The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Does This Happen To You When You Turn On The Radio?

**Posted by RadioActive** July 31, 2025 6:55 am

I must have been born under a dark cloud when it comes to radio listening. And while it's not a huge deal, it's really starting to annoy me. After a few months of monitoring this, I've noticed that whenever I turn on the radio, I seem to hit a cluster of commercials. Either they're throwing to break or they're in the middle of one. I'd say it happens a good 90% of the time.

I never seem to hit actual programming, even though an average station has more content than spots.

I'd make this a drinking game, but then I could never leave the house! (And those who listen to CBC Radio, which has no spots, are not eligible!)

Maybe this is all just bad luck and bad timing. But it happens so often, I've begun to notice it as a definite pattern. It's not the stations' fault, nor is it mine. It just seems to occur over and over and over by random chance. Does this happen to anyone else?

We'll have a response to this post right after we pause for this...

**Posted by Easily Amused** July 31, 2025 7:37 am

Do you ever note the time you're tuning in? From what little radio listening I do, it seems most stations are fairly regimented as to when segments are scheduled.

**Posted by RadioActive** July 31, 2025 7:46 am

Yes, I know that. The quarter hours are all commercial filled. But I rarely look at the time when I randomly switch on the radio. It just always seems like whenever I tune in, I hit a cluster of spots. Even happens when I randomly turn on the Jays games - and the time for spots is totally based on how the game is progressing.

Just my bad luck, I guess, but really annoying.

**Posted by Shorty Wave** July 31, 2025 7:50 am

Easily Amused wrote:
Do you ever note the time you're tuning in? From what little radio listening I do, it seems most stations are fairly regimented as to when segments are scheduled.

I find most stations placed their commercial breaks every 15 minutes and usually start at quarter past the hour. What this means is that if you hit a commercial break and change the station, chances are you land on another station’s commercial pack. Wouldn’t be so bad if the commercials were listenable!

**Posted by Shorty Wave** July 31, 2025 7:53 am

RadioActive wrote:
Yes, I know that. The quarter hours are all commercial filled. But I rarely look at the time when I randomly switch on the radio. It just always seems like whenever I tune in, I hit a cluster of spots. Even happens when I randomly turn on the Jays games - and the time for spots is totally based on how the game is progressing.

Just my bad luck, I guess, but really annoying.

Looks like you beat me to my Mensa reply RA!