Indeed I have been saying all along that just because tight repetitive playlists work for Capital & Heart I do not believe that they will work for Smooth and even if they do in the short term I do not believe it will be possible to maintain and that is maybe why Magic are moving things a little wider they are already slipping and want to try to win back listeners before the decline gets too bad. The 35+ audience is not the Heart audience I would imagine they are likely to listen for more than 30 minutes at a time and they may also dip in & out of Radio 2 they are not going to accept hearing the same few songs over & over they will tire of it and tuneout,
Global must not underestimate this age group these very listeners have grown up with Simon Bates, Lynn Parsons & Dave Jensen what makes Global think that they will warm to these TV presenters. Even seasoned presenters like Tony Blackburn & Roger Day etc have criticised tight playlists and I am 100% certain that they know exactly what they are talking about and have much more experince than people on here like Smart Programmer.
that is maybe why Magic are moving things a little wider they are already slipping and want to try to win back listeners before the decline gets too bad..
Magic is slipping because the changes they made a while back clearly aren't working (they have been tweaking for the past 18 months). If they have any sense they will restore the station back to it's former glory before Smooth London takes over (which it will).
Even seasoned presenters like Tony Blackburn & Roger Day etc have criticised tight playlists and I am 100% certain that they know exactly what they are talking about and have much more experince than people on here like Smart Programmer.
They might have more on air experience than me but programming experience is a totally different ballgame. Surely if Tony has a great programming insight he would have been snapped up a long time ago, right? But he hasn't.
As for Roger Day he might be a walking Guinness Book of British Hit Singles but a programmer in 2014 he isn't.
Magic is slipping because the changes they made a while back clearly aren't working (they have been tweaking for the past 18 months). If they have any sense they will restore the station back to it's former glory before Smooth London takes over (which it will).
They might have more on air experience than me but programming experience is a totally different ballgame. Surely if Tony has a great programming insight he would have been snapped up a long time ago, right? But he hasn't.
As for Roger Day he might be a walking Guinness Book of British Hit Singles but a programmer in 2014 he isn't.
Why would Tony or Roger want to be programmers they are still doing what they love by entertaining us on air. I wasn't suggesting that they would want to programme I was saying that with there many years of experience I am sure they know by now what the listening public want. Roger does programme his own Uncool Radio internet baby of course but as internet only it can't become commercially viable.
Smooth may possibly take over in the short term but it would be a brave person who put money on it. Global will not be able to maintain it the older audience will tire of the repetitive & blandness of the station. The latest "TV" recruits are at the very least a gamble and may or may not work with the audience time will tell on that one.
Magic is slipping because the changes they made a while back clearly aren't working (they have been tweaking for the past 18 months). If they have any sense they will restore the station back to it's former glory before Smooth London takes over (which it will).
They might have more on air experience than me but programming experience is a totally different ballgame. Surely if Tony has a great programming insight he would have been snapped up a long time ago, right? But he hasn't.
As for Roger Day he might be a walking Guinness Book of British Hit Singles but a programmer in 2014 he isn't.
Do yourself a favor and just listen to Tony's Shows on Magic, KMFM, or BBC London and learn how to program a show properly for the listeners enjoyment, instead of the dull repetitive dross Smooth are pushing out at the moment!!!
Still 3 in a row and a load of adds. Yes im giving american songbook a go but its just normal smooth music nothing specialist. But no doubt global will get away with it.
Magic is slipping because the changes they made a while back clearly aren't working (they have been tweaking for the past 18 months). If they have any sense they will restore the station back to it's former glory before Smooth London takes over (which it will).
They might have more on air experience than me but programming experience is a totally different ballgame. Surely if Tony has a great programming insight he would have been snapped up a long time ago, right? But he hasn't.
As for Roger Day he might be a walking Guinness Book of British Hit Singles but a programmer in 2014 he isn't.
Just what are your own credentials? I notice you've already been called arrogant by one esteemed contributor on here, and that tone does come across in your posts. The way this whole issue gets described on here is as if we are talking about something akin to quantum physics, rocket science and brain surgery rolled into one. It's almost as if too much time goes into thinking out the dynamics of programmes at times, rather than letting natural instinct for things come to the fore. Yes, that's probably being idealistic, so be it.
Yes I've made some very negative posts recently on here about Smooth, but had I been able to do so 3 or 4 years ago when I began listening to Smooth I would have made some equally positive posts about the reasons why I had been attracted to listening to Smooth. Most of my posts elsewhere on many other subjects media and non media based are overwhelmingly positive, so much so that even Tony Blackburn himself thanked me in name on his twitter after reading one of my positive DS posts.
