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Smooth National Radio Thread |
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#2476 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,628
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Quote:
So clever that it makes me switch off. Why on earth would an intelligent adult of 45+ want to hear the same songs everytime they switch on? There's so much excellent music that Smooth could play which I am sure would not make people switch off. Smooth is broadcasting to mature adults not teenyboppers.
I will never accept that a small repetitive playlist is acceptable for a station like Smooth. It's not the small playlist on its own its the fact it's the most popular songs. A small playlist of bad and unpopular songs would kill an audience bit I bet Global are being clever sbout the songs chosen. |
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#2477 |
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,867
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I have yet to find a non radio enthusiast that likes repetitive playlists. How many people have just 300 songs on there ipod?
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#2478 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,991
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Quote:
So clever that it makes me switch off. Why on earth would an intelligent adult of 45+ want to hear the same songs everytime they switch on? There's so much excellent music that Smooth could play which I am sure would not make people switch off. Smooth is broadcasting to mature adults not teenyboppers.
I will never accept that a small repetitive playlist is acceptable for a station like Smooth. Intelligence also has nothing to do with it, some of the thickest people i know could take hours about music and some of the most intelligent people i know couldn't tell me much more than a few well known hits and vice versa. If you don't accept it just look at Magic 105.4, when it was at it's tightest under Park it was Number 1 in London. That's fact. Thers is room for non restrictive playlists in radio but sadly these don't bring in the audience Global want and it's also very hard to do on commercial radio due to the adverts, you need strong songs to keep listeners there so this is best left to the BBC. |
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#2479 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Newport Pagnell
Posts: 21,350
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So you think they should play songs they know their target audience doesn't like...is that what you'd do?
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Never got an answer to this reasonable question....
![]() No audience is ever going to like everything, so it's always a losing battle. I find the whole rationale behind these playlists far too clinical. After all, using this method means many people will not be able to discover music that they didn't know that they actually liked! Also, at the moment there are quite a few "old timers" who have put out rather good new singles, such as Elton John, Cher, Paul McCartney and even Boy George to name a few. What possible harm could it do to also pop these kind of artists with new music into the schedule now and again throughout the day? Mention has been made of the 45+ listener profile being aimed for apparently. Well I'm not too far off approaching that demographic in the future, but have to say I've been concerned recently that I am failing to listen to more new music and am relying on the songs I know and love from the past far too much. I still want to enthuse about good new songs as much as I want to enjoy past classic hits too. Hitting a certain age does not mean finally turning away from anything recent or current and only looking in one direction, way back a decade or four. I'd hope that applies to most people. It applies to myself anyway. Familiarity breeds contempt is the well worn cliched saying. It's true, and Smooth Radio could prove it with a restrictive playlist, even within an artists own back catalogue. For what it's worth, and as an example, I think that the old Andy Peebles show from 8pm to midnight on Smooth just about got the dynamic right on all levels, from warmth of personality, presenter talk, interaction and music, newish and old. When I discovered that show in 2010 I was immediately drawn to it over anything else at that time of night. I hope you are at least a little bit happy with that answer.
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#2480 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tied Up in Notts
Posts: 1,581
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So how does this restrictive playlist brings success format work with Radio 2?
Radio 2 appears to play a wide range of music: Smooth type hits, new music, forgotten hits from the 60s onwards etc.. One example of a 'forgotten' hit broadcast on Radio 2 this week was Thanks for the Memory by Slade, which Ken Bruce played. His show is hardly dangerously left-field and surely is going for a similar type of listener that Smooth is supposed to seek. Yet you'd never hear that Slade track on Smooth, as they'd probably fear it would make large sections of their target audience feel unwell with a very nasty case of failure to recognise syndrome. Radio 2 is far and away the most listened to radio station in the country, yet it plays a diverse choice of music through non-restrictive playlists. Or am I imagining what I am hearing on Radio 2 during the daytimes and it really does operate from a small, much-repeated list of songs after all? |
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#2481 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sussex
Posts: 25,513
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Quote:
So how does this restrictive playlist brings success format work with Radio 2?
Radio 2 appears to play a wide range of music: Smooth type hits, new music, forgotten hits from the 60s onwards etc.. One example of a 'forgotten' hit broadcast on Radio 2 this week was Thanks for the Memory by Slade, which Ken Bruce played. His show is hardly dangerously left-field and surely is going for a similar type of listener that Smooth is supposed to seek. Yet you'd never hear that Slade track on Smooth, as they'd probably fear it would make large sections of their target audience feel unwell with a very nasty case of failure to recognise syndrome. Radio 2 is far and away the most listened to radio station in the country, yet it plays a diverse choice of music through non-restrictive playlists. Or am I imagining what I am hearing on Radio 2 during the daytimes and it really does operate from a small, much-repeated list of songs after all? |
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#2482 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,572
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Quote:
You've got an answer now.
