What are the most ridiculous formats you've ever heard any radio station have?
In the mid-'90s, an AM station in Cincinnati did something called "retro radio", which was traditional pop standards sung only by modern artists. They might play Phil Collins or Rod Stewart singing some old song that was big in the 1930s.
For a whole year back in 1988-89, WCVG had an all-Elvis format. It wasn't just a stunt. That was a permanent format at the time. I know Elvis was a legend, but he got a whole station for a whole year!
Later I read that there was a station in Alaska that played only whale sounds. I also read that there was a station somewhere that played nothing but rap music with a preacher loudly preaching over it.
We have a radio station here in Jackson that tends to change formats every few months. It started out about a couple of years ago playing Neil Diamond's "Cherry Cherry" , then played "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke, followed by a few months of the live version of "Hotel California" , followed by a few months of R&B oldies, then an adult mix of music, and now to their current hard rock format. I'm gonna guess they'll be country before the end of the summer.
Columbus had an all Disco station for a year or two in the late '90s. Just '70s American Disco -- nothing else even remotely related like funk, post-Disco, pop, R&B etc.
In addition to the all-Elvis station, I believe for awhile there was an all-Beatles station. That at least gave you the option of the group songs, the solo careers of the four members, and some remakes by some other artists.
One of the craziest formats on a serious side back in the 80's was the "It's Hot" format. We in radio had a lot of snide comments for that format. Basically all they did was play Billboard's top 50. The top 10 would be played like every two hours or so. It might be hot, but it got old real fast.
Quote from: bandit957 on June 22, 2019, 12:44:25 AM
What are the most ridiculous formats you've ever heard any radio station have?
Conservative talk radio.
<rimshot>
One station in Tampa would always knock their competitor Thunder FM for playing wimpy songs. Because both were rock at the time one station called The Bone, had a program director who disagreed with Thunder's playlist and defined the term "Wimpy" to their format. This person thought that it had to be hard or better as Thunder played anything popular that was classic rock. However, one day I caught The Bone playing one of the wimpy Thunder songs and wrote an email to him.
At least he admitted that I caught him playing a wimpy song as he wrote back "So you caught me."
Quote from: Life in Paradise on June 24, 2019, 08:46:31 AM
One of the craziest formats on a serious side back in the 80's was the "It's Hot" format. We in radio had a lot of snide comments for that format. Basically all they did was play Billboard's top 50. The top 10 would be played like every two hours or so. It might be hot, but it got old real fast.
That's basically what CHR radio is now. :colorful:
Pretty much anything religiously oriented. CCM is an awful form of music. When I lived in the Chicago area, and I believed in the whole religion thing, there was a station, which I believe was affiliated with one of the religious colleges there, which would play Christian rock, but then they had a specific time period dedicated to Christian rap.
We had a radio station in Chicago at one time that played a mix of oldies with new stuff. Their format was, for example, like Tom Petty, followed by Frank Sinatra, followed by Panic! At the Disco. I actually loved the format, as it introduced me to rat-pack era and modern era stuff that I never would have given a shot.
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 09:27:54 AM
We had a radio station in Chicago at one time that played a mix of oldies with new stuff. Their format was, for example, like Tom Petty, followed by Frank Sinatra, followed by Panic! At the Disco. I actually loved the format, as it introduced me to rat-pack era and modern era stuff that I never would have given a shot.
This would actually be workable. I sort my MP3 collection so it mimics a variegated format like this.
Quote from: bandit957 on June 25, 2019, 09:32:08 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 09:27:54 AM
We had a radio station in Chicago at one time that played a mix of oldies with new stuff. Their format was, for example, like Tom Petty, followed by Frank Sinatra, followed by Panic! At the Disco. I actually loved the format, as it introduced me to rat-pack era and modern era stuff that I never would have given a shot.
This would actually be workable. I sort my MP3 collection so it mimics a variegated format like this.
Every night at 9 PM, they had a hour where listeners presented their 9 favorite songs. I actually got on once.
I can't remember all of them, but I recall
-She Blinded Me With Science / Thomas Dolby
-Steppin' Out / Joe Jackson
-We're Not Gonna Take It / Twisted Sister
When I was in high school or college in the early '90s, I read about a station in Hawaii that based their playlist on ballots submitted by listeners, and played all kinds of music. Listeners could also vote for songs they didn't want to hear, and these votes were subtracted from the song's vote totals.
This sounded like a great station, but I never got to hear it, because I've never been to Hawaii.
There is a definition of terms needed. Does "rediculous" mean:
- People that say or do things I don't approve of. (conservative talk radio, religion, etc.)
- A "stunt", which is a short term format that draws attention to a coming format change (all-Elvis, all-Manalow, all-whatever).
or
- An actual legitimate format that somebody actually thought was a good idea, but which does not work in that market?