RadioJohn's post above says it perfectly. Surely the most important thing a radio programme should do is "engage" on a one to one level with its listeners. Something Tony does to perfection every single time without fail. Smooth singularly fails to do so in my opinion. It did manage it once, with the likes of Andy Peebles in the evening, hence the reason why I began listening in the first place. If Andrew Castle is now the answer then it must be a very strange question indeed!
Magic is slipping because the changes they made a while back clearly aren't working (they have been tweaking for the past 18 months). If they have any sense they will restore the station back to it's former glory before Smooth London takes over (which it will).
To be honest, with a comment like that Im not so sure, people I know who listen to Smooth don't now as its so boring, Radio 2 is popular as it offers engagement with the listener , The older you are im sure you don't want the same 200 songs over and over. we will see , but I think you are wrong, it works with Capital as people want to hear their fav tunes, but they soon get board of these , people love oldies to , but people like a choice of oldies , and not the same ones over and over.
The way Smooth is now I really don't think it will do as much as you think, bigger playlist yes , but as it is now no way., its like me being a dj in pubs and clubs , its not me they say it to but to other djs, cant you play something different, as its like the djs who play the same tunes at the same time every week, same with smooth.
If there is one thing I hate its someone who thinks they are right and wont listen to others . Magic is good but gmgs Smooth was awful I agree. but if this is the start of smooth it has the making of a very good station, but it needs a lot more songs on its playlist, and more engagement with the listners, but putting it on am is a strange move ?
Still 3 in a row and a load of adds. Yes im giving american songbook a go but its just normal smooth music nothing specialist. But no doubt global will get away with it.
It was not any different, you are right. That's both 'Songbook' shows off my list now. It's definitely not a specialist show.
I've recently started listening to Smooth over the last month or so and quite enjoy the music - a few observations though:
1. I do find the balance of tempo not quite right - I know the station is called 'Smooth' but there are two many dull, slow tracks back to back which makes the station sound flat. I have noticed plenty of new tracks being added to the playlist too which are good to hear.
2. Presenter links - sadly often are flat and pointless with no real content apart from that was this is (Gary King being the exception). I listened to Tina Hobley yesterday for an hour and thought she was pretty terrible and couldn't work out why she was there.
3. Website song list needs attention - it shows the majority of songs as being played twice.
4. Ad breaks are far too long.
5. Station Voices - I think Mitch Johnson is perfect but Gina M sounds too forced and doesn't sit right with me.
I know people don't like change but I'll give it a few more weeks and see how the new presenters and shows fit before looking elsewhere. I hope Global are thinking of adding some local news at some point to the schedule, local traffic is fine but some local news wouldn't go amiss.
It amuses me how a lot of people on here complain about the repetition on Smooth, but no-one seems to complain about the repetition on Real XS or Magic 105.4.
Oh yeah, that's right - those stations aren't being run by Global Radio!
It amuses me how a lot of people on here complain about the repetition on Smooth, but no-one seems to complain about the repetition on Real XS or Magic 105.4.
Oh yeah, that's right - those stations aren't being run by Global Radio!
NO!! It is because the management have changed Smooth to become a "repetitive dull boring station!!! It was not like this before all the changes took place,
So Kate Garraway,,,two links in and in one ''heres the brilliant Aretha Frankllin.and ''here's the brilliant Tracy Chapman''.....She needs a damn good coaching session...quick.>:(>:(
Starting to think Garraway is voice tracked,It's soulless.and there was a massive gap going into the break.Anyway.whatever the case.shame on you.Global. I'll laugh if she does Loose Women at 12.30.
Garraway says ''I hope you ALL had a great weekend''. Radio is a one to one medium,love.>:(
Not anymore it isn't. She isn't the only one to address more than one person. Alot of radio does it nowadays. Very harsh to judge any new presenter on their first 30 minutes. Give it a few weeks and then if she is still bad - pass comment.
I hard Kate's second link saying she's going to have loads of fun playing all her favourite songs. That's all she'll be doing, if they don't let her speak. I bet Lynn is glad she isn't there anymore and if someone like Radio2 snaps her up again. It's a bit of a step down from being on tv, to doing 3/4 quick links an hour.
I wonder why Gary King seems to be the only one do have a bit of personality in his links, also Anthony Davies and the overnight people seem to say a tiny bit more than the rest of them.
