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Radio Ga Ga

5 Aug 2004 13:2773 commentsBizLike

Are South African radio stations alienating a wealthy market?

I am a white male marketer, aged 27 and believe that my CD collection has more value than the current flood of tedious SA radio (the collection stands at about 2000 CD'S).

I believe there is a huge gap in this market for a station that is focussed toward hit rock/pop music. Now I am not suggesting another "Atomic Kitten casino sponsored station", but more along the lines of where 5fm used to be. This excludes the over the top metal. Are the current radio broadcasters are excluding a wealthy market?

A quick opinion of the Gauteng based stations of "power":

5FM - A station with no real identity. When you try be everything to everyone you will find your market starts dwindling (RAMS). They are trying to gain the "black youth" audience and in turn loose the audience that made them great. The dismissal of Alex, Mark P, et al. have resulted in the voice of reason joining the competition. If only 5fm management would decide on where they want to be and aggressively attack the specified segment. Oh, and if I wanted to be screamed at in the morning, I would still be living at home...

94.7 Highveld Stereo - Relying on one man who seems to not give a hoot and in turn relies on his team to create magic is not very wise. Claiming it's all about the music and playing the pop trash that is plain annoying is rather boring... Mansfield has lost that edge he had when he started, excluding the smutty toilet humour he had. It is as if it is no longer the Rude Awakening, but the Darren "Whackhead" Simpson show (Who should be banned from the airwaves). As for the other shows... the only real entertainment is a muted Alex in the afternoon.

94.2 Jacaranda - It's amazing how they managed to over compress all the voices so they all sound the same, both male and female... The morning show sounds like a first rehearsal for a production that could be great. A stunted conversation. As for the playlist... an extremely high rotation which would condone a repeat of the same compilation for a period of a week, over a 7 hour listening period per day.

Others - Well if some people tune to Tuks FM in Pretoria, you will find some really "nice" music with a jock who has mis-informed ideas and no basic knowledge of a subject, and then commits the ultimate radio sin and talks about the topic for 15 minutes... shame....

Idea - If you monitor stations, you find they play 13 songs per hour on average, depending on ad sales. Here is my idea of a playlist for one hour and a line-up that could (in my humble opinion) create a great station:

Playlist
1. Maroon 5 - This Love
2. U2 - Sweetest Thing
3. Anastacia - Left Outside Alone
4. Counting Crows - Accidentally in Love
5. Wonderboom - Charlie
6. Matchbox 20 - Push
7. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Californication
8. Queen - Innuendo
9. Kimberly Locke - 8the World Wonder
10. Watershed - Love It
11. Five For Fighting - 100 Years
12. Guns 'n Roses - November Rain
13. Karen Zoid - Southern Sky

Line-up: (Some are well-known, others not, but each have their own charisma)
6-9: Alex Jay (94.7)
9-12: Mark Pilgrim (94.7)
12-3: Victor Kay (Ofm)
3-6: Ian F (5FM)
6-9: Lusi Tan (Metro)
9-12: Richard Perry (94.7)
12-3: Daré Art Alade (Project Fame - What a voice!)
3-6: Phindi Gule (East Coast)

Just a thought... am I alone in this opinion?