To me, it is the third of those. In the age of automation and common ownership of multiple stations, this can mean lots of things. I have heard Spanish, "urban" (black), Catholic, Jewish, classic country, and other such formats in places where the demographics just don't work. Some station owner just has 5 or 10 stations and tosses up such a format on his weakest stick without even trying. Another bad format is just to not try, if there are two country stations and you are #3, TRY SOMETHING ELSE, the market is saturated for country. Same with rock or whatever.
Leaving those aside, the worst format to me is no format. We have a station, one of the best signals in town, that is currently "Tailgate radio" which is just a random mix of songs across all genres. Pointless.
Quote from: SP Cook on June 25, 2019, 11:11:38 AM
- An actual legitimate format that somebody actually thought was a good idea, but which does not work in that market?
This is what I meant. The all-Elvis station here was actually designed as a permanent format, not just a stunt.
But it was replaced with another ridiculous format: business news. Even in a Big Business city like Cincinnati, it got no listeners. They should have brung back CLU 132!
For music stations, I like to have a real variety.
Quote from: bandit957 on June 25, 2019, 11:18:49 AM
This is what I meant. The all-Elvis station here was actually designed as a permanent format, not just a stunt.
But it was replaced with another ridiculous format: business news. Even in a Big Business city like Cincinnati, it got no listeners.
I do not understand business news as a format. On a solid AM daytime station, with a full-time FM repeater. Carrying the Bloomburg radio format, which is just somebody reading the stock prices and a few commentators. Anybody who is that deep into the stock market has access to the internet, and probably CNBC and the Fox Business Network, and probably Bloomburg's own TV channel, even at work. Again, just a station owner with maybe half the stations in town, tossing up something to take up space rather than trying.
Quote from: triplemultiplex on June 24, 2019, 11:12:45 PM
Quote from: bandit957 on June 22, 2019, 12:44:25 AM
What are the most ridiculous formats you've ever heard any radio station have?
Conservative talk radio.
<rimshot>
You almost got it right. Liberal talk radio has always been a huge failure. Air America went nowhere. (What was the name of the female talk host who was supposed to be the left's version of Rush Limbaugh, who famously flopped? I've forgotten her name.) The late Alan Colmes' show was not well-received.
All I remember about Air America is that they fired one of their best hosts because she disagreed with a conservative. Air America was hardly liberal.
Quote from: hbelkins on June 25, 2019, 12:11:08 PM
You almost got it right. Liberal talk radio has always been a huge failure. Air America went nowhere. (What was the name of the female talk host who was supposed to be the left's version of Rush Limbaugh, who famously flopped? I've forgotten her name.) The late Alan Colmes' show was not well-received.
Problem with Air America was how they went about starting the network. They should have started smaller - a few syndicated shows here and there, vs. starting a whole network. Lower startup costs.
Quote from: Verlanka on June 25, 2019, 05:24:41 AM
Quote from: Life in Paradise on June 24, 2019, 08:46:31 AM
One of the craziest formats on a serious side back in the 80's was the "It's Hot" format. We in radio had a lot of snide comments for that format. Basically all they did was play Billboard's top 50. The top 10 would be played like every two hours or so. It might be hot, but it got old real fast.
That's basically what CHR radio is now. :colorful:
Indeed, this is quite true.
Quote from: DandyDan on June 25, 2019, 05:50:50 AM
Pretty much anything religiously oriented. CCM is an awful form of music. When I lived in the Chicago area, and I believed in the whole religion thing, there was a station, which I believe was affiliated with one of the religious colleges there, which would play Christian rock, but then they had a specific time period dedicated to Christian rap.
I'm with you on this one.
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 09:27:54 AM
We had a radio station in Chicago at one time that played a mix of oldies with new stuff. Their format was, for example, like Tom Petty, followed by Frank Sinatra, followed by Panic! At the Disco. I actually loved the format, as it introduced me to rat-pack era and modern era stuff that I never would have given a shot.
Sounds like something I would like!
Quote from: bandit957 on June 25, 2019, 10:03:14 AM
When I was in high school or college in the early '90s, I read about a station in Hawaii that based their playlist on ballots submitted by listeners, and played all kinds of music. Listeners could also vote for songs they didn't want to hear, and these votes were subtracted from the song's vote totals.
This sounded like a great station, but I never got to hear it, because I've never been to Hawaii.
Neither have I, but that would make for an awesome format!
Christmas music, except between Black Friday and Christmas Day.
Quote from: cabiness42 on June 25, 2019, 03:20:03 PM
Christmas music, except between Black Friday and Christmas Day.
I'm sure many will agree with you.
