When they refer to "drive time" or, worse still, just "drive" or some other silly phrase they've invented to segment their listeners for market research purposes. I don't want to be in on their games.
@popicon, do we have proper local commercial radio now? I used to love Capital when I was a kid but it's just so repetitive with music tightly controlled and DJs who aren't allowed to think. Heart taking over Invicta, networked shows... I needn't go on.
Local radio used to represent its community, now it's controlled from an office in central London and represents the advertisers interests.
No stations are perfect but I do applaud the BBC for their output.
The playlists on commercial radio are terribly bad culturally, force-feeding people the same old thing, not taking any risks until a record (normally broken on the bbc or the Internet) becomes popular.
Commercial stations can be good, I thought Melody was good when it started, played a bit of old stuff that I'd never heard of but after a while became too regulated and then turned into Magic. Also XFM was great until Capital got their mits on it.
It must be that commercial stations do not think that they can survive or that they can increase profits by repeating the same songs all the time. They must have focus groups so we can only assume that the British public are getting what they want?
@EastTerrace I have to say that there are decent stations out there, Caroline, Solar for example but the mainstream is so tightly controlled. fair play to Auntie as well, Radio 2 has some real diverse stuff on it, just can't stand Evans but Ken Bruce is a genius though.
I suspect focus groups are made up of TOWIE loving individuals who really don't know what they want.
You are right Dave, the commercial radio companies have all but killed local radio in the UK.....sad times.
What do you think you are missing out on? I'd be interested know how you think commercial radio has killed local radio.
I should have worded it that I think the big radio groups have all but killed local commercial radio....
And by that I mean how can Capital, Heart and Kiss.....arguably Londons 3 biggest stations now offer so little London-centric output.
Capital WAS London but now with its shared programming across the country you are more likely to hear about Rihanna's new haircut rather than a free concert on the South bank or whatever.
Personally I think a city like London with 7 million people deserves better.
This is repeated across the country.....great former local stations such as Invicta in Kent are now just a franchise output for the Heart brand with the least local content possible.
Specialist programming and overnight DJ's have all but vanished everywhere.
Although I'm pushing the 'upper age' limit I love Radio 1, mainly because they are not sounding like every other 'hits' station in the UK....managing to bring personality and new music together.
Please give me your thoughts Popicon, I love radio so always interested to hear others opinion.
@popicon, do we have proper local commercial radio now? I used to love Capital when I was a kid but it's just so repetitive with music tightly controlled and DJs who aren't allowed to think. Heart taking over Invicta, networked shows... I needn't go on.
Local radio used to represent its community, now it's controlled from an office in central London and represents the advertisers interests.
It's a complete misconception that local radio is dead, there are now more community radio licences than ever. Outside of London commercial radio still has a very local feel too, add to that the 40+ regional BBC stations, people really are spoilt for choice. Unfortunately London is an exception with Global Radio owning pretty much everything, LBC, Capital, Heart & XFM.
I cannot stand Capital and avoid it at all costs, but in its current model it's a very successful business, with over 2 million listeners, four times as many as BBC London.
If you're not a fan of Capital or any of Globals other formulated stations and don't own a DAB, check out what community stations exist locally to you. Don't be put of, some are very, very good.
"Outside of London commercial radio still has a very local feel too", does it really though?
Take out the adverts for the local garden center and from what I've heard there isn't much else. So many local independents are now part of groups and automation or syndication seem to dominate.
I've done the big station stuff working for Global (G-cap) and started out way back on community stations so know they can provide a very localised service but still can't see them replacing fully what the local heritage stations used to offer...there just isn't the funding or marketing to make them big players (even in small towns).
Comments
Fearne Cotton and Scott Mills also do my head in
Stan 08717 223344
Alan Green
Personally like Moyles and Richard Bacon
If anyone fancies a giggle listen to Hamish and Andy podcasts. Two Aussies but they are such a good pairing. Great comedy timing and very entertajning
I'd be interested know how you think commercial radio has killed local radio.
Ray Houghton
Ronnie irani
Christ - most of TalkSHite actually
Local radio used to represent its community, now it's controlled from an office in central London and represents the advertisers interests.
The playlists on commercial radio are terribly bad culturally, force-feeding people the same old thing, not taking any risks until a record (normally broken on the bbc or the Internet) becomes popular.
Commercial stations can be good, I thought Melody was good when it started, played a bit of old stuff that I'd never heard of but after a while became too regulated and then turned into Magic.
Also XFM was great until Capital got their mits on it.
It must be that commercial stations do not think that they can survive or that they can increase profits by repeating the same songs all the time. They must have focus groups so we can only assume that the British public are getting what they want?
I suspect focus groups are made up of TOWIE loving individuals who really don't know what they want.
Oh and that 5 live 'debate' thingy each morning which I always switch off at the first interuption from the 'opposition'.
And by that I mean how can Capital, Heart and Kiss.....arguably Londons 3 biggest stations now offer so little London-centric output.
Capital WAS London but now with its shared programming across the country you are more likely to hear about Rihanna's new haircut rather than a free concert on the South bank or whatever.
Personally I think a city like London with 7 million people deserves better.
This is repeated across the country.....great former local stations such as Invicta in Kent are now just a franchise output for the Heart brand with the least local content possible.
Specialist programming and overnight DJ's have all but vanished everywhere.
Although I'm pushing the 'upper age' limit I love Radio 1, mainly because they are not sounding like every other 'hits' station in the UK....managing to bring personality and new music together.
Please give me your thoughts Popicon, I love radio so always interested to hear others opinion.
Love the radio though and a bit addicted to buying DABs at the mo.
I cannot stand Capital and avoid it at all costs, but in its current model it's a very successful business, with over 2 million listeners, four times as many as BBC London.
If you're not a fan of Capital or any of Globals other formulated stations and don't own a DAB, check out what community stations exist locally to you.
Don't be put of, some are very, very good.
I just can't help it.
"Outside of London commercial radio still has a very local feel too", does it really though?
Take out the adverts for the local garden center and from what I've heard there isn't much else. So many local independents are now part of groups and automation or syndication seem to dominate.
I've done the big station stuff working for Global (G-cap) and started out way back on community stations so know they can provide a very localised service but still can't see them replacing fully what the local heritage stations used to offer...there just isn't the funding or marketing to make them big players (even in small towns).