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Martin	Couldn't have said it better if I tried...- Your comments are spot on. And if you think your analysis of JHB stations leaves one feeling less than excited, try doing the same for the stations in Cape Town. NOW we're talking depressing stuff. We have one station which might as well just have been a CD jukebox without any talk, a talk radio station desperate to emulate its Gauteng sister station and other smaller stations barely making a blip on the radar screen. End product? There are thousands of listerners (with money to spend) who have no real home for their radio needs. A first step would be to put Anthony Duke (ex Radio 5 programming director) back in charge of a station. Lets hope things improve soon... Posted on 6 Aug 2004 14:44 Like Reply Report
brooke	who died and made you radio god - I wiil get straight to the point , before you make any major comments like the one on rams I, suggest you do your research because 5fm rams ,are the only ones that have stayed stable in the past six months so maybe Nic Grubb is doing something besides posting immature comments on the web . You ,misterr do not know what you want in radio and i suspect you were just having a lousy day , you cant be happy with anything, I mean hello what do want in radio robots who press buttons and show no personality , then keep playin your cd`s because chances are four months from now , you will be here complaining about the way the music shops positon their cd`s , because you`d rather have them position it your way . No one is forcing you to listen and your learned opnion makes me further see that you do listen , quite intensivley at that and as for your playlist , i personally quite enjoy it,but 40 million other people might not , oh are you suprised that you are not the only one in sa that radio caters for , well thats it , but you sound `wealthy enough ` so i suggest you apply for your own, radio license and start your own radio station ,pleeeeez i`m dying to see what you could do , tell you what i have a name for you . `i know it all fm` i think that could fit in a banner . Thank you , i await your learned reply. Posted on 8 Aug 2004 12:05 Like Reply Report
GOD fm	baa-baa- @ Brooke: hm... and would your station be called "PMS fm"? At what point in the post did Tank appear to think him/herself "Radio God"? He/she was merely stating a complaint & offering a possible solution. And - just as u advise Tank they need not listen - u need not read these posts. As for "robots with no personality" - I personally think Tank offered just about the only KNOWN line-up of DJs with real personality & musical knowledge. (He/she did miss out Barney Simon however.) Take a break from the herd & try to recognise that a major format change such as 5fm have implemented simply can NOT go without p_ssing off quite a large number of ppl. Not all of us just accept the status quo & meekly buy into whatever some suits at the SABC decide we should be listening to. ALL stations should look at what their audience really wants when deciding their playlists - not at overblown, bribed-up overseas charts that have sweet sod-all to do with this country. As for your digression into CD shop layouts... I cannot speak for Tank, but as it happens, yes, I DO have a problem with the way many of them position their CDs. Why are SA artistes placed in a seperate section - as though they had some contagious disease? Is our local music not good enough to be placed by GENRE? People choose music by genre, not by nationality! Posted on 8 Aug 2004 13:35 Like Reply Report
JC	PMS? Whatever!- Everyone is jumping on this horse (and I have read it in so many other posts) that 5fm's format is losing out on their regular listenership. What is everybody's problem with 5fm? Read Tank's analysis of 5fm really carefully and then tell me what you think. To me it seems as if the issue with him is that 5fm should not focus on "black listeners" as much. If I have misinterpreted the issue, feel free to correct me. And as for the rude awakening (The Gillman gang) - don't turn on the radio! I am not ashamed to say that I like the way they operate and many others do too. And it's so typical of men to blame a woman's opinion or stance on PMS. Dude, that excuse is so lame and old. Try and get a new one. Please. I'm a woman. Try and comment on my emotional state. You have a choice of radio stations to choose from. 5fm has a good mix of music during the day. Bit of pop, R&B, rock, local... Tank's playlist is whack to say the least. He can put on his CD's at home and dance to his heart's content. Posted on 11 Aug 2004 19:30 Like Reply Report
