FIRST WE TAKE ON SATELLITE
I don't know about you, but it seems to me, that since Sirius merged
with XM the programming has gotten worse. Now I realize that this
doesn't make any sense -- but here are some examples of how their
purity of niche channels has apparently been polluted by unknowing
programmers (probably consultants who don't even listen to music in
their spare time).
I've noticed that Classic Vinyl, Deep Tracks and Classic Rewind are starting to sound like Classic Rock FMs with heavy rotation of a core artist group with a few gems occasionally thrown in to discredit critics like me. Now I might expect this from Pat St. John, but certainly not Tearson or Bailey.
The 60s (oldies) channel is mixing in Dylan and psychedelic tracks
with AM pop. Which most programmers know is blasphemy since you were
either into progressive rock or folk rock or pop rock; but rarely all
three -- or even two -- at the same time. The idea of a formatted
station is to appeal to a listener group that enjoys the music and
wants to listen every chance they get. --Hell, the only channel you
can count on for consistency is E-Street...
LOCAL RADIO & GOBBLEDEGROUPS
Whether you're talking about the national media giants or regional
monopolies, over-the-air broadcasting is a big business where return
on investment dictates programming, rather than good music,
increasing ratings and profitability. What's
the difference you ask? Since the profit motive is not based on
popularity or the listener, there is little incentive for the station
to invest in programming. Like any corporation, radio companies
follow a business plan that looks good on paper to
their investors and clients. The problem is, they leave out the
interests of their listeners -- who the clients (advertisers) are
interested in reaching in the first place. In the end, it becomes a
game of constantly proving to the advertisers that a station is
popular, so the advertiser keeps shoveling out money. But as most of
us know, the most profitable local stations pretty much suck; and the
only reason people listen at all, is because there's nothing else
available.
So what? Well... if Sirius doesn't get it's act together, people will drop the service; and, if small stations in the market start to program better (and I mean really better) -- David can beat Goliath. And, by the way, if you're interested, count me in. However, there's a good possibility that nothing's going to change anytime soon.