No travel news is good news

There's the point about how "drivetime" doesn't work when no-one's driving. I say it's jargon anyway so good riddance to the term! But maybe we should go a step further?

I was listening to a local commercial radio station the other day and heard two sponsored travel bulletins - at 5:20pm and 5:40pm, as always.

Given that nobody, except key workers, is using the roads at the moment, both benchmarks were just a straightforward "all clear, nothing to mention but get in touch if you spot a problem!"

Doesn't it sound ridiculous saying that every 20 minutes on every weekday?

Why not just mention anything significant ordinarily for the minority who are commuting (while continuing to run sponsor tags if necessary)?

Put the easy revenue or opportunity to crowbar in a few local place names to one side and think about your listeners.

Do they benefit from regular empty updates in these irregular times with very little traffic? Or are they merely meaningless interruptions right now?

Introducing... VolunteerVT

Inevitably, in light of this crisis, gaps are developing in some community radio schedules.

Many volunteer presenters are rightly prioritising their day jobs and/or don’t have the necessary equipment to present their shows from home.

It’s a crucial time for radio to be entertaining and informing but some stations are struggling to recruit people to do it.

Local content is needed and if it’s ready-made it can be produced from anywhere, for anywhere, as networking and newsroom "hubbing" has shown.

I've been working on a new platform which might help... introducing, VolunteerVT!

If you’re a presenter working remotely and willing to volunteer for community radio, sign up free of charge and let stations know you’re available.

Ofcom rejects XS Manchester to Capital XTRA request

Ofcom has rejected Communicorp UK's format change request for XS Manchester in order for them to replace it with Capital XTRA on 106.1 FM.

Under the proposal, the licence's character of service would change from:

A rock and speech service for 35-64 year olds, with a strong commitment to local news, current affairs and interactive debate. Peak time programming will include a substantial amount of relevant speech.

to:

An urban contemporary music service featuring music of an Afro-Caribbean origin.

In a lengthy response, the regulator noted that "although the proposed change would significantly alter the programming output, this was acceptable in policy terms".

However, more than 70 individuals and organisations took part in the consultation with 97% opposed to the proposed changes and Ofcom now considers the impact of the character of the service change to be "greater" than first thought.

Formerly Rock Radio and Real XS, and one of the most niche radio formats still operating commercially in the UK today, XS Manchester has long championed the city's local music scene with substantial local speech requirements.

Positive as its work in the community may be, that distinctiveness has meant it's always been loss-making - a fact that appears to have been overlooked by Ofcom.

Other format change requests over the years which have garnered huge responses, including from campaign groups, were still approved. What is different in this instance?

If anything, lack of viability alone should guarantee the licensee a fresh start.

Communicorp UK told RadioToday it plans to operate XS Manchester as normal, but I don't see how that can happen without significant cuts.

Can you identify the sonic logo from DMF tones?

It’s been a quiet day...

Just a bit of lockdown fun!

It’s been a quiet day... spent some time recreating a few sonic logos using DMF tones for a little quiz. See which stations you can identify? (2 & 3 are different cuts from the same network) 🤓 pic.twitter.com/pzI885BZw2

— Harrison RB (@HarrisonRBRadio) March 30, 2020

Answers: 

1. BBC Radio 2 (Wisebuddah)
2. BBC Local Radio TOH (Mcasso)
3. BBC Local Radio TOH (Reelworld)
4. Absolute Radio (Wisebuddah)
5. Greatest Hits Radio (Bespoke Music)
6. Smooth Radio (PURE Jingles)

I’ll leave you to work out the bonus JAM cut.

Radio - the comfort blanket in a crisis

As Global reports online listening to their stations rising by 15%, and BBC Sounds boasts record live radio consumption, just how many people are turning to this great medium at the moment?

As ever, we won't know until the summer at least - but, while RAJAR is putting contingencies in place so that it can continue the survey without face-to-face fieldwork, a different methodology would invalidate quarter-on-quarter comparisons.

We mustn't lose sight of the fact that a streaming boost is inevitable with most people now listening at home instead of their usual in-car and/or workplace analogue consumption, but there'll be many others actively seeking an escape from the doom and gloom that radio can provide so well.

As Hannah Verdier wrote, eloquently, for The Guardian yesterday:

Radio is also a useful tool to give the day structure and provide company if you are home alone. It has a togetherness and reassurance that is impossible to get from podcasts, even though there are some excellent ones out there focussed on coronavirus updates.

But this isn’t about the latest developments, it is about managing feelings and recognising that you can’t stay calm all the time - and radio presenters have shown that they are concerned but carrying on, and not afraid to have a laugh.

The new local radio?

As the UK is forced into lockdown by the coronavirus outbreak, Petersfield Community Radio has stepped up by producing a daily round-up of local cancellations, changes and closures and ways people in the town are supporting each other.

The only difference between 'The Morning Report' and a traditional breakfast show is that its only available on-demand for people to consume in their own time and at their own pace.

It's not live and we don't have a transmitter or any linear service for that matter, but listener behaviour is virtually the same with a choice of "tuning in" online/via podcast apps or asking their smart-speaker for it.

With minimal running costs and not trying desperately to change people's consumption habits in today's hugely competitive world, could this be the future of local radio?

Bringing the nation together as One

The PM's statement last night was watched on traditional TV alone by 26.5m people.

• BBC One = 15.4m

• ITV = 5.5m

• Channel 4 = 1.5m

• BBC News & Sky News combined = 4m

When you include Radio 4, 5 Live, Local Radio, the World Service and online: the BBC is undoubtedly still the go-to for most people. As the most trusted broadcaster, it's hardly surprising.

BBC One is the channel that brings the nation together - it's that whole Oneness concept.

— Steve Martin (@smartin) March 24, 2020