These last few days here on JacoBLOG have spawned a debate about whether broadcast radio in the States is still a viable medium. And like so many other questions in our bipolar world, there is a clear split between those who remain bullish about radio despite the competitive environment and self-inflected wounds versus those who insist the credits are rolling.
For the critics, it’s the usual vitriol, mostly aimed at big companies, consolidation,
massive debt, greed, budget cuts, layoffs, and wrong-headed decisions. (Have I left anything out?) And from the defenders, it’s the familiar story about reach, nostalgia, history, community service and connection, “the original social network,” and personality connection.
Of course, both sides are right. And your mileage will indeed vary, depending on where you live and what you listen to. I can think of markets (I wrote about Omaha last week) where there are signs of life on the FM band. But I can also think of much bigger markets where radio has severely degraded over the years, leaving former listeners with little to choose from. So, I get it.
I also heard from some of you who pointed to the tragedy in Baltimore last week as proof positive that when the going gets rough, local radio steps up. And that is indeed true. But why does it often take a tragedy for radio to step up? And what about all those stations that were embarrassingly late to the party because they were voicetracking or otherwise out of the loop when disaster struck.
That’s why Monday’s science experiment might prove to be an interesting moment for radio in 2024. The solar eclipse may turn into one of those communal moments where most Americans are talking about and experiencing the same thing – without screaming at each other. In fact, it’s hard to imagine the eclipse being politicized (but some may indeed try).
Obviously, there will be other factors in play – where you live, the weather at the moment in time – but the eclipse (surprising they don’t name these things like they do hurricanes) will be the center of attention on an otherwise typical Monday in April. It turns out 99% of American geography will witness one phase or another.
How will the radio stations in your town play it? Or will they?
Will it just be the simple acknowledgment this astrological event is happening (perhaps accompanied by an appropriate song or two like “Moon Shadow” or “Darkness, Darkness”) or will this moment be met by real creativity?
Will morning shows come back on the air for a “play-by-play,” will there be solar eclipse watching parties, will stations bring on meteorologists to chart the celestial event – or will it be business as usual on the radio with national contest giveaways of $1,000 going on as the moon blocks out the sun?
In other words, will your station turn the eclipse into an event or will it be just another quarter-hour or two in an otherwise mundane, forgettable early spring day.
If you’re in the food or restaurant business, April 8 will obviously be a banner day. ABC News recently did a rundown of the many specials being offered by chains that include Burger King and Appleby’s.
Of course, Moon Pies will be in on the action, but one of the cleverest is the newest novelty treat from Krispy Kreme – Total Eclipse Donuts – on sale today and while they last through Monday.
Yum…they look good enough to eat.
Yes, the rock stations will likely dust off that copy of Dark Side of the Moon, while the pop stations might search for “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in their hard drives.
Will stations use their dashboard metadata to coincide with the eclipse on dashboards all over town?
Truly, the eclipse will put radio’s relevance and resilience to the test on Eclipse Day. And I know a lot of you will be listening in and keeping score.
I’d love to hear about the good, the bad, the creative, and even the just plain lame in the “comments” section of this post.
Unfortunately, Paul and I will be at 35,000 feet in a Delta jet while the galactical
gala is taking place. We’ll see how the cockpit crew plays it, and know that we will be donning our special solar eclipse glasses while eating almonds and drinking coffee.
What will your station be doing Monday?
And what’s the over:under on how many times Bonnie Tyler will get airplay throughout the day? And songs from Dark Side of the Moon?
I’ll start: 224 plays.
Pink Floyd: 175 plays.
Thanks to Reid Jacobs for the eclipse movie on the top of today’s post.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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The videography in the eclipse video is amazing. Well done.
Kudos to my newphew, Reid Jacobs!
Our all request lunch hour runs starting around the time we’ll start seeing the eclipse here in Central Wisconsin, so we’re having listeners give us their songs relating to eclipses, the sun, the moon, sunglasses, space and more!
wisconsin106.com
Enjoy your flight! I’ll bet that is going to be a unique experience if you’re headed West!
For boom 973 in Toronto, Canada. We’re going commercial free for the hour during the eclipse with “Solar Eclipse Soundtrack”, featuring related songs: Twilight Zone – Golden Earring, Total Eclipse of The Heart – Bonnie Tyler, Sunglasses at Night – Corey Hart, etc. and a tripped out/reworked version of Pink Floyd’s “Brain Damage/Eclipse” timed for when the moment happens.
When/if you can, I bet JacoBLOG reaeders would like to hear your variation on “BD/E” from Floyd. Enjoy the day!