GODfm	PMS sufferer- What makes u think I'm a dude? Because I asked Brooke if her station would be called PMSfm? If YOU would read Brooke's emotional, illogical & inappropriate comment, u'll see why I said that. As for anyone wishing that 5fm would not target "black" listeners, as u put it... I have 2 questions for u: 1. Why assume that "black" listeners do NOT like Rock/Pop? Musical preferences are surely not genetically programmed into us? Conversly, I'm sure there are many "white" listeners who dig R&B, etc. Your bringing in of the race issue here is inappropriate. 2. Getting back to purely GENRES: 5fm HAD a branding as a Pop/Rock station & many loyal listeners. Don't u think there are quite enough stations in SA playing R&B, hip-hop, etc already? Why SHOULDN'T the Pop/Rock lovers be pissed off now that 5fm have 'hip-hopped' onto that bandwagon? Posted on 12 Aug 2004 11:54 Like Reply Report
JC	And I quote- I'm not the one who brought race into this. This is a direct quote from Tank... "They are trying to gain the "black youth" audience and in turn loose the audience that made them great" You explain to me what that means? Posted on 16 Aug 2004 08:17 Like Reply Report
GODfm	Fair Enough, JC! :-)- OK, OK... BAAAAD Tank! Naughty! Smack on bum!! Would still like an answer to my second question though (from anyone)... aint it dumb for 5fm to move to a market that's already well-covered?? Posted on 16 Aug 2004 09:07 Like Reply Report
JC	Diversification- It's alright. Maybe 5fm just wants to diversify a bit. Before I answer, does 5fm conduct surveys on what listeners want? If that's the case, then it's the public controlling the content. But I'm open to correction Posted on 16 Aug 2004 12:30 Like Reply Report
Nic	Diversification se gat.....- "Diversification" means opening up to a wider set of options. When a radio station does a total U-turn and plays 90% rap and hip-hop, that's selling your soul. Posted on 31 Aug 2004 08:54 Like Reply Report
JC	You are talking crap.- If we are talking about 5fm here, then you are talking crap. They do not play 90% rap and hip hop. Don't know what radio station you are listening to. Posted on 3 Sep 2004 12:43 Like Reply Report
Nic	5FM has sold out...- ...and that's a fact. They have given in to the commerical machine and neglected their loyal listeners. Posted on 9 May 2005 16:31 Like Reply Report
Ex-Tuks FM music programmer	5's always been perfect for all the sheep, ramble on!- Posted on 12 Aug 2004 17:49 Like Reply Report
Jabu	Kaya FM - Way to go!- You've got no taste my friend. Move with the times. If you wanna listen to sophisticated music, Kaya's the station for you. Sell your 2000 CD's, go into therapy and maybe you'll realise that you're living in South Africa, not the USA or the UK. Posted on 6 Aug 2004 14:45 Like Reply Report
Teee	and Yfm!!- well now Jabu, for a white 34 yr female, I really 'dig' :) Yfm. Kaya is great and I think that a complete reshuffle and new radio line-up is crucial... it's got to happen. The crap in the morning drive time shows is unbelievable. Posted on 6 Aug 2004 15:01 Like Reply Report
Jeega	You've got a choice- This complaining is not gonna get us anywhere. When Romeo Kumalo took over as station manager at Metro, he kicked out no less 5 most like DJ's (Evidence Kemp, Grant, Ernest Pillay, Lawrence Dube, Shado Twala, Bob Mabena etc), saying that they were changing their target audience to you - This was just after the introduction of Yfm. They brought in new DJs such as T-bose, Sammy T, Just Ice, Bertha Charuma, their listerneship dropped. A year later people started getting used to the DJs and the fact that the old Djs would never come back. Radio is very competitive these days, children go to multi-racial schools, they party together and listen to different styles of music. This is why you now find black teenagers listening to 5 and Highveld, white kids listening to Y and Metro. Because the market is not stagnant, the stations also have to get on with the time. Advertisers are targeting young people and these stations have to give what the advertisers want. That is why i listen to different stations all the time. Listen to DJ Fresh or Bob Mabena in the morning. Listeners are tired of Glen Lewis, Mark Gilman and Jeremy Mansfield in the morning Posted on 6 Aug 2004 15:48 Like Reply Report
