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Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
We’re all used to PBS pledge-drives, but what if your favourite commercial radio station pledged to air fewer spots in exchange for a monthly or annual donation? That’s the bizarre premise of WDST, an FM outlet in Woodstock, N.Y., once the home of the world’s most famous rock concert.
The station owner, citing a down turn in advertising and a general change in how traditional broadcasting works, is now inviting listeners to donate $8.35 a month or $100 a year to lessen the number of commercials his station plays every hour and help keep it on the air. It’s a strange idea but more people than you might think forked over some dough.
From Hudson Valley 1, a local newspaper chain:
“Over 300 pledged support, the press release announced, and henceforth the station would start “cutting back the number of commercials minutes per hour with no commercial break longer than two and a half minutes to give listeners a better listening experience and better exposure for local businesses,” instead of the average “14 or more minutes of commercials per hour in a long string of messages” they purported other commercial stations were running.”
The 37-year-old WDST insists that it’s a little independent trying to compete in a sea of huge conglomerates and that this can only help. “As an independent, stand-alone commercial radio station, we do not have other radio stations in the market or a national corporation supporting us (like the other radio stations in the Hudson Valley) [explains owner Gary Chetkof.] “This puts us at a tremendous disadvantage for many reasons, including the ability to amortize expenses.”
According to the station’s donation page, it also entitles donors to several somewhat questionable perks, including a members-only party and discounts off station-related merchandise..
It’s a weird idea, but if say, Indie 88.1 asked you for money to help keep them on the air despite the fact they also air spots, would you consider giving them anything? Did CJRT ever do this kind of thing?
It's just another sign of how much the business is changing. Pay radio – it’s not just for Siruis XM anymore.
Can a commercial radio station also be listener supported?
WDST web page
- geo
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Are we not already doing so via federal & provincial taxes to the CBC (radio + TV) and to TVO?
- Old Codger
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Pretty much NO. Spots are news...at least local spots are. When you want/need something specific...spots are good. If 'they' overdo it...'they'll' suffer the consequences in the ratings, lose business, dollars, and fade away. Deservedly so I might add. Most of these companies don't deserve the sweat off my left 'you know what' to begin with...heartless, soulless blights on the industry that they decidedly are. They get exactly what I prefer to give the CBC... ... ...dick-all.
Greed kills. Just not quickly enough for me. Donate? To them? All I have for them are directions. 2 words worth. And the 2nd one is "off!!!"
Last edited by Old Codger (March 27, 2017 5:35 pm)
- cGrant
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Do people ever tire of constantly b!tching about corporations? Seriously? Are people this bitter in real life or just an act to get attention?
- Chrisphen
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Old Codger wrote:
Spots are news...
I have no words...
- geo
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Do people ever tire of constantly bitching about corporations?
Free enterprise sure is expensive
- geo
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Are people this bitter in real life
Don't trust anyone over thirty
- Old Codger
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Do people ever tire of constantly b!tching about corporations? Seriously? Are people this bitter in real life or just an act to get attention?
Yes...you're right. Accept corporate greed and know-how for all that it is and isn't. Give up. Accept the loss of a once exciting and interesting industry gracefully. These 'companies' have totally made the product better.
BULLSHIT!!!
- cGrant
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Other than raising your blood pressure, what does that complaining get you? Will they reverse their ways? Not likely. This is the new reality. And, like it or not, it's here to stay. So, grab some spiced rum, add a drop of cola and sit back and focus on things you can control. 
- Old Codger
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
And I ain't gonna stop. Wrong is wrong. You can hear it. I can hear it. Anyone who truly listens can HEAR it. The younger folks go elsewhere for their musical fix. The ones who've listened [and enjoyed it] for years are getting the shit end of the stick.
I'll keep on yelling at the clouds 'til somebody in the biz finally leads the pack away from these stagnant waters. Corporately? It'll be good for business...in spite of themselves.
- cGrant
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
Ah, but can the typical listener hear it? Or is it limited to those on this board? Are the younger listeners going elsewhere simply due to the technology currently available to them? This is the evolution of the business. Eventually, radio will go silent. We are witnessing the beginning of the end here. And that train cannot be stopped. Go to the Southern Ontario Horse and Buggy board and you'll see the same complaining because of this new fangelled automobile invention and the evil corporations that own them.
- Old Codger
- Unregistered
Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
And then you had to go and get rude...again. Yes radio is killing itself...making itself obsolete and unnecessary. It doesn't have to be that way. There will always be the need and demand for something local...local news...local info...local events...local weather, traffic, alerts etc. But talk and music and all the rest? They better change and change fast or they'll be riding out to pasture with your friggin' horse and buggies.
Good for you that you're willing to settle. I'm not. I'm not into crap. [watching it or listening to it...or eating it for that matter] That you are is decidedly your problem.
Last edited by Old Codger (March 28, 2017 5:44 pm)
- cGrant
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
I'm not "willing to settle", I'm accepting reality. No amount at tilting at windmills by complaining about progress will change that. This IS progress whether you agree with it or not. Yes, local information will always be needed, but different modes of delivery will be implemented. Radio had its day, now time to accept the new realities. Sorry.
- Old Codger
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Re: Would You Donate $$$ For Fewer Spots On Your Favourite Local Station?
But...I agree. Most radio will be toast. Killed itself off. THAT's the point. Too stupid to fix it. And these corporations you love failed to protect their investments by programming and re-staffing them into obsoletion. Shareholders should string 'em up by the you-know-whats. Meanwhile... ... ...I will.
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And as for spots being news. They are. IF AND WHEN you specifically need what they have to offer. For example...it finally hits 90 degrees on the old F thermometer. And...you're air conditioner has packed it in. BUT you remember that Big DICK's heating and air conditioning has rebates on their 'stuff'. You heard it on the radio. Good news when you need it.
Aunt Millie just kicked the bucket. Who's gonna plant her? Ferryman's Fun Funerals. You heard it on the radio. Millie was a party gal. Bad news becomes good news. Spots are a service...when you specifically need 'that'.
Last edited by Old Codger (April 1, 2017 8:58 am)