Our music stations have programmed 2.5 hours of uninterrupted music to go with the various phases of the eclipse. For example, on our classical station, totality will end with the fanfare from Also Sprach Zarathustra. We’ve been promoting this as take your public radio station with you to watch the total solar eclipse, listen while you watch day turn to night and back again, etc.
More points for public radio, Jeanne. Enjoy the festivities. Nothing like providing a soundtrack to a mega-event.
On the last eclipse, I did an hour long montage Soundtrack timed to within 5 seconds of totality for the Classic Hits station at the time. Started with Fire on High from ELO, Total Eclipse of the Heart at totality, into Here comes the Sun from the Beatles. Sprinkled in some Flash Gordon Soundtrack stuff, Dark Side of the Moon, Lights/Journey, Lights Out/Peter Wolf, Moonshadow, Thriller, Don’t let the Sun go Down on Me, Dancing in the Moonlight, Ain’t no Sunshine, etc. Sold sponsorship of it to an electric provider for $1,250.
Oh, that last line, Bruce. Special momments involve sharing the moment with our advertisers, letting them reap the benefits of radio during a special, communal moment.
1) Produce some special imaging proclaiming WXXX as “The OFFICIAL Station” of the 2024 North American Eclipse (“Only one station has the bucks, the clout and the political connections to bring you a free total eclipse of the sun!”)
2) Run thru the music library and list all the SUN, MOON and SHADOW songs for the jocks to freewheel.
3) Hopefully by this time, Sales & Promotions down the hall have woven their own magic and is ready.
4) Cross your fingers for good weather.
#3 is always important, Allan. Sponsorship revenue that accompanies the magic moon dust momment would make lots of sense. I’m not holding my breath.
How about a counter reaction to all the sun watching come Monday. Have a sponsor put up a huge tent on your station’s property (if you have the space) and have people come in the tent for the “Event in the Tent!” Have a party Inside the tent have a party of your choice with games and different things for your guest to do. Announce that once in the tent you have to stay until the eclipse is over! Name the tent “The Totality Tent.” Zig where others are zagging.
Of course your creative juckes are flowing. When I was a little boy, I recall one of these astronomical events on happpening on a Saturday. Several of the moms on our block took us kids to the movies so we could safely enjoy an afternoon of “The Three Stooges>”
In addition to its limited-time “Punk Stargonaut” flavors, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is offering eclipse glasses–with those glasses including both the general and promotional branding. That reminds me that, in decades past, some stations would’ve at least tried doing some form of promotional merchandise specifically tied in with a similar event.
https://www.facebook.com/JenisIceCreams/posts/pfbid0H2peJCziM9BTrEG5NtuXSsS3gNtPoVkXQi622JJoRuvyQ8UYRdD5ZdUVuGU3wnLcl
Emphasis on “decades past,” Eric – sadly. They would have cost pennies to make, would’ve been great brand reinforcement, and maybe would have accounted for a few less fried eyeballs.
Fred, you are reading my mind. We have over 2 hours of eclipse music (sun, dark, night, eclipse songs). And Pink Floyd/Bonnie Tyler during the total eclipse. Little Rock and a big chunk of Arkansas are in the path of totality. We’ll be broadcasting live in Russellville, AR, named one of the best 10 places in the country to see the eclipse, with special guests from NASA, The Weather Channel, and others. Broadcast is 100% sponsored too. Hoping for great weather on Monday! We’re also ready to relay any traffic, weather, or other information. They’re saying the masses of people coming to Arkansas for the eclipse could cause major traffic problems and stress the cel phone systems.
Sounds like the makings of a fun day. Let’s hohpe for clear skies…and new cume!
A sun/moon soundtrack from 2:20 to 3:20 and my station will be at a brewery in the path of totality, handing out eclipse glasses. Also doing a Sun & Moon weekend with themed songs a couple times an hour.
Keith, what would a solar eclipse be without lager?
NPR stations across the country (including ours here in State College, PA) will be carrying Here & Now’s 2 hour special coverage of the event. We’ve been actively promoting it for days and are looking forward to the ~95% eclipse we’ll see here!
Good to see public radio, NPR, WBUR, & the “Hear & Now” team leaning into this event.
