At the start of this year Nine Radio put up a note on their station websites for 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR that the Watch Stream feature will be removed by January 22 (see main image). My response, then and now, was thank goodness.
Likely you will be aware of the seeming need for presenters, podcasters and influencers to have a visual feed of their creative output. There is now as significant an audience to watch hosts like Steven Bartlett, Joe Rogan and Mel Robbins in action, as to listen.
But, live talk radio is a totally different beast, and the No 1 rating hosts in Australia like Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft, Ben Fordham and Mark Levy, deserve to not have to concern themselves with how they look and appear on top of the significant pressures that come from a news-centric program run in real time.
A clear issue for the future of the radio industry is enticing people to the highly regulated talk format when they can simply start a podcast and say what they like. But, if you’ve ever been a guest, in the studio, of an ABC, commercial or a community radio talk program, you will know the thrill and adrenaline of being part of that live experience.
For those of you who have worked in talk radio, you’ll also be aware of how much happens, quietly, behind the scenes while someone, be it the host or a phoner or guest, is talking.
The hand gestures, messaging between producer and host, mouthed signals.
During an ad break the team is ensuring they are fully prepared for what is next. In amongst all of this, especially is a situation of critical breaking news, no one should additionally have to worry about putting their best face forward. The beauty of the medium was always that is encouraged theatre of the mind.
What is reasonable is perhaps one streamed segment a day. Perhaps a musical guest or the like in the studio. Or the host’s op-ed to start the show. The rest, where talk radio is flying by the seat of its pants as best in can, should remain an audio adventure only.
Our professional and experienced talk presenters deserve this respect so that they can focus on the news that matters.
Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.
Email: [email protected]