AM Radio No Longer Has Time On Its Side

AM radio, the senior broadcast band, no longer has the luxury of time to correct its problems, if those problems can be corrected at all. This week there’s an assembly of “radio people” in Atlanta.  The annual NAB/RAB Fall Radio Show, where station owners get to have free drinks on the vendors gathered trying to…

Idea? “Local” Morning News from Another City. Brilliant!

I’m sure you’ve read the media trades where consultants and experts say listeners, viewers and readers want authenticity, they want “real.” The unbelievable claims of being “the best” or “the most” doesn’t cut it with media savvy consumers anymore. But, radio? It just keeps on keeping on, ignoring consumer needs, wants and demands and continues…

There’s “Excitement” Over Limbaugh’s New Stations

A number of people seem to be “excited” about Rush Limbaugh’s new radio homes in Indianapolis and Boston.  I just don’t believe Rush is. In Indianapolis, the heritage news/talk radio station is WIBC.  Most radio geeks, me included, remember the bigger than life top-of-the-hour ID voiced by Chuck Riley. “Radio Indiana. (sfx) W-I-B-C Indianapolis.”  …

The Business of Being Rush Limbaugh

After news broke about the Rush Limbaugh Show getting kicked to the curb by WRKO-AM in Boston, Nielsen radio market #10, I received about a dozen emails asking when I was going to comment.  So, here goes. First, understand the “business of business is business” and the “business of money is money.”  And it’s money…

Radio’s PPM “Voltair is not fair!” Or is it?

I’ve been reading a lot about the Telos/25-7 Systems’ Voltair “black box” that some claim gives an unfair advantage to radio stations trying to game Nielsen’s PPM methodology.  The box allegedly increases the chances the embedded PPM “watermark” on a station’s signal will be detected on a panelist’s meter. Is the Voltair unfair?  I guess…

AM Radio Put on Death Row with IHM Tower Sale – Something No One is Talking About

Mark Twain, the legendary American writer and humorist said, “Buy land, they’re not making anymore.” History has shown the wealthiest in the world today and throughout history gained significant wealth by acquiring land. The world’s royalty have wealth because of large land holdings.  Many commoners today and in history gained and held their wealth through…

Net Neutrality – What It Means to You

The following is a repost of a column I recently wrote for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber  Click Here for their latest newsletter. You’re to think of the recent “net neutrality” ruling as freedom through regulation. The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, a government regulatory agency regulated and regulators, as you know, will regulate. Yes.…

700WLW’s Jim Scott Says Goodbye

Days before Jim Scott announced his retirement my telephone rang.  On the other end of the telephone was that friendly and commanding voice.  “Darryl!  It’s Jim Scott!”  That’s the way his calls always began.  He called to tell me he was retiring and wanted me to know before I found out through others.  We spoke…

Rush Limbaugh’s Fall Into Oblivion

In reality I’m a humble sort and “not that kind of guy.”  So… Today’s talk radio, as we know it, is fast fading into the sunset because of a format stuck with 1990’s rhetoric, each day addressing topics few care about.  A constant right-wing political drumbeat that no longer resonates.  A format where its practitioners…

Talk Radio – Becoming the Weekend Laxative for Octogenarians

I’m in my mid 50’s and I used to laugh when people said it sucks getting old.  It does!  Stiffies aren’t as stiff.  You’re up 5 and 6 times a night to pee.  And “regular” is no longer “regular,” if you know what I mean. Spending time in the privacy of the privy gives one…