Starting to think Garraway is voice tracked,It's soulless.and there was a massive gap going into the break.Anyway.whatever the case.shame on you.Global. I'll laugh if she does Loose Women at 12.30.
The massive gap is more likely to be Global's "Superior Technology" at work...
it does amuse (and sadden) me how there are many, many more silences and timing cock ups of this style since Smooth moved over to Global's "Superior Technology"...
Garraway says ''I hope you ALL had a great weekend''. Radio is a one to one medium,love.>:(
WOW, pretty harsh. I am not one for TV stars being parachuted into radio roles, but come on how many presenters do you hear talking about their "listeners" not "listener". I have heard well established radio voices addressing an audience rather that one person. I think those days are pretty over.
Not anymore it isn't. She isn't the only one to address more than one person. Alot of radio does it nowadays. Very harsh to judge any new presenter on their first 30 minutes. Give it a few weeks and then if she is still bad - pass comment.
WOW, pretty harsh. I am not one for TV stars being parachuted into radio roles, but come on how many presenters do you hear talking about their "listeners" not "listener". I have heard well established radio voices addressing an audience rather that one person. I think those days are pretty over.
Steve Allen, who is radio through and through, on LBC used to (maybe still does) begin his show with "Hello Gang"
I do cringe sometimes when I hear people talking to listeners as a group but not as much as the presenter who overdoes the "one-to-one" thing too much which sounds unnatural - if you wouldn't use the phrase in a one-to-one conversation, don't use it.
On the subject of Kate - I was unsure about her but think she sounds good for a first day and think give her a few months and she'll sound even better. I've certainly heard a lot worse first shows from experienced radio people.
WOW, pretty harsh. I am not one for TV stars being parachuted into radio roles, but come on how many presenters do you hear talking about their "listeners" not "listener". I have heard well established radio voices addressing an audience rather that one person. I think those days are pretty over.
If music radio novices like Garraway hear others like Emma B do it,they'll just follow like lapdogs,It's a shame radio has got into this state,and I'llbe as hasrsh as I like.thank you. You can't just be parachuted onto one of the biggest radio shows in the land and not be criticised,Sorry.
Not anymore it isn't. She isn't the only one to address more than one person. Alot of radio does it nowadays. Very harsh to judge any new presenter on their first 30 minutes. Give it a few weeks and then if she is still bad - pass comment.
Completely disagree, if you are professional and enthusiastic, you would want to make a good impression from the "off"!!
Also, radio is STILL a one on one, anyone who says something like "for all you lot" should be shot!>:(
Completely disagree, if you are professional and enthusiastic, you would want to make a good impression from the "off"!!
Also, radio is STILL a one on one, anyone who says something like "for all you lot" should be shot!>:(
Of course you want to make a good impression from the off, but to judge someone from less than an hour is just silly. You are full of all sort of emotions when you start a new job, most of which will disappear the more you do it. Even by the end of the show, you are likely to be more settled than you are when you first start.
You are right that radio is still a one to one medium, but there are alot of presenters/stations that don't address it that way nowadays.
Comments
Global must not underestimate this age group these very listeners have grown up with Simon Bates, Lynn Parsons & Dave Jensen what makes Global think that they will warm to these TV presenters. Even seasoned presenters like Tony Blackburn & Roger Day etc have criticised tight playlists and I am 100% certain that they know exactly what they are talking about and have much more experince than people on here like Smart Programmer.
They might have more on air experience than me but programming experience is a totally different ballgame. Surely if Tony has a great programming insight he would have been snapped up a long time ago, right? But he hasn't.
As for Roger Day he might be a walking Guinness Book of British Hit Singles but a programmer in 2014 he isn't.
Why would Tony or Roger want to be programmers they are still doing what they love by entertaining us on air. I wasn't suggesting that they would want to programme I was saying that with there many years of experience I am sure they know by now what the listening public want. Roger does programme his own Uncool Radio internet baby of course but as internet only it can't become commercially viable.
Smooth may possibly take over in the short term but it would be a brave person who put money on it. Global will not be able to maintain it the older audience will tire of the repetitive & blandness of the station. The latest "TV" recruits are at the very least a gamble and may or may not work with the audience time will tell on that one.
Do yourself a favor and just listen to Tony's Shows on Magic, KMFM, or BBC London and learn how to program a show properly for the listeners enjoyment, instead of the dull repetitive dross Smooth are pushing out at the moment!!!