	radio sux!period- i think that the jocks in these high profile stations have gotten comfortable and are not delivering.and they are all sounding the same.its high time sumbody gave them a run 4 their money.my king of the airwaves who shall always reign supreme is phat joe,n my new station i'd have him 4 breakfast,followed by metro's azania(9-12)after which i'd have yfm,s rudeboy 4 lunch(12-3)i'd seriously do away with unathi's giggles,and then for drivetime i'd have the big dawg,yfm,s fresh and he must also loose the sidekick....bad boy t. would also be in the line up somewhere,it would strictly be 3hr shows....big up to yfm,s lee 4 representing tha girls as 4 what the other women in radio are doing...i dunno...what do you think???? Posted on 18 Aug 2004 13:09 Like Reply Report
Bertie	You're not alone- Yes When 5fm made their changes, I said that I’m not going to be listening to them anymore. I’m also a White Marketer 26 years old and I have similar feelings to this. Just want to emphasis the morning show on 5fm. I’ve wanting to phone in and complain for a while now, about racism on that show towards white people. I understand they want to attract the young black market, but in their effort they are making the people who got them to where they are today seem as they are rhythm less, can’t dress and have no style. I had a big problem with them when they let Alex J, Mark P, and Darren go. There again are we in their target market? 5fm use to be the best station in SA. The day Darren left made my trip in the afternoons back home so longer without him and John. Its sad, but maybe its just me. 94.7, their 30 minute nonstop music is sometimes so back dated, its not even funny, sometimes they give radio rippel a big go for K_K music, and if they find out that you like a tune they’ll play it until you want to puke if you hear one more time. 94.2 I don’t even listen to them, so I can’t have a opinion but yours sounds on the button. At the moment I’m listening to CD’s and scanning for tunes. Cheers Posted on 6 Aug 2004 15:01 Like Reply Report
Superman	Try this- A white 22 year old marketer. Yip, got a lot to learn but we are marketers not listeners. When you choose a career in marketing you have to remove your personal opinions from all media and immerse yourself into it. I listen to every station for ten minutes each day on the morning and afternoon drive. I have gained such valuable information by doing this and have a better overall understanding of radio, which can then be passed on to my clients? Try it, it works! Posted on 6 Aug 2004 15:12 Like Reply Report
toca	Blah Blah...- 5fm has actually improved...ok, I have to admit, I'm one one those black listeners they have targeted...more hiphop and less of the rock that Barney Simon used to play on his show has made me listen. Metro fm is playing to more house music and trying to cater for everyone with their programme line-up which includes talkshows, gospel shows, jazz shows..damn, can't they stick to a formula and run with it?BTW, I'm 26 and enjoy a variety of music. Posted on 6 Aug 2004 15:14 Like Reply Report
Just Wondering	Question, Blah-Blah- Do you dislike rock and prefer hip-hop BECAUSE you're black? Are musical preferences genetically programmed into us? Seriously... I would like to know. Posted on 8 Aug 2004 22:05 Like Reply Report
Nic	Not everyone likes hip hop- Sorry to break the news to you but not everyone likes rap and hip hop! The point is that while 5FM is looking to become a second Metro FM, 94.7 just has about 20 songs on repeat for the day and any other stations cater for either older markets or african cultural markets, neither of which I belong to. There is a huge contingent of 18-25 year olds that like rock music and have to resort to buying countless CDs because there is not one radio station in this whole country that will cater for them. My solution: I bought an MP3 player and hardly ever listen to the radio, except for traffic reports and the 5 o'clock funnies. THAT'S IT. Posted on 31 Aug 2004 09:09 Like Reply Report
Impressed	PE Radio- I'm a Jozi boy and visited some family in Port Elizabeth recently. There are found a station called Bay FM. All of you seem bored with the station here is Gauteng so give Bay Fm a listen on www.bayfm.co.za like i do everyday at the office! Posted on 10 Aug 2004 10:12 Like Reply Report
Martin	I agree- I have to agree with these comments made. Commercial radio has forgotten about the passion. Radio has become too much of a business. It's maybe time to forget about the advertisers and concentrate on the audience. With that in mind- the advertisers will follow. A good example of passion can be found with Bay FM- a community radio station in PE which has grown and developed an audience that is kicking 5FM into obscurity. Bay FM has not let any national or regional radio station get them down. It's all about passion- constructive passion. The big boys up in Gautang should catch a wake up call. Posted on 10 Aug 2004 15:23 Like Reply Report