For those of you who want familiar mixed with "never heard it before", listen to "Underground Garage" on Sirius. The combo makes this station easy to listen to for a long drive. It would make a great on-air format.
Loved the genuine disco format mention on this thread.
Rick
Quote from: nexus73 on June 25, 2019, 07:48:25 PM
For those of you who want familiar mixed with "never heard it before", listen to "Underground Garage" on Sirius. The combo makes this station easy to listen to for a long drive. It would make a great on-air format.
Loved the genuine disco format mention on this thread.
Rick
You meant to say Little Steven's Underground Garage, I'm sure. That's the full name of the famous program. Not a frequent listener, but what he comes up with on the show is nothing short of genius, let alone brilliant.
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 12:20:27 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 25, 2019, 12:11:08 PM
You almost got it right. Liberal talk radio has always been a huge failure. Air America went nowhere. (What was the name of the female talk host who was supposed to be the left's version of Rush Limbaugh, who famously flopped? I've forgotten her name.) The late Alan Colmes' show was not well-received.
Problem with Air America was how they went about starting the network. They should have started smaller - a few syndicated shows here and there, vs. starting a whole network. Lower startup costs.
Tom Joyner is not a failure and in fact has many listeners as his show is syndicated in many markets usually on R & B formats as a morning show. But he is very liberal and talks about politics and is the opposite of Rush and Hannity.
Quote from: kevinb1994 on June 25, 2019, 02:34:24 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 09:27:54 AM
We had a radio station in Chicago at one time that played a mix of oldies with new stuff. Their format was, for example, like Tom Petty, followed by Frank Sinatra, followed by Panic! At the Disco. I actually loved the format, as it introduced me to rat-pack era and modern era stuff that I never would have given a shot.
Sounds like something I would like!
I loved it.
Now I just listen to my music on my phone.
Quote from: roadman65 on June 25, 2019, 11:39:39 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 12:20:27 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 25, 2019, 12:11:08 PM
You almost got it right. Liberal talk radio has always been a huge failure. Air America went nowhere. (What was the name of the female talk host who was supposed to be the left's version of Rush Limbaugh, who famously flopped? I've forgotten her name.) The late Alan Colmes' show was not well-received.
Problem with Air America was how they went about starting the network. They should have started smaller - a few syndicated shows here and there, vs. starting a whole network. Lower startup costs.
Tom Joyner is not a failure and in fact has many listeners as his show is syndicated in many markets usually on R & B formats as a morning show. But he is very liberal and talks about politics and is the opposite of Rush and Hannity.
As a radio industry "veteran," so to speak, I feel there's a market for voices other than conservative on the airwaves. Air America's business plan wasn't the way to introduce these voices.
There are two, admittedly somewhat contradictory, explanations for the failure of openly leftist talk radio.
- As Rush says "I am equal time". The major media, all forms, is leftist. It presents commentary from a left view all the time. It just does not have the courtesy, or perhaps the right word is honesty, to label its opinion as opinion. When someone, and there is a long list for now nearly 30 years, tries to be "the anti-Limbaugh" they really have nothing to say any different than what Big Media presented as fact earlier in the day.
- Conservatism is about facts and logic. Liberalism, in the modern mis-use of that word, is about emotions and making declaritory pronouncements. Three hours a day, every day, is a long time. If you have a fact based opinion, you can fill the time. But if all you have is to cry for a few minutes and then call people who disagree with you a "fascist", what do you do with the other 2 hours and 45 minutes?
Quote from: SP Cook on June 26, 2019, 10:03:21 AM
what do you do with the other 2 hours and 45 minutes?
Both parties have many beliefs. There are a lot of things for Democrats to talk about, such as the 2020 primary, gun control, health care, election reform (such as ending gerrymandering), climate change, fixing income equality, eliminating discrimination, and impeachment (for the last few months). If a speech can take an hour, providing the same content with commentary can easily use the full 3 hours.
Quote from: SP Cook on June 26, 2019, 10:03:21 AM
There are two, admittedly somewhat contradictory, explanations for the failure of openly leftist talk radio.
- As Rush says "I am equal time". The major media, all forms, is leftist. It presents commentary from a left view all the time. It just does not have the courtesy, or perhaps the right word is honesty, to label its opinion as opinion. When someone, and there is a long list for now nearly 30 years, tries to be "the anti-Limbaugh" they really have nothing to say any different than what Big Media presented as fact earlier in the day.
- Conservatism is about facts and logic. Liberalism, in the modern mis-use of that word, is about emotions and making declaritory pronouncements. Three hours a day, every day, is a long time. If you have a fact based opinion, you can fill the time. But if all you have is to cry for a few minutes and then call people who disagree with you a "fascist", what do you do with the other 2 hours and 45 minutes?
What garbage. Given the number of lies that have been uttered by the Republican Administration, your opinion is totally unfounded.
