You have to be a veteran Internet user to remember this weird website that exploded out of the Netherlands back in 2000:
HOT or NOT
If you think the iFart apps were hot, they couldn’t hold a candle to this crazy site that quickly went viral – even before there were dating apps like Tinder and years before Facebook.
The premise was devilishly simple. People submitted photos of themselves (in theory), and users rated them on a 1-10 scale were “10” was HOT and “1” was NOT. You could filter your subjects by gender and age.
So today’s post is going to dust off this old Internet novelty. But instead of rating people, we’re going to rate RADIO.
As you can imagine, in order to write this blog each weekday (excepting #TBT), I’ve got a little army of friends and family who throw lots of chum in my posting waters. I receive articles, stories, jokes, memes – you name it. Most pretty much revolve around the familiar things we talk about here.
And frankly, the fodder I’m finding in my inbox these days about radio are sending me very mixed signals.
On the one hand, there are hopeful missives suggesting all is not lost – that there is still gas in broadcast radio’s tank. On the other, I receive disheartening evidence that would make you think the end is near.
So rather than me internalize all this radio stimuli, I thought I’d put you to work. Below are recent pieces of radio evidence. I’ll give you my HOT or NOT rating, and you can provide your own ratings with explanations in the “comments” or on my socials.
Here goes:
The Radio Purse – HOT or NOT?
There I was in the green room yesterday at Radio Days North America and a group of young women walk in dressed for a party (of which I was not invited).
But I couldn’t help but notice one of them was slinging what looked like a small blingy boombox. Until I looked closer.
That’s Denice modeling it for me.
Rating: A stone cold 10. These were most definitely stylish people, all-in for radio.
Radio makes an appearance in “The Road Trip Game” – HOT or NOT?
There’s nothing like a summer road trip with the family to conjure up visions of the Griswold family’s ill-fated trip to Walley World.
But normal families get along while spending hours in the minivan, getting to know each other a bit better. And what better way to do that than to play a game.
Like “The Road Trip Game.”
In case you somehow missed it, this game is designed to pass the time on a long, monotonous family road trip. Here are the product details, courtesy of Walmart.com:
“Buckle up because family road trips just got an upgrade – introducing The Road Trip Game, the new family-friendly card game by What Do You Meme? Family. The Road Trip Game is packed with tons of dares, trivia, challenges, and more, so you and your car mates will be entertained for miles! With 200 cards, no two games are ever the same. The Road Trip Game is guaranteed to bring the laughs to your next long drive, so load up the car and hit the road! Don’t forget to pack The Road Trip Game for your trip.”
Sounds like it would be fun for the whole family. That’s what Peter Payette, general manager of Interlochen Public Radio, must have been thinking when he purchased #TheRoadTripGame. That is, until he pulled this “Road Trip Game” card:
Ouch.
Why does it seem like the inventor of “The Road Trip Game” just had to be a former radio host whose job was eliminated in a recent RIF?
Rating: If I could give it a “0.” But alas, it’s not on the scale, so I’ll have to settle for a “1.” This is just disheartening.
Another vote for AM radio – this time, from the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (in conjunction with ALLvanza, National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, the Natural Urban League, and OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates – HOT or NOT?
A mouthful, to be sure, but another supportive gesture for the
“AM For Every Vehicle Act.” You had to know when Senators Markey and Cruz put down their howitzers to cosponsor this bill there was something positive happening here for radio.
The last several weeks have seen a whirlwind of support for radio, and one of those rare times when the radio broadcasting industry has united for a common purpose.
Rating: How can you not give this one a “10?” The more, the merrier. This MMTC endorsement continues what has been an amazing show of support for radio’s legacy contribution to America.
Radio.com is off the market – HOT or NOT?
The story behind this once highly regarded domain is an amazing tale of highs and lows.
Originally CNET owned it along with TV.com which they bought in 1996 for the tidy sum of $30,000. When CBS bought them for $1.8 billion, they ended up with this incredibly valuable domain. Or so it seemed.
Then Entercom bought CBS in 2017, and invested in the
domain and the app. But when the company name was switched to Audacy a couple of years ago, Radio.com was put in mothballs.
Until recently. Audacy initiated an online auction for the domain late in 2022 for a starting bid of $2.5 million. Apparently not getting satisfactory offers, the company shut down the auction late last month.
Rating: A “3” is liberal. But because there is no disclosure about the bidding process, we can only assume the powers-that-be at Audacy were disappointed with the result.
The value of anything is dependent on what someone is willing to pay. In this case, we can only conclude it wasn’t enough.
Thanks to Inside Radio for the backstory on Radio.com.
