Kim's Blog

The Quality of Content: What’s Going to Happen to Rock and Roll?

[This is part three of a continuing series in response to an article by Stephen King.]

Stephen King laments the loss of the radio personality in his column in Entertainment Weekly. There was a time when trust was a key component of the DJ and the listener. The listeners trusted they were going to hear exclusive, first run music and that it was chosen for “their” taste and not a mainstream audience.

Except, I am not sure I was exposed to that in my lifetime.  When I was younger, I taped music from the radio. When CDs came out, it was an exciting time that allowed for easier sharing of music and creating of mixes (my favorite thing to do). I’m still actually often requested to make mixes for holidays, road trips, birthday presents and more. I just compile the music—the content—differently.

So what’s wrong with radio?  Why will this go the way of network television?

Radio stations are run by bottom lines and numbers. It’s a business. And with the loss in revenues comes cost saving and bean counter decision making. This leads us to less music, more ads, firing of expensive personalities and marketing efforts that feel too polished, too sales oriented. In turn, people are learning to tune out—literally. I can say I am one of them. If I have to listen to the radio, I turn to talk.  I have to say, as depressing as this sounds, I will choose a sports program over all the talking heads any day. Sometimes though I have to listen to talk radio to keep me awake (yes, 3 children and running a business leave me tired some days!). If I do listen, I leave the car feeling emotional—angry, confused, manipulated, and cynical. It’s tough to know what the “truth” is and who is behind the “spin.”

I miss great DJs too. But there are still some personalities out there that give me hope.  Eric and Kathy are pretty good in the AM here in Chicago, Roe Conn is diverse and funny too. I miss one awesome host—Steve Dahl. For Steve’s content, I go to his private page since he’s not on the traditional radio currently.  He has podcasts and a blog—what seems to be the “new” radio!

The thing is that I have no problem with advertising.  I get the model and I appreciate the ROI, but I cannot stand switching the dial to find the same commercial playing on 2 or 3 stations simultaneously.  Argghhh! It completely turns me off.  In my opinion, if you want listeners to stay, find creative ways for advertisers to participate. I think some of this is going on but not enough to make the pain go away.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how much this is all causing me not to listen to radio. Instead I’m using iPod downloads and applications like Pandora, NPR’s playlist of podcasts and Sirius satellite radio. I’m rarely a consumer of traditional radio advertising. Similarly to network TV (another post to come on that topic), if the radio streamed quality content on it without the annoyance of advertising, I would listen more.

It seems like this business model might be on its way out, but quality content will always be in demand. We just have to demand it. Our voices are being heard as radio stations numbers can attest. Lamenting a lost art is one thing, lamenting a lost business model is another. Changing our habits based on the technologies presented to us is not necessarily a bad thing. It is the future and embracing these technologies gives us a chance to share, listen and interact in new ways.

Speaking of good content, let’s talk movies next week…..