In Saturday’s New York Times (free registration required), there’s a story about a couple of brothers who have started a different kind of sports/pop culture talk show called “Cheap Seats.” The angle is that the show repurposes ESPN archive footage, and allows the hosts to add commentary. The noteworthy part is that it airs on “ESPN Classic” – a channel where experimentation is welcome. As one of the brothers notes about ESPN Classic, “It’s half the number of viewers as ESPN, but I still think it has been great for us because we’ve been able to hone it.”
That’s a problem in radio because there are no longer developmental slots. If you polled 100 successful DJs, I’d bet that at least 90 would say they got their starts in the overnight hours or by jocking weekend shifts – times that aren’t ratings-critical. But radio today has all but eliminated these “farm team” shifts, opting to save money by voicetracking. Like so many things in radio these days, it’s a smart short-run move, with disastrous long-term implications.
Where will radio’s new voices be honed in an industry where Howard Stern’s departure opens up some big-time opportunities? It’s worth noting that when Jay Leno exits “Tonight,” NBC will step right up with Conan, who has been groomed in the wee hours. When is radio going to figure this out? Is this part of the HD Radio potential?
Read the NYTimes.com Article (free registration required):
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.
- Why Radio Needs To Stop Chasing The Puck - November 21, 2024
- Great Radio – In The Niche Of Time? - November 20, 2024
- “Be My 9th Caller Right Now And Win A Free Slurpee!” - November 19, 2024
Leave a Reply