In terms of fairness, bring back the Fairness Doctrine and end this system where we have news sources that lean one way or another (or rush towards one side or the other).
I see this thread being locked soon. However, I believe in free speech for anyone. Just like for Howard Stern, I just don't turn my dial to him. I think all have the right to exercise their first amendment right.
Same with Rush Limbaugh, I do not listen to him either. Tom Joyner was one I had to listen to as most of my former coworkers loved Star 94 in Orlando and his show was syndicated there each morning. Though Joyner is not my first choice (or any choice) I listened cause I had no choice but respected my coworkers right to listen to the radio station of their choice.
No opinions on air are really a ridiculous format, even though the person may have ridiculous stuff especially Rush Limbaugh who IMO is imature and childish to say the least. I will even listen to Hannity over him because at least he has some class and is even appreciated by many of his regular liberal listeners.
The so-called "fairness doctrine" was morbidly unconstitutional. Leaving that aside, anybody who believes that Big Media was "fair" during the period it was in place lives in a dream world.
Quote from: Rothman on June 26, 2019, 11:05:20 AM
In terms of fairness, bring back the Fairness Doctrine and end this system where we have news sources that lean one way or another (or rush towards one side or the other).
I never understood how the Fairness Doctrine and the First Amendment could coexist. No government agency would ever purport to dictate that any newspaper give equal column inches to a liberal editorial vs. a conservative editorial. I have never been an advocate of the FCC regulating content on broadcast outlets, either. Its role should be restricted to frequency allocation and technical matters. There's an on-off switch, a channel-changing switch, and a volume control if you don't like something that's broadcast over the air.
And Google tells me the name of the failed liberal female anti-Rush was Randi Rhodes.
Why is Tom Joyner not credited as a success? I have heard his shows and he talks real good from the standpoint of a liberal. Even Obama did not acknowledge him as Joyner and his crew were very big in promoting him during his 8 years. Even the big mouth Sharpton likes him and once a day he has Mr. Reverend rant about something via satellite link to his program.
And the conservatives come running to defend their news sources, knowing that if liberal and conservative views were presented side-by-side that they'd lose. :D
My fault for cracking a cheap-shot.
Quote from: hbelkins on June 26, 2019, 12:23:58 PM
I never understood how the Fairness Doctrine and the First Amendment could coexist.
The FCC regulates broadcasting all the time. I majored in broadcasting in college, and I had a professor who worked for Channel 5 in Cincinnati. He said Channel 5 can't show pornographic movies, because it wouldn't be in the public interest.
People can print pornographic magazines all they want, but broadcasting is considered a public trust, since the airwaves are public property.
Quote from: bandit957 on June 25, 2019, 10:03:14 AM
When I was in high school or college in the early '90s, I read about a station in Hawaii that based their playlist on ballots submitted by listeners, and played all kinds of music. Listeners could also vote for songs they didn't want to hear, and these votes were subtracted from the song's vote totals.
This sounded like a great station, but I never got to hear it, because I've never been to Hawaii.
WWCD-CD 102.5 in Columbus has a feedback system where new tunes that they play can be up- or down-voted. Classic Rock 107.5 The Breeze WZZZ in Portsmouth OH used to have something called the Listener Advisory Board that you could join. I was listening to it when I was in town a year ago and wanted to join the Listener Advisory Board in order to tell them to knock it off with the high school sports they were broadcasting on a Saturday night and play something that ROCKS instead.
Quote from: bandit957 on June 26, 2019, 05:42:28 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on June 26, 2019, 12:23:58 PM
I never understood how the Fairness Doctrine and the First Amendment could coexist.
The FCC regulates broadcasting all the time. I majored in broadcasting in college, and I had a professor who worked for Channel 5 in Cincinnati. He said Channel 5 can't show pornographic movies, because it wouldn't be in the public interest.
People can print pornographic magazines all they want, but broadcasting is considered a public trust, since the airwaves are public property.
Any broadcast station "can" play anything they want after 10pm... but just don't show a porno even if you "can". Channel 25 in Cincinnati was doing full swearing and even Brief Nudity on Saturday nights near the end of the analog TV days. I remember watching some '80s movie about punk bands on there that had all of that.
Quote from: GCrites80s on June 26, 2019, 10:22:26 PM
WWCD-CD 102.5 in Columbus has a feedback system where new tunes that they play can be up- or down-voted.
Some pop stations used to have a feature where they'd play a new record, and listeners could call in and vote on whether they liked it or not. But I don't know if any station ever paid any heed to the results of the vote.
WCLU's feature was called "Keep It Or Cram It." The old WLAP-FM in Lexington had "Like It Or Spike It." I remember WLAP-FM gave "Silhouette" by Kenny G a second chance - and it won.