Ex-Tuks FM music programmer	Oi vei Bertie!- If you liked Darren and his gang you'd LOVE Mansfield... Never did get mr SuperSport's boerewors & rugby shows... But at least you don't like Rippel, so it's a start ;-) Posted on 12 Aug 2004 18:04 Like Reply Report
Ann	creating a market- It seems like SA radio stations are CREATING a radio market IF there are very few (or no) stations that play actual talent --but instead feed young ears (lets face it ...real rock music is a dying breed on SA radio) crap of any genre -from flash in the pan pop to hip-hop....its going to be really easy to 'create' bands that go straight to the top....if you only ever hear bad music - how do you know what good music is? its pretty much like the US market now - where record companies and radio stations are in bed together and not one of them a ctually care about nurturing real music talent..(and really..project Fame, Popstars,,,Idols....that's not about talent - it's about creating a franchise).. A Posted on 6 Aug 2004 15:26 Like Reply Report
toca	hiphop- Hiphop aint flash in the pan...its been around since 1973, so how are you going to call it "flash-in-the-pan"? Posted on 6 Aug 2004 15:37 Like Reply Report
yabbat	The real problem- To the original poster ("tank"?)... Dude, I couldn't agree more with your "dream-team" DJ line-up, but that set list...? I see that - true to form - your new station would also play less than the required quota of local tracks. A quota which, I might add, at 25% is disgustingly low as it is! As another poster put it: we are in South Africa, not the USA! Let's hear more local!! To the posters who defend 5fm: that's your choice - but what the original poster was saying is that a NEW rock/pop station would be nice. I couldn't agree more. Whether u dig hip-hop/ R&B or not, u have to admit that those who dig current Rock & Pop are almost entirely ignored now that 5fm has er, "moved with the times"??? (matter of opinion, since Rock outsold Hip-hop and R&B in the 'States last year, and is experiencing a worldwide resurgence!) And just because some ppl would like to hear more Rock/pop does not mean that they neccesarily wanna hear OVERSEAS rock. There are plenty of excellent Rock and Pop bands right here in SA. (Though how much longer they'll stay - given the lack of support - is anyone's guess... ) Posted on 6 Aug 2004 16:33 Like Reply Report
RS	Spot-On- I'll say it again......Spot-On!!!!!!!!!!!! Posted on 6 Aug 2004 16:58 Like Reply Report
yabbat	A decent playlist for our dream station...- This is my little "F-- U" to anyone who feels we don't have enough good SA Rock/Pop to keep a station going... All the artistes below have loads of excellent, radio-friendly recorded material to choose from, and are currently active (so, no - we DON'T have to play old "Clout" or "eVoid" tunes!) Wickhead (SA) 16 Stitch (SA) Marlowe (SA) Jo Day (SA) Tweak (SA) Tait (SA) Soil 7t7 (SA) Summersalt (SA) Cofield Mundi (SA) Even Flow (SA) Arno Carstens (SA) Nianell (SA) Karen Zoid (SA) Cutting Jade (SA) Wonderboom (SA) Six of Nine (SA) Kelvin Declined (SA) Jesse Jordan Band (SA) State Far Better (SA) Tamarin Seed (SA) Tree 63 (SA) Boo (SA) The Finklesteins (SA) The Parlotones (SA) The Narrow (SA) Mel Function (SA) Kreesan (SA) Prime Circle (SA) Mean Mr. Mustard (SA) Watershed (SA) Henry Ate & Karma (SA) Spoonfeedas (SA) D-Day 4-Ever (SA) Zen Arcade (SA) Fuzigish (SA) N8ive (SA) Belljar (SA) Mandoza (SA) F_kofpolisiekar (SA) Old Mol (SA) One80 (SA) Sugardrive (SA) Valiant Swart (SA) Pyramid Tongue (SA) ... that's just a few I can think of off the top of my head - but u get my point. So, why DO we hear so much overseas stuff??? Posted on 7 Aug 2004 09:29 Like Reply Report
Ex-Tuks FM music programmer	Looks more like the OppiKoppi stage-list...- International artists usually have access to better producers, and much bigger marketing budgets... But yes, there are many SA artists that could compete internationally, if only they could think of better names! But F_kofpolisiekar is a great name, if only in Afrikaans (somewhat limiting). Posted on 12 Aug 2004 18:10 Like Reply Report
Ex-Tuks FM music programmer	You MUST be in a band yourself, dude!- Posted on 12 Aug 2004 18:13 Like Reply Report
