1 of 1- RadioActive
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The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
The analysis in the linked article below seems to suggest the lack of standards in the kind of ads that run on AM stations is one of the problems with the band and its seeming demise. I think that's way too simple and while some of the spots and their endless repetition can make you turn off the radio (Spence, 1-800-GotJunk, Subaru anyone?) I don't think that's part of what's leading to tune out.
Most here will rightly argue it's a generational thing and that younger demos not only don't know about AM but don't care and will never use it. Fair enough. But there is a point that the article doesn't make. One issue I have is that it's not the kind of spots that air, it's the sheer number of them.
I've noticed that at some point, stations like CFRB have started stuffing in so many commercials that there's now almost as many of them in an hour as there is programming. It's at its worst during their network shows, like Vassy Kapelos and NewsTalk Tonight. Each break is now 5 minutes long - 5 minutes per break! It simply encourages tune out.
Worse, I can now tune somewhere else during these endless pauses and know almost exactly when to switch back. When you total it all up, there are almost 25 minutes or more in spots (counting news breaks) in your average hour. That's nearly half the length of an average show and it's simply too much to expect those ears that are tuned in to stick around that long.
I know radio is in trouble and that sponsors pay the way. But sometimes more is less. Chasing away listeners with endless spot breaks means they never hear them. It's a recipe for tune-out, with many not coming back. And it's making an already terrible situation worse.
AM’s Ads Are Killing The Band Faster Than Automakers Ever Could
- tvguy
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Re: The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
You have captured my sentiments. CJCL (590) has blocks of 5 or 6 minutes of constant ads at around :54 past each hour. There are additional breaks during the hour. If I listen to Blue Jays Plus, I simply tune away and seldom come back. How many times can you tolerate 1877 Kars for Kids? I have plenty of other choices that are ad-free to capture my interest.
- RadioActive
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Re: The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
Speaking of Kars4Kids. I published this link before but it's worth repeating. Ever wonder where all that donated car cash goes? You might be surprised. I know I was. And while I suppose it may be seen as a good cause by some, the fact they never, ever disclose it on the spots speaks volumes.
From CBS:
Kars4Kids charity misleads donors, report says
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Thread Starter- RadioAaron
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Re: The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
There are really two issues
-Tune-outs. 100% bad ads and long stopsets contribute
-Lack of tune-ins. This is the bigger issue. It is partially due to the technical limitations of the band, but also in the case of News/Talk, lack of interest in the product in the first place. Many all-news and sports stations have successfully transitioned to FM, but it's been a tougher case for News/Talk. The format itself is not attracting new listeners.
- paterson1
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Re: The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
I guess I don't listen to enough AM talk radio to notice. City News 680 to my ears seems fine. Good information and commercial load. I don't find the commercials on 680 annoying or feel they run too many at a time. Same with our local Rogers talker City News 570.
If I listen to Oakley on 640 I haven't noticed that the commercials are a big issue. In fact at times Oakley can go for quite a long time with no ads. On 640 I have never noticed 5 minutes of commercials. Maybe a long break but that would include traffic and weather along with the spots.
So maybe the issue is with Newstalk/1010. I don't really listen to them enough to comment. I expect commercials/promo before and after a newscast and a longer break if I listen to Vassy. To my ears during the show, the traffic and weather on the 10's is separate from the ads that are also in the break. Even though it makes for a long stop set, the listeners usually want the traffic/weather info.
- RadioAaron
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Re: The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
680 actually runs quite a bit more inventory than a typical music station. It's just that the format allows better integration and flow, making them less obtrusive.
paterson1 wrote:
In fact at times Oakley can go for quite a long time with no ads.
Conscious decision or result of your share starting with a zero?
- Tomas Barlow
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Re: The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
I find CFRB excruciating. 21 minutes an hour is too much time to not be hearing the show I tuned in for.
- Tomas Barlow
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Re: The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
Speaking of Kars4Kids. I published this link before but it's worth repeating. Ever wonder where all that donated car cash goes? You might be surprised. I know I was. And while I suppose it may be seen as a good cause by some, the fact they never, ever disclose it on the spots speaks volumes.
From CBS:
Kars4Kids charity misleads donors, report says
It's ironic that CBS did that report when CBS all news radio stations play the commercials all the time and have for many years.
- MJ Vancouver
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Re: The Problem With AM: Too Many Bad Ads Or Just Too Many Ads, Period?
Myself, I pretty much only listen to CBC or NPR for talk radio now. I tried very hard to listen to CKNW after I moved to BC, I like their hosts and the topics they cover, but the number of ads just got to be too much. Where they really lost me is when they had ads at the top of the hour and the news wouldn’t come on until 2 minutes after the top of the hour.