![]() No audience is ever going to like everything, so it's always a losing battle. I find the whole rationale behind these playlists far too clinical. After all, using this method means many people will not be able to discover music that they didn't know that they actually liked! Also, at the moment there are quite a few "old timers" who have put out rather good new singles, such as Elton John, Cher, Paul McCartney and even Boy George to name a few. What possible harm could it do to also pop these kind of artists with new music into the schedule now and again throughout the day? Quote:
So how does this restrictive playlist brings success format work with Radio 2?
Radio 2 appears to play a wide range of music: Smooth type hits, new music, forgotten hits from the 60s onwards etc.. One example of a 'forgotten' hit broadcast on Radio 2 this week was Thanks for the Memory by Slade, which Ken Bruce played. His show is hardly dangerously left-field and surely is going for a similar type of listener that Smooth is supposed to seek. Yet you'd never hear that Slade track on Smooth, as they'd probably fear it would make large sections of their target audience feel unwell with a very nasty case of failure to recognise syndrome. Radio 2 is far and away the most listened to radio station in the country, yet it plays a diverse choice of music through non-restrictive playlists. Or am I imagining what I am hearing on Radio 2 during the daytimes and it really does operate from a small, much-repeated list of songs after all? |
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#2483 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,227
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Listening to the new Elton John song (Home again) on Graham Norton's TV show last night, was good but on the radio it's possible alot of people may not like it, R2 and the old Smooth would have played it and it was probably played as part of Smooth's album of the week, but the new Smooth (or even Heart or Magic) will probably now not play it and R2 and BBC local radio may be the only stations which plays it.
No I have not prompted people about repetition they know I am interested in radio and have asked.me why Smooth keeps playing the same songs. Many of these people tuned to Smooth having deserted Heart for the same reason. Don't kid yourself that Joe Public don't notice the changes complacency dosn't get you anywhere. |
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#2484 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,475
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The old Smooth would probably have played the new Cher, Elton and Paul McCartney singles. I have heard Cher and Elton on non Global local radio this week.
No I have not prompted people about repetition they know I am interested in radio and have asked.me why Smooth keeps playing the same songs. Many of these people tuned to Smooth having deserted Heart for the same reason. Don't kid yourself that Joe Public don't notice the changes complacency dosn't get you anywhere. Comparisons with Radio 2 are not relevant - Radio 2 has 99% FM coverage and an annual budget of around £50 million, there is no way any commercial station can compete with that by trying to play them at their own game. If I was going to switch on the radio for half an hour, while driving or working, I would be more inclined to try Smooth now. There will be tracks that I recognise and minimum DJ chatter. It works for Magic & Jack and it will probably work for Smooth. |
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#2485 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 648
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Not really seeing as Park considers his best ever line up in radio the capital era with Pat on mornings. The reason he got fired from capital is just a refresh, Park may thinks he suits Smooth to a tee.
I have a funny feeling that before long Margarita Taylor may do some cover or a show on smooth. |
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#2486 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sussex
Posts: 25,513
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Or Margarita Taylor may appear on Gold Schedules as in this day and age , it's strange that there no female presenters on Gold .
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#2487 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: London
Posts: 1,521
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Radio 2 is far and away the most listened to radio station in the country, yet it plays a diverse choice of music through non-restrictive playlists.
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#2488 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Tied Up in Notts
Posts: 1,581
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I think I may now understand why Smooth has such a narrow playlist and so little speech content.
Smooth want a listener base who are likely to purchase a TomTom or have double glazing installed as a result of hearing one of their ads. Their research tells them that a person who is happy to hear Candle in the Wind ad infinitum and very little other than robotic voice links between the next Candle in the Wind is more likely to be ad-responsive. Ad-responsive listeners mean more companies advertising with Smooth, which means more revenue. It is more about listener ad-reaction than actual numbers for the sake of it with Smooth. Radio 2 want large numbers of listeners regardless of whether they want to buy TomToms. Radio 2 know their listeners like to hear decent conversation between records, enjoy new music as well as old, and also like to hear the odd song or two not heard in decades. Everything is paid for by the licence payer, so they can afford to be chatty and eclectic in their musical output. Radio 2 listeners, by design, respond less favourably to radio advertising, so the likes of new Smooth see no point in trying poach them. The old Smooth tried to be Radio 2 type listener friendly, got nowhere and hence Global appeared. Is it fair therefore to conclude by saying listeners who want comfort music and very little speech in-between are more inclined to buy products and services they hear between the songs, whereas listeners who like a broad range of song choice and decent conversation in between are not? |
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#2489 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Newport Pagnell
Posts: 21,350
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Quote:
I think I may now understand why Smooth has such a narrow playlist and so little speech content.