Playlist for 90.5 WERG for Monday afternoon in Erie, PA:
2pm
Snow Patrol/Called Out in the Dark
Local Natives & Sylvan Esso/Dark Days
AWOL Nation/Hollow Moon
Alabama/Sad Lookin’ Moon
Pearl Jam/Superblood Wolfmoon
War on Drugs/Oceans of Darkness
Police/Walking on the Moon
Feist/My Moon, My Man
Randy Travis/Honky Tonk Moon
Moon Taxi/All Day All Night
Boy Meets Girl/Bring Down the Moon
Eric Alexandrakis/Silver Moon
CCR/Bad Moon Rising
Metric/Eclipse
Lord Huron/Moonbeam
Kate Bush/Big Sky
3pm
Pink Floyd/Brain Damage-Eclipse
Frank Sinatra/Fly Me to the Moon
Bob Seger/Shame on the Moon
David Bowie/Space Oddity
>> TOTALITY <<
Walk the Moon/Shut Up and Dance
Ricky Skaggs/Cajun Moon
Beck/Blue Moon
REM/Man on the Moon
Oak Ridge Boys/Lucky Moon
Bonnie Tyler/Total Eclipse of the Heart
I love it!
Thanks, Frank! Let’s have fun with this.
Well porgrammed, Chet! Happy Eclipse Day!
Our little group in Columbus/Franklin, Indiana has put together an ‘on-air’ event. Basically a fireworks soundtrack but synced with the eclipse hitting totality.
https://www.mixcloud.com/MOJO1029/total-eclipse-of-the-heartland/
-Fritz
Score One for Bonnie Tyler and your team! Love “Total Eclipse of the Heaartland!”
Have fun, Fritz, and thanks for the comment.
Loved the movie at the top but knew immediately it was a fantasy — as if anything could actually block out Jacob’s Media Strategies.
Awww!
I’ll just be brief… the programming department deserves most of the credit.
WHBC AM & FM will be simulcast noon till 4:30 PM. Hand-picked playlist and many interviews with spectators and officials. Two announcers at large events staged by partners. A third talent at the county EMA where they are watching over the situation, especially traffic. News director is the studio anchor. Our market is just inside the totality band and DOT expects thousands of vehicles more than a normal Monday. Special provisions in place to allow talent to communicate with studio. Can you say “cell phone crushing outage”? Had several thousand viewing glasses made up with station logos. ISO 12312-2 certified of course. Gave every single one of them away (could have used more) at sponsored appearances over a couple of weeks. Top it off with the home opener of our MLB team immediately after coverage. I’ll never get to participate in something like this again. Exhausted but satisfied we’re doing all that radio can do.
Dale, it sounds like you’ve got it convered. Enjoy the day, sure to be a memorable one.
The solar eclipse will not be visible in the area where I currently live, but your article allowed me to remember an event we held a long time ago, in the early 90s, in Colombia.
I ran a network of 16 music radio stations called Radioactiva, and in those days, 1991, we were launching our own segment on a satellite to connect the stations for different activities, including our Morning Show, various programs, especially at night, and fairs, concerts and different events around the country.
For that particular eclipse, and it being our first satellite transmission outside the city, we traveled to Ibagué, about 200 kilometers from Bogotá, where the weather and visibility conditions were perfect to appreciate the phenomenon.
We held the Morning Show outdoors from there with public assistance, we had special music programming throughout the day, we invited 3 astronomy experts from a local university, with whom we told in detail everything that was happening in the sky, and at night, being a Friday, we had a big Eclipse Madness party at a local bar with many invited listeners.
Commercially it was a success and opened the doors to a series of similar activities from then on in different parts of the country, and helped us create a large loyal audience in those 16 cities.
Unfortunately, these are the type of events that the radio has stopped carrying out in my country. Few risk leaving their studios anymore, much less connecting cities for interactive events of this type.
Fred,
I did play ‘Dark Side’ in its entirety at KCFX during the 2017 eclipse. I back- timed the album so that ‘Eclipse’ would air at the exact time of the total eclipse in KC. I then filled out the commercial free sweep with Billy Thorpe’s ‘Children of the sun’, The Doors ‘Waiting for the sun’, and other sun themed tunes, for a ‘Total eclipse/ Floyd fix Soundtrack’.
Dan McClintock (available to work)
Good to hear from you, Dan. (If you don’t know Dan, he’s a fine PD who delivered nothing but great ratings during his many years at KCFX.)
Great idea about using the station’s metadata and RDS to promote the station’s programming around the eclipse. Here at Wind-FM in Gainesville/ Ocala, FL, we will only get 60-65% of the eclipse, but it’s still an exciting event. We will be playing a block of music during the height of it. Some songs include “Black Hole Sun,” “Blinded by the Light,” “Paint It Black,” “Eclipse,” etc. Very similar to radio stations playing music to Fourth of July fireworks shows.
Thanks for chiming in on this one, Hunter.