PDA

View Full Version : Stations should take Anoraks seriously


Euan Roberts
30th July 2002, 00:25
The question that needs to be asked is why don’t radio stations bosses and the staff that work in these places take our posts seriously? The reason I think is they are pretty certain that most people that write these posts are too attached to the whole concept of radio and so we are not safe bets if radio stations are going to make major changes to their schedule or programming structure. They regard the person with little or no interest in radio to be their Guiney pigs in Auditorium projects, Focus Groups, Market Research. Fair enough, these people can help to a degree, but they should not depend on these sources exclusively for changes that will be made within the radio station.

The interesting thing is we probably know a little more about radio is some areas than some of these so-called radio experts in these stations and that we should be running these operations by right. I say, the shame on them to disregard our views and posts. Most people that are members or guests of this website are very experienced individuals that have worked in radio most of their lives. Surely, it’s in their best interests to read and listen to all our views whether that is from Radio Anoraks. Program Director and Head of Music, Focus groups, Telephone and audience research whether these stations do that internally or externally.

I know for a fact that radio industry people read most of these posts from time to time depending of course if the topic is of particular importance to them. They don’t seem to act upon any of our suggestions ever. That is a disgrace. Yes we are active listeners but in a strange way we are an outside source for these stations, we listen and judge most of the time offering our constructive criticisms if that arises, which it does from time to time. In addition, we can often detect if a station is falling down in musical content, quality of Presentation, News Output, Segues and mixing, Sound Quality and transmission. All these areas make a radio station. Yes the Program Director and Station Manager does that for a radio station, we just sometimes notice other errors or changes that a station could make. Then again it’s up to them.

The difference with the passive listener is they aren’t for obvious reasons listening out for all the little errors everyday. We are when we're not working and they don’t seem to care too much. I’ll let all these radio station bosses into a little secret and that is they should start to take some of our views and comments from all our posts very seriously. We are not a bunch of amateurs having a joke or a laugh at these radio stations. We are all passionate about this medium and radio stations and they need to wake up to that fact. We can make an impact on improving their radio stations in some small way just as much as their Program Director and Station Manager, Focus groups, Audience, research polls, or Auditoriums can all contribute to a better radio station at the end of the day. It’s their loss if they choose to ignore our views.

Any views on this subject?

Euan Roberts

Katy Lied
30th July 2002, 09:14
Is this not the same topic you broached on July 7th?

Byee

Anto Fagan
30th July 2002, 11:32
So Euan,
let's say Liam Thompson, John Taylor and Dave Kelly listen and put some of your theorys into practice and put a Steely Dan song on a Hot A or B list...what do you think 104 and Spin's 15-34 year olds will do??? Switch off within 5 seconds you plonker!

I'd love to see you in a programme director capacity, I think your station would have a shorter life than Dublin's Country!!

vinylpusher
30th July 2002, 11:49
It's fairly difficult for someone in a PD role to take a lot of the comments on this board seriously, especially that for so long many have seen it as a "bitch board".
Thanks to tremendous efforts of John & team, Radiowaves is starting to shake off that tag.

There are still many posters who have yet to contribute in a manner that's constructive, mature and doesn't rant on, and it's those posters who ruin the credibility of everyone elses contributions.
Until everyone can contribute in such a manner, then I can't see any PD taking too much notice.

silly billy
30th July 2002, 13:47
apart from the bitching that goes on, there are so many confilcting opinions that they'd be making change every day of the week.
I would presume that the PDs have been hired to do what they do because they're capable of making these decisions on their own! I'm sure they do read these messages and take them on board, but they're not going to change the way the run things, soley based on the opinion of some people here that don't know the background details of stations and their long-term goals.

Removed Member
30th July 2002, 14:25
Euan says:"Stations should take Anoraks seriously"

Onthebutton says: Stations DO take anoraks seriously! - by the very fact that everyone who is involved in radio is an anorak!

And it's always been a constant mystery to me what the term "anorak" means! - somebody I know is extremely enthusiastic about Steam Engines and Steam Trains and I would term them as a Steam Engine Anorak, Other people I know can wax lyrically hour on hour and in great detail about Motor Cars and Car engines (e.g. 150 BHP at X amount of RPM and foot/lbs of torque and 0-60 in so many secs.) and there are girls I know who can speak for an entire night about beauty products/clothes etc. - they are all experts in their respective fields.

With people like yourself Euan it's hit and miss imho - your quite biased in some ways towards certain people - and your negative comments are most probably noted,laughed at and filed in the section of the PC under "T" - for Trash Can LOL!

Like for example your digs at da gents over@ Lite I have seen before and commented on - but gave up trying to reason with you after you when you completely failed to see the merits of voicetracking! - and no matter how you moaned AND MOANED...

THEY STILL VOICETRACK!! - Fair play to them - they are anoraks who know HOW TO MAKE MONEY!

stayin alive
30th July 2002, 14:42
ill try not to make this sound like a personal attack on euan roberts but as far as station bosses are concerned ,it's a message board for people who enjoy talking about the industry and not a quick fix option for stations struggling with figures .
if you claim to know so much about the buisness euan then why dont you approach these people yourself and offer your services instead of ranting on about your so called knowledge on this board........
bye ....

Mike
30th July 2002, 18:23
Stations do take anoraraks seriously. After all they employ a lot of them (although I wouldnt go so far to class EVERYONE who works in radio as an anorak) But lets get over a few stereotypes here Not all anoraks are into steely dan and most anoraks realise that theyre unlikely to get very far producing programmes that cater solely for other anoraks.

Ive only read a few of Euan's posts but I dont understand why he gets singled out for so much bitching. Sure some of his questions may come across as showing a bit of naivity or inexperience but surely true anoraks should be encouraging newcomers and not adapting a cliquish know it all attitude ?

The Doc
10th February 2009, 16:05
BUMP

Time to pose this question again.

Sharp22
10th February 2009, 18:13
Why? The suggestion was pretty much dismissed as nonsense 7 years ago. I don't think feelings will have changed.

Anon101
10th February 2009, 19:56
Maybe stations don't take notice of the anoraks cos they take to much notice of themselves? Just a thought!

radiofan
10th February 2009, 20:05
Very interesting. Firstly I'm not interested in bashing the OP. That's just pointless and rude and should have no place on these excellent radio boards.

However the original premise is interesting.

Many of us radio lovers, love radio, and listen in dept to the changes, similarities, music choices, presentation styles etc etc etc.....

Some of us have been lucky enough in the past to have a small amount of radio experience. The reality is that some of us work in other areas, areas we love working in, or have to work in. These are away from radio.

But our experience in working for employers, running our own business, or management of our own areas, combined with our love of radio could be financially rewarding to radio management. On a part time basis if nothing else.

We under rate ourselves as anoraks sometimes.

Just my two cents worth.

mattbrat24
10th February 2009, 23:13
I agree, radio anoraks could prove damn useful for a station. I think many stations would take notice, as long as the anoraks don't suddenly think that they know better. I am sure there are those that do, although most of us would just be happy to have our creative input valued :)

matt ;)

QtheHighlander?
11th February 2009, 00:57
Anorak the word needs to be sub divided into less geeky underworlds.

QtheHighlander?
11th February 2009, 00:58
For Example:

QtheHighlander?
11th February 2009, 00:59
.....still thinking

QtheHighlander?
11th February 2009, 00:59
........................no.....nothinn'

QtheHighlander?
11th February 2009, 01:01
................................Yup still a radio lover!

count mobi
11th February 2009, 21:17
Anoraks care about radio too much. The average listener doesn't spot the things anoraks do. The average listener just sees the any in the corner as a method of entertainment.