials, however just maybe the ABC employment charter needs to be addressed (1)to save on expensive National newspaper/Trade advertising costs, (2)National staffing levels and (3)to allow the ABC on occasions to advertise and appoint within its own organization only WHEN it is pretty clear the perceived calibre of willing candidates for a position is high.
I applied for the above position with a full and professionally executed CV, supporting documentation, analyse of the current market situation and constructive future strategies for discussion, to further the growth of the ABC station(s). I was unsuccessful. So what's my beef ? Is it a case of sour grapes on my behalf ? Or, do I feel the wrong person got the job ? Well, the answer has a lot to do with fair play, honesty and throwing the political correctness BS out of the ABC arena. Maybe the latter PC issue is an area both the Federal Government and the more enlightened at the ABC need to thrash out el pronto !
No, my real beef is, despite my detailed and solid 34 year track record in primarily commercial radio including that of Broadcaster & Management, I wasn't even given the opportunity of a face-to-face interview. Also, an answer to an initial (interstate)telephone query from me re an aspect of the Selection Criteria was not returned, the process was drawn out AND my final letter of application rejection came from a different ABC Human Resources person, in a different office, in a different state to my original contact, for the vacant position in yet another state !!! Talk about bureaucracy gone crazy.
Not happy with the absence of any real reason(s) stated for my unsuccessful application, I rang my new ABC contact and stated I naturally accept the ABC's decision but would like to know 'why' I was unsuccessful for future reference and knowledge. The person was sympathetic but stated they weren't part of the selection process and their job was to simply pass on the Committees's decision to the unsuccessful.
I think I'll stop here with the fantastic news, I am now part of Adelaide's newest radio station Cruise1323 in a Sales/On-Air role and we launch at 6am Tuesday, November 15. And you know, I believe many ABC listeners will like us too ! Regards, IAN.
Its intersting to see everyones comments on community, commercial and the ABC.
I have been lucky enough to move from community, to commercial and then to the ABC in a very short space of time.
Like anything the radio game is a hard one and it requires alot of hard work. I can't vouch for others expereinces but to get into Aunty was not an easy task, neither was getting into commercial radio.
I belive there is no casting couch, in my personal expereinces it has come down to sending a demo, recieving feedback, making changes to your announcing style, sending a demo getting feedback on so on and so forth until an opportunity is presented. Then applying for the job and hoping like hell that your 5 panel interview that you sweat through and your ability will get you the job.
The policys and procedures within the ABC are strict and without them, it would be a very hard company to run. Yes it is accountable to the people of Australia, but now being inside the ABC I believe it has the fairest selection process I have ever come across.
I tried for four years, and applied for dozens and dozens of jobs with the ABC each year. In my experience it all comes down to hard work and persistance and being the best person for the job.
The Community / Commercial radio question simply reinforces there is demand for both, with the final numbers always decided upon by the consumer.
As a generalisation, Commercial radio is 'worked' by Broadcasters whilst Community radio is 'volunteered' by Podcasters, hence a unique end product.
For the record, my Commercial radio employment & background is (and has been since the 70's)complimented by involvement in the Community radio sector. They have their place.
Regards, IAN WRIGHT, Cruise1323 Adelaide.
I would like to thank Jason Nightingale for his insightful response.
Perhaps Jason should consider actually doing some research before passing any form of comment in a public arena.
For the record the full WA survey is available online at http://www.cbonline.org.au/media/listener_survey/wa/Fact_Sheet-WA.pdf.
So it seems that the CBAA is being held accountable by publishing all the information that Jason required. If only Jason had visited the website, he would have found a PDF document outlining the numerous aspects of the survey.
For instance, who would have guessed the average time spent listening to community radio in an average week by listeners to community radio = 9.3 hours? Wow.
And who would have ever imagined that the telephone survey of a representative sample of 702 people 15+ throughout Western Australia? Gee.
Jason needs to realise that this research has been extensive, has been delivered by a reputable organisainion in McNair Ingenuity and has taken a national snapshot of a diverse and growing sector.
Perhaps in return, Jason would like to explain why Community broadcasting listenership is not specifically collected in the radio industry’s regular audience research conducted by Neilsen Media Research and how this might impact the results of a survey?
Finally, I couldn’t help but comment about Roger Woods claim that networked programming such as ‘How Green is My Cactus’ and ‘Take 40 Australia’ is true community media.
Whilst I agree that there is a place and audience for such programming, the key finding of the MCNAIR SURVEY has confirmed what Community Broadcasting has known for years that listeners tune into our stations for diversity in programming, REAL local programming and specialist music or information programs.
Bryce Ives
General Manager - SYN Melbourne
In response to Jason Nightingale:
For the record - Neilsen do not list community radio stations in the diaries and community stations are excluded from being paying participants in the capital city surveys.
