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Two remarks: One on the afternoon shift and its probable success and the other on 'shock jocks'
First, I have said on this site about the decision by management to remove Chris Smith from 2GB despite 90+ successive ratings wins was warped. I still stand by that.
At the same time, I also said in the same post that swapping evening shifts with the afternoon shifts may still work. Furthermore I said that radical changes to programming styles is a "two edged sword" and the decision as to the success or failure rests on management.
Having said that, I have listened to the Steve Price program during his permanent shift from 2000-0000 and am listening to his Mon-Fri show between 1200-1500 and while he temporarily substitutes for the breakfast shift between 0530-0900. I also acknowledge the fine job performed by John Stanley during the radio shift version of "musical chairs" during the absence of the breakfast presenter 0530-0900 and/or morning shift presenter 0900-1200 and/or the early evening 'money' show 1800-2000 and/or late evening shift 2000-0000.
Steve Price, John Stanley and Chris Smith have their fingers on the pulse on what is newsy and what may be future news stories. They all have the gut instinct on whether political issues will sustain or whither.
Therefore on balance, Steve Price may well sustain the ratings of the afternoon shift formerly held by Chris Smith. Wait for the ratings results.
Second, a remark about the word "shock jock". I don't believe that any former or current presenter on 2GB would be regarded as a shock jock. I could illustrate shock jock examples on other stations: a fake impression of a member of the Royal Family enquiring about the birth of her relative, a person impersonating an educational authority telling a top ranking HSC graduate that her ATAR mark was lower. Then we have a music presenter intruding into the sexual lives of news readers. Then in the US there is Alex Jones who makes extraordinary claims about the cause of massacres in the US. This is the provocative and UNACCEPTABLE material of a shock jock. Neither of which has or is occurring on 2GB.
Thank you,
Anthony, of exciting, dynamic and downtown Belfield
I just had a look at survey 5 for Sydney's radio ratings, at https://www.gfk.com/fileadmin/user_upload/dyna_content/AU/Documents/Share_Summary_Reports/Metro/2019/Survey_5/GfK_Summary_Report_Sydney_Survey_5_2019.pdf
I prognosticated that Steve Price may do well and he did, at 11.6%, a small drop from 11.9%. Similarly, John Stanley's move to the evening shift 2000-0000, his ratings were 13.4%, a drop of 0.9%, but ahead of 702 ABC (2BL) at 9.3%.
Yes there was an overall drop at 2GB, but it remains market leader.
Nevertheless, I still hold the decision for Chris Smith's removal is WRONG.
Thank you,
Anthony of exciting and dynamic Belfield