The Talk Radio Ratings Disaster

7-17-14

Showing a picture of the Titanic going down, former Clear Channel Executive Daryl Parks offers up his candid opinion on why he believes the Talk Radio format is disintegrating before our very eyes. Parks has become a very vocal blogger about the radio industry, and specifically talk radio, since leaving the employment of corporate radio. In his latest he says, "The diary markets coming in are bringing little joy. And many in the talk radio industry just sit back and continue on autopilot with the same hard line conservative narrative hour after hour, ignoring the cultural disconnect that?s happened between the format and society as the once unsinkable Titanic of radio formats begins to slip below water." And, he explains the role the General Manager and PD are playing in the talk radio problem.

Candidly, Parks says, the program director of today has no say in programming decisions. "Corporations don?t want a market PD with thoughts, ideas or any clue on how to correct talk radio?s problems.  They don?t get a vote.  Many of today?s talk radio PD?s are glorified board ops, never being taught and mentored in programming, coaching talent or strategic planning.  Many have no on-air experience. They are facilitators and are rewarded for nodding along with the status quo and punished for speaking out.  They know it?s best to keep their mouths shut in order to live another day and survive the next round of RIF?s."
And, he adds, many GM's are simply facilitators. "The ones that dare defend a talk station?s unique place and heritage in their market are viewed as troublemakers.  They are given unreasonable budget demands from corporate owners which handcuff them. They have no control to increase staffs even when it makes good business sense due to competitive situations and improving economies.  They also have no control in decreasing staffs. They are told to RIF associates even when it may damage the operations they are ultimately held responsible for.  ?We make the decisions, you?re responsible.? Doesn?t seem right, does it?"

Read the entire Daryl Parks blog HERE and leave your thoughts below.

(7/17/2014 7:52:24 AM)
Most of the national hosts are one trick ponies and are very predictable. Those traits have spread to many local hosts as well. Lack of depth along with predictability are what most sharp PD's of the rock radio era tried to eliminate from their stations. Today's sharp PD's still should. In my opinion, talk radio is responsible for destroying the listener credibility radio used to enjoy. So much dis and mis information - no better than social media. I can't say I'd be sorry to see it pass.

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The FCC's How to Behave During a Disaster Top Ten List

The FCC and FEMA have released new tips for consumers aimed at preparing them for major disasters when communications networks are more likely to be compromised or damaged. Listening to radio comes in at number 7, despite the FCC consistently poniting out how unreliable cell service is.

Today's joint letter said "Consumers with questions about their particular mobile phone devices should contact their wireless provide or equipment manufacturer." Although it does not tell consumers how to contact their provider when disaster strikes and their phone doesn't work.

Without further ado...here is the governments Top Ten List during a disaster:

1. If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1. Remember that you cannot currently text 9-1-1.  If you are not experiencing an emergency, do not call 9-1-1.  If your area offers 3-1-1 service or another information system, call that number for non-emergencies.
2. For non-emergency communications, use text messaging, e-mail, or social media instead of making voice calls on your cell phone to avoid tying up voice networks.  Data-based services like texts and emails are less likely to experience network congestion. You can also use social media to post your status to let family and friends know you are okay.  In addition to Facebook and Twitter, you can use resources such as the American Red Cross?s Safe and Well program (www.redcross.org/safeandwell).
3. Keep all phone calls brief. If you need to use a phone, try to convey only vital information to emergency personnel and/or family.
4. If you are unsuccessful in completing a call using your cell phone, wait ten seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion. 
5. Conserve your cell phone battery by reducing the brightness of your screen, placing your phone in airplane mode, and closing apps you are not using that draw power, unless you need to use the phone.
6. If you lose power, you can charge your cell phone in your car. Just be sure your car is in a well-ventilated place (remove it from the garage) and do not go to your car until any danger has passed.  You can also listen to your car radio for important news alerts. 
7. Tune into broadcast television and radio for important news alerts.  If applicable, be sure that you know how to activate the closed captioning or video description on your television.
8. If you do not have a hands-free device in your car, stop driving or pull over to the side of the road before making a call.  Do not text on a cell phone, talk, or ?tweet? without a hands free device while driving.   
9. Immediately following a disaster, resist using your mobile device to watch streaming videos, download music or videos, or play video games, all of which can add to network congestion. Limiting use of these services can help potentially life-saving emergency calls get through to 9-1-1.
10. Check www.ready.gov regularly to find other helpful tips for preparing for disasters and other emergencies. 

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Harris Assists WXXC-FM in Disaster Recovery

Every once in a while we like to pat one of our advertisers on the back and say nice job. They are out there making things happen just like managers, salespeople and program directors inside a radio station. This is one of those stories. Harris also happens to be a vendor that has been serving the radio industry for a very long time. WXXC-FM in Indiana came calling after an electrical storm and years of weather brutality took its toll on a very old  transmitter. Harris was there to take care of business.

The station decided to stop spending money on repairs and shop for a new transmitter.  WXXC GM Race Ashyn said ?We had a 30-year old transmitter that had been costing a ton to maintain and repair, and it was hard to find parts. We discovered there had been arching in the plate power supply that gradually blew a gunshot-sized hole through one of the transformer sections.  That was the last straw.?

WXXC remained on air during the transition, first running on reduced power from its backup tower with a seasoned 10kW 1968 Gates transmitter.   This worked well until lightning struck a second time ? a direct hit to the antenna.   WXXC engineers revived the main transmitter to broadcast at 350 watts, giving the station enough power to cover the market until the Harris transmitter arrived. The HPX30, outfitted with a Harris DigitCD exciter, arrived soon after.  The station returned to full power (50KW) on Sunday, July 17 at 1:30pm, transmitting at 27.5 kW TPO. ?I am a fan of Harris, and have had very good luck with their transmitters over the years,? said Ashlyn.  ?Harris transmitters are designed well, and the HPX30 is especially efficient as it only requires two cabinets as opposed to the usual three for a transmitter of this size.?

If you have a success story about a vendor, we'd love to hear about it. Send it in to edryan@radioink.com

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