Were Neilsen to prompt for listening to individual community radio stations in the diary it is widely accepted that this would increase reported listening.
I think you'll find that the 5,014 sample of radio listening in the McNair study is a robust sample and statistically valid. A larger sample (Neilsen guarantee 10,400 over five capitals) would allow more detailed reporting of individual station listening but shouldn't change the 'total listening' results for community radio significantly.
I do wonder why CRA continue to exclude community stations from the survey. Some could afford to participate and generate revenue based on the results. If all radio listening was measured and reported, advertisers could have more faith in the results. The inclusion of community radio stations would bring down the cost to each participating station.
This would be a more cost effective solution for all concerned - perhaps the future introduction of digital measurement will be an opportunity to address this.
After 2 years of very active 'on-air' & 'off-air' work experience (my last 2 years of High School at Port Macquarie) I joined 2KM Kempsey in November 1971, as weekday "Night" announcer, Sunday "Breakfast" announcer AND the bloke charged with sorting out the record library mess ! The working week often involved OB's on your day off and all the other duties associated with regional radio.
I was as happy as a pig in s..t, even with my gross pay of $45, netting me $39.80, fifteen of which went on board. Pro rata in 2005, I guess nothing much has changed, in getting started and staying in the business. It takes a lot of dedication, sacrifice, love, passion AND 'wisdom' as you get older.
Regards, IAN....."still Cruisin' after all these years".
Cruise1323 Adelaide, Sales & Weekend Nights via www.cruise1323.com.au
Weighing on the vega debate...
I'd say give them a chance. Sure, 1.8% in Sydney IS a long way to go, but let's give the newcomer a chance to strut their stuff over the next 12 months. Apparently 2DAY was around this ratings score when they started. I was lucky enough to meet Jen Oldershaw at my AFTRS course and I really hope in the future she isn't a ratings casualty - she sounds great on air, in person she is so down to earth, and was a great help during my course. (and of course I was jumping for joy when I found out she's now doing brekky over summer. (YES!!)
Unfortunately due to miscommunication I was unable to make it on air at Vega myself for Mike Perso's personal playlist segment but I did win CD's from them recently and they were two I really wanted as well.
I would appreciate that if you have any "fanboi" comments to make, you keep them to yourselves - that's NOT nice, and I know some of you have some growing up to do).
Putting industry politics, programming, sexual preferences, points of view, profit & loss, promotions, PR & personalities to one side, may I be permitted to pass on my personal Christmas greetings, with just over a week to go, to the Radioinfo team & all who contribute to &/or read this site.
Let's enjoy & embrace the competition 2006 will bring radio and in turn make us better radio people.
Now, it's a Ho Ho Ho from Santa's friend, who, like Santa, is built for comfort not speed.
Regards, IAN, Cruise1323 Adelaide.
I have just read a post about something called NAB.
This feels like a really dumb question: what does NAB stand for?
Geoff Vivian
Radio Station Manager
Puranyangu-Rangka Kerrem Aboriginal Radio
Phone 08 9168 6416
Fax 08 9168 6194
Anyone interested in podcasts will find a fascinating choice of both audio and video downloads at Macquarie Radio Network's new podcast site
www.freedigitalcontent.com
Posted by Dr Bridget Griffen-Foley.
I would like to initiate a discussion about a new topic: talkback radio in (and since) the 1970s. As some of you are aware, I am writing a major new book, CHANGING STATIONS: THE STORY OF AUSTRALIAN COMMERCIAL RADIO.
I have two specific queries relating to the Fairness Code for Broadcasters, and the legal obligation to identify on-air talkback callers making political comment during election campaigns. I would be grateful for information about how these questions were ultimately resolved, and any thoughts about the broader issues at stake.
Firstly, in 1971, following criticisms of talkback radio and with the election of a Labor government a real possibility, FARB commenced work on a Fairness Code for Broadcasters. A clause in the one-page code despatched to stations in 1973 stated that reasonable opportunity would be provided for adequate presentation of responsible points of view on controversial public issues, and that individuals subjected to personal attack should be granted facilities to reply. Over the next few years the ‘right of reply’ was granted on several occasions, and the code was periodically reviewed. It is unclear what happened to the Fairness Code and its intent. Did the code simply fade away from misuse and, if so, when?
Secondly, in 1972-73 complaints about anonymous criticisms of the ALP made by talkback callers led to the discovery that the Commonwealth Electoral Act obliged stations to identify on-air callers during election campaigns. In 1974 a bill containing a clause overturning the requirement that callers be identified joined the queue of legislation blocked by the Senate. As a result, during the 1975 election campaign some stations banned all political comment from talkback shows, declaring that anonymity was the basis of such programs. Again, I wonder when the clause requiring the identification of talkback callers was actually overturned?