Smooth want a listener base who are likely to purchase a TomTom or have double glazing installed as a result of hearing one of their ads. Their research tells them that a person who is happy to hear Candle in the Wind ad infinitum and very little other than robotic voice links between the next Candle in the Wind is more likely to be ad-responsive. Ad-responsive listeners mean more companies advertising with Smooth, which means more revenue. It is more about listener ad-reaction than actual numbers for the sake of it with Smooth. Radio 2 want large numbers of listeners regardless of whether they want to buy TomToms. Radio 2 know their listeners like to hear decent conversation between records, enjoy new music as well as old, and also like to hear the odd song or two not heard in decades. Everything is paid for by the licence payer, so they can afford to be chatty and eclectic in their musical output. Radio 2 listeners, by design, respond less favourably to radio advertising, so the likes of new Smooth see no point in trying poach them. The old Smooth tried to be Radio 2 type listener friendly, got nowhere and hence Global appeared. Is it fair therefore to conclude by saying listeners who want comfort music and very little speech in-between are more inclined to buy products and services they hear between the songs, whereas listeners who like a broad range of song choice and decent conversation in between are not? Does Smooth ever play It's The Same Old Song by Four Tops? I've not heard that one yet. It's the kind of track that fits into their playlist perfectly.
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#2490 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,628
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I have to laugh at the sky epg. Joins David prever fir great music and conversation. Think that needs to be changed lol. And Paul young sings again lol.
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#2491 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,405
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It's not exclusive listening behaviour to be either Radio 2 or Smooth Radio however. I listen to both. Yet the description you give of a listener to each station would make me sound like two entirely different people! Which all goes to prove the ultimate futility of trying too hard with these demographics. I relate to the description of the Radio 2 listener far better, which is why my Smooth listening is lessening now.
Does Smooth ever play It's The Same Old Song by Four Tops? I've not heard that one yet. It's the kind of track that fits into their playlist perfectly. ![]()
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#2492 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Newport Pagnell
Posts: 21,350
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Quote:
Yes!.I heard the 'Kid' play that Four Tops track last week!
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#2493 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,227
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Brilliant, how amusing!
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#2494 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,119
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With Jazz FM (which is now surviving as one of the few independant stations left and hopefully staying on air!) seems to be busy
http://www.jazzfm.com/onair/presente...igel-williams/ |
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#2495 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 16,967
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Quote:
So how does this restrictive playlist brings success format work with Radio 2?
Radio 2 appears to play a wide range of music: Smooth type hits, new music, forgotten hits from the 60s onwards etc.. One example of a 'forgotten' hit broadcast on Radio 2 this week was Thanks for the Memory by Slade, which Ken Bruce played. His show is hardly dangerously left-field and surely is going for a similar type of listener that Smooth is supposed to seek. Yet you'd never hear that Slade track on Smooth, as they'd probably fear it would make large sections of their target audience feel unwell with a very nasty case of failure to recognise syndrome. Radio 2 is far and away the most listened to radio station in the country, yet it plays a diverse choice of music through non-restrictive playlists. Or am I imagining what I am hearing on Radio 2 during the daytimes and it really does operate from a small, much-repeated list of songs after all? |
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#2496 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,991
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Quote:
I think I may now understand why Smooth has such a narrow playlist and so little speech content.
Smooth want a listener base who are likely to purchase a TomTom or have double glazing installed as a result of hearing one of their ads. Their research tells them that a person who is happy to hear Candle in the Wind ad infinitum and very little other than robotic voice links between the next Candle in the Wind is more likely to be ad-responsive. Ad-responsive listeners mean more companies advertising with Smooth, which means more revenue. It is more about listener ad-reaction than actual numbers for the sake of it with Smooth. Radio 2 want large numbers of listeners regardless of whether they want to buy TomToms. Radio 2 know their listeners like to hear decent conversation between records, enjoy new music as well as old, and also like to hear the odd song or two not heard in decades. Everything is paid for by the licence payer, so they can afford to be chatty and eclectic in their musical output. Radio 2 listeners, by design, respond less favourably to radio advertising, so the likes of new Smooth see no point in trying poach them. The old Smooth tried to be Radio 2 type listener friendly, got nowhere and hence Global appeared. Is it fair therefore to conclude by saying listeners who want comfort music and very little speech in-between are more inclined to buy products and services they hear between the songs, whereas listeners who like a broad range of song choice and decent conversation in between are not? Add that to 99% FM coverage and as many adverts on the biggest TV station in Britain on at primetime whenever they fancy and thats why Radio 2 is so successful. As said though if Heart were to be given a level playing field in terms of a 99% FM signal and also free advertising on TV, Radio 2 would be shitting a brick and Heart would be very close to the same audience figuires. |
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#2497 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Newport Pagnell
Posts: 21,350
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I hated most of his late 80's personal output as a producer but Pete Waterman's Saturday Night Fever show is absolutely top class, full of great tracks. It sounds as if he's doing it live, is he, or am I being duped yet again? Whatever, the music is well up to scratch. At least this show has kept it's music integrity.
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#2498 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,628
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Nope its recorded or voice tracked but yes its a great show.
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#2499 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,475
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Quote:
I hated most of his late 80's personal output as a producer but Pete Waterman's Saturday Night Fever show is absolutely top class, full of great tracks. It sounds as if he's doing it live, is he, or am I being duped yet again? Whatever, the music is well up to scratch. At least this show has kept it's music integrity.
![]() http://www.smoothradio.co.uk/about/public-file/ae363 |
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#2500 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Newport Pagnell
Posts: 21,350
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I'd guessed as much, but it's still a decent listen. It manages not to sound as generic as the other shows.
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