Just what are your own credentials? I notice you've already been called arrogant by one esteemed contributor on here, and that tone does come across in your posts. The way this whole issue gets described on here is as if we are talking about something akin to quantum physics, rocket science and brain surgery rolled into one. It's almost as if too much time goes into thinking out the dynamics of programmes at times, rather than letting natural instinct for things come to the fore. Yes, that's probably being idealistic, so be it.
Yes I've made some very negative posts recently on here about Smooth, but had I been able to do so 3 or 4 years ago when I began listening to Smooth I would have made some equally positive posts about the reasons why I had been attracted to listening to Smooth. Most of my posts elsewhere on many other subjects media and non media based are overwhelmingly positive, so much so that even Tony Blackburn himself thanked me in name on his twitter after reading one of my positive DS posts.
RadioJohn's post above says it perfectly. Surely the most important thing a radio programme should do is "engage" on a one to one level with its listeners. Something Tony does to perfection every single time without fail. Smooth singularly fails to do so in my opinion. It did manage it once, with the likes of Andy Peebles in the evening, hence the reason why I began listening in the first place. If Andrew Castle is now the answer then it must be a very strange question indeed!
How can you be so dismissive of a radio legend is beyond belief!
The fact you juggle a handful of bland boring songs, so they don't get played at the same time as yesterday doesn't gain respect from me, sorry!
It was not any different, you are right. That's both 'Songbook' shows off my list now. It's definitely not a specialist show.
1. I do find the balance of tempo not quite right - I know the station is called 'Smooth' but there are two many dull, slow tracks back to back which makes the station sound flat. I have noticed plenty of new tracks being added to the playlist too which are good to hear.
2. Presenter links - sadly often are flat and pointless with no real content apart from that was this is (Gary King being the exception). I listened to Tina Hobley yesterday for an hour and thought she was pretty terrible and couldn't work out why she was there.
3. Website song list needs attention - it shows the majority of songs as being played twice.
4. Ad breaks are far too long.
5. Station Voices - I think Mitch Johnson is perfect but Gina M sounds too forced and doesn't sit right with me.
I know people don't like change but I'll give it a few more weeks and see how the new presenters and shows fit before looking elsewhere. I hope Global are thinking of adding some local news at some point to the schedule, local traffic is fine but some local news wouldn't go amiss.
Oh yeah, that's right - those stations aren't being run by Global Radio!
NO!! It is because the management have changed Smooth to become a "repetitive dull boring station!!! It was not like this before all the changes took place,
Not anymore it isn't. She isn't the only one to address more than one person. Alot of radio does it nowadays. Very harsh to judge any new presenter on their first 30 minutes. Give it a few weeks and then if she is still bad - pass comment.
I wonder why Gary King seems to be the only one do have a bit of personality in his links, also Anthony Davies and the overnight people seem to say a tiny bit more than the rest of them.
The massive gap is more likely to be Global's "Superior Technology" at work...
it does amuse (and sadden) me how there are many, many more silences and timing cock ups of this style since Smooth moved over to Global's "Superior Technology"...
I thought of you getting angry and the red faced smilie when I heard that.
Steve Allen, who is radio through and through, on LBC used to (maybe still does) begin his show with "Hello Gang"
I do cringe sometimes when I hear people talking to listeners as a group but not as much as the presenter who overdoes the "one-to-one" thing too much which sounds unnatural - if you wouldn't use the phrase in a one-to-one conversation, don't use it.
On the subject of Kate - I was unsure about her but think she sounds good for a first day and think give her a few months and she'll sound even better. I've certainly heard a lot worse first shows from experienced radio people.
If music radio novices like Garraway hear others like Emma B do it,they'll just follow like lapdogs,It's a shame radio has got into this state,and I'llbe as hasrsh as I like.thank you. You can't just be parachuted onto one of the biggest radio shows in the land and not be criticised,Sorry.
Not heard KG, and to be honest don't intend too, so won't pass comment
Completely disagree, if you are professional and enthusiastic, you would want to make a good impression from the "off"!!
Also, radio is STILL a one on one, anyone who says something like "for all you lot" should be shot!>:(
Of course you want to make a good impression from the off, but to judge someone from less than an hour is just silly. You are full of all sort of emotions when you start a new job, most of which will disappear the more you do it. Even by the end of the show, you are likely to be more settled than you are when you first start.
You are right that radio is still a one to one medium, but there are alot of presenters/stations that don't address it that way nowadays.