The Atlantic uses the “radio” brand for a new podcast – HOT or NOT?
Late last month, one of the most respected journalism brands, The Atlantic, introduced what they call their “flagship podcast,” called:
Radio Atlantic 
With a new host, senior editor Hanna Rosin, the new podcast is described as follows:
“Like the magazine, the show will ‘road test’ the big ideas that both drive the news and shape our culture.”
With this lofty goal, the last thing The Atlantic would want to do is select a lame name.
We’ve seen many digital and media companies use “radio” in their branding, including Spotify, Amazon, SiriusXM, Slacker, Pandora, and many others.
And yet, many radio broadcasters have distanced themselves from the “R-word.” It is fascinating to observe how a brand can say very different things to different companies.
Rating: Let’s give it a “7.” It’s bold for this publication to call their podcast “radio.”
Bang & Olufsen announces a high-end outdoor speaker system that looks strangely like a radio – HOT or NOT?
The Beosound A5 retails for $1,100 and is clearly not for everyone. A story about the device in Wired says it is worth every penny.
And radio is very much in the center of this product. An app that accompanies the device allows the user to select favorite radio stations or playlists.
With a retro spin, it IS cool-looking. Wired calls it “beautifully built and finished,” but also admits it has “quirky looks.”
Does it resemble a picnic basket…or a radio? Apparently, Bang & Olufsen wants us to decide. In their photo below, the A5 is on the far right, contrasting its appearance to vintage radios.
Rating: It IS weird-looking. It’s got some cool features, but it’s crazy expensive. And after seeing all sorts of odd retro radio devices at CES every year, there’s nothing really novel about the A5’s looks. It’s a “6.”
Radio makes a cameo appearance in a Netflix documentary – HOT or NOT?
They say no publicity is bad publicity – that is, until your station ends up in a documentary called The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker.
The eagle-eyed Bill Jacobs was viewing this show when he spotted a bus making its way through Fresno traffic. And there it is on the back of a bus – an ad for 105.1 The Blaze.
The scene above is apparently from 2013 – a decade ago when radio stations were quite a bit more likely to be marketing.
These days, it would be quite a bit less likely for a radio station to show up in a TV show or movie.
Rating: It’s a “5,” very much in the eyes of the beholder. And whatever you do, don’t pick up a hitchhiker when you’re driving through Fresno.
Use “comments” below to weigh in on these HOT or NOT ratings for radio. Who knows? Maybe the site will make a comeback.
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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“Radio Gets Results” Remember that jingle from the RAB? I am doing some physical therapy, and my trainer did his version of a needs analysis. He learns what I do and relates that his wife worked for public radio in MO long ago. With my follow up visit he says (almost sings) “radio gets results” When I asked how he knows that he tells the story of a facility, where he worked as a trainer, that played the radio and the station (a local commercial station) played that RAB spot A LOT. Give it an 8. Not for burn out, but burn in.
And I remember the red radios and the “Radio is red hot” slogan. It IS amazing how those images and slogans get seared in.
I know we are talking old school with those two promotions, but I think there would be tremendous value in bringing those back. (Does RAB read JacoBLOG?)
The experience Joel relates is precisely why the “Radio Gets Results” campaign should make a comeback. If a potential advertiser hears it — listening to the radio! — we have a really good shot at getting them to sign up. After all, it got results for them as a listener … which was the whole point.
And I loved those red hot radios. These days, it probably would be a red smartphone.
Lots of folks from RAB read JacoBLOG. Sometimes, what’s old is new again, K.M.
And then there’s “1-877 Kars For Kids”
OY.
I started at WBIS, Bristol CT in the summer of ’66 and the 500 watt day-timer had no cart machines. It was also way pre internet. And, FM was for background music. Much has changed in our world….healthcare, technology, information, sports, entertainment and music. The spoken word has always existed. Radio spawned movie soundtracks, personality, essential news coverage, television and digital sound. Radio is also a lifetime & educational experience. The hits just keep on comin.’ And, it’s up to broadcasters now and future to keep radio connections, content and service at a “10”! 1220watx.com restarted with a high wire above a dynamite shack at at a CT goat yoga farm….you can hear it anywhere.
A “10” is the goal.
Give yourself a 1 if your station promo vehicle is still a giant boombox, towed to the event by the CE’s pickup truck.
Ugh. Those were hideous when they were new.
A car stereo shop down the road from me had one of those in their parking lot for years. Not anymore though.
10s abound when the boys of summer play on radio.
Ernie Harwell, Bob Elson, Red Barber, Bob Uecker, Pat Hughes, Marty Brenneman, John Rooney, Jon Miller, Vin Scully, Jack Buck, Harry Carry…to name a few.