Tag Archives: radio

Less Clutter On The Air

At last, somebody in the commercial radio business has noted that one of the biggest reasons to turn off isn’t poor music policy, crap jokes or bad station identity – it’s annoying and repetitive radio commercials. Somebody in the UK should take on board the Clear Channel approach of trying to make better radio ads and broadcast fewer of them:

Radio is the most difficult medium because there are fewer senses to work with. For the most part, radio ads are a yawn [source].

With online catching up to radio in terms of advertising spend (Britain’s Online advertising market will surpass the £500-million mark this year – Independent Online), radio’s revenues may be in for a rocky time. In the UK, the online industry may well surpass radio during the next 12 months, so it’s important that the industry wakes up and does something to ensure that the recent history of growth and development can be sustained.

On this day…

2005: links for 2005-10-15
2002: Shapes Made By Radio Waves

Summer Music

This has certainly been a long, hot summer. I have thoroughly enjoyed the ability to sit outside in my garden and enjoy pleasant summer evenings and baking weekend afternoons. Despite the fact that I have been unable to keep the garden in check (and it’s looking desperately in need of a makeover), it’s been wonderful.

At the start of the summer, I invested in a Pure Evoke 1 digital radio. The sheer range of stations is fantastic, and I, for one, welcome the introduction of Digital Radio to the UK. The irony of the purchase is that I’ve spent most of the evenings listening to the relaxed sounds of Jazz FM (which is perfectly clear across London on a regular radio set). At least my second favourite (and superb on summer Sunday afternoons) is The Groove, which is only available on DAB in London and on the web.

On this day…

2005: Let’s Google Talk
2004: The Hottest State
2004: Get Yer Kit Off …
2002: Around The World

LBC Back On Air

This morning, London’s news and talk station, LBC, came back on air. Of course, LBC is not really new, nor has it really been away. The Chrysalis Radio Group have acquired the London speech licences from London News Radio and is continuing to use the LBC name (LBC being the original London commercial news station).

Sadly, despite the name’s heritage of almost thirty years, day one seemed a bit shambolic. The most noticeable and irritating part for me is the constant paper shuffling that goes on when the presenters are on air. I suspect that, back when the news talk version was on AM, this wasn’t very audible. Now, it’s irritating. Then there are presenters whispering to each other but still clearly there. It’s as if there is no off button on the microphones. This evening, there seems to be no off button on the computers that play the commercials, as poor Clive Bull seems to be suffering because the advertisements keep starting, and he seems blissfully unaware that they are about to play.

Still, I am pleased that the rolling news format has moved to AM. Not because it’s on AM but because it means most of my portable radios (which are FM-only) have the more interesting of the two talk stations. These early teething troubles will, hopefully, be rectified and we’ll have a decent commercial talk station for London again (although, IMHO, BBC London seems to have been doing a fine job). I just wonder who is going to listen to the rolling news on AM.

On this day…

2006: Who Are You?
2004: Same Sex Partnerships in 2004
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