TUHEDZ	MARKETS HAVE CHANGED- Lets face it , conventional markets have changed , reason beeing , whities ,and darkies are mingiling at school and varsities, work like neva before in the world & before you would have a 19 year whitie listening to his Rock and your Darkie listening to his Kwaito - Rap etc, now you find white rappers, black rock n roll artists , you find a whole new type of music genre emerging a mixture of culture ,my yonger sister enjoys rock , her twin brother enjoys more rap and this whole neo soul , these people are same age and same kind of Lsm but different tastes dont you think and Im 23 I enjoy neo soul ,jazz, hip hop ,house , my girlfriend (23) enjoys her Enrico same principle applies, so you see because of more choices we enjoy vast different music ,which wasn't the case previously, coming back to radio stations Advertisers say they get , obviously because they fund the whole station ,lets be realistic ,more africans are having or getting more disposable income, for instantce if you earn 4 grands you can get a credit card cheque book etc hence more disposable income , marketers want to target this group and if you wanna be with the cash you position your self to attract this market so radio stations will change they playlist to match with this What im not impressed by is that whities tend to be a bit consevetive, as in change or if your normalilty changes you cringe and complain ,what is wrong if they put some more rap, r & b into they playlists ,believe me Yfm does play certain so called white music ,you dont see darkies protesting do you Posted on 6 Sep 2004 16:08 Like Reply Report
Ann	hiphop- i concede - i meant the flash in the pan 'artists' more than the actual genre ... Posted on 10 Aug 2004 14:53 Like Reply Report
Nic	Today's Hip hop has no talent- Oh please man. The only hip hop I ever hear on the radio uses backing tracks and re-hashed samples form old rock songs. All I'm hearing on the radio today is cover version, after cover version, after re-hashed cover version. Where's the talent in copying somone's original talent? If they come up with something REALLY original, I'll give them props, but for crying out loud, if it's been done, it's been done. Posted on 31 Aug 2004 09:19 Like Reply Report
	In defence of radio- Before I begin , I must wonder how such an eloquent and astute radio guru, such as yourself, is not involved in any capacity with the industry of which he has such boundless and infinite knowledge. I question whether your opinions are informed or whether you simply made the statements on a whim. I deal with the radio industry a great deal and I do agree with some of your observations, but, as a marketer, you surely must realise is that these radio stations continue to generate income - someone must, clearly, think that they are doing something right. Anyone can be a critic, but not just anyone can be a dj. Posted on 9 Aug 2004 17:24 Like Reply Report
yabbat	True- "Anyone can be a critic, but not just anyone can be a dj." Damn straight! So, why'd 5fm fire all their good ones? Posted on 9 Aug 2004 17:37 Like Reply Report
blue concept communications	breakfast shows sound the same- Listening to Kaya, YFM and Metro Fm, i wonder why these stations must have separate breakfast shows, because they al sound the same, same traffic news, same political analysis, same jokes,same music.To the producers of these breakfast shows please stop copying one another. Posted on 10 Aug 2004 11:08 Like Reply Report
Nic	Oh please- The DJs today have egos as big as their damn pay cheques man! Posted on 31 Aug 2004 09:21 Like Reply Report
Insider trading	Not incorrect but...- The problem (here we go again) is licensing. ICASA have determined (on your behalf) that the industry cant sustain too many more radio stations - so thats why you have to get forced to listen to the junk on the airwaves. Sure they will be licensing some more stations in the next 2 years, but probably only another 1 in Gauteng in that period. My vote is: 1. Get rid of some of the spectrum eating community stations - license some commercial stations and give them community serving obligations. 2. Open up the market for some competition - the reason all the Highvelds and East Coasts do so well is because they dont have any real competition. 3. More licenses!!! You cant really tell me that a young urban black station (like YFM) is not going to work as well in KZN or CT....if it can work in Gauteng, it will easilly work in other parts of the country. In the meantime, you might as well save your breath....get some CD's or maybe invest in one of those cool iPods... Posted on 10 Aug 2004 10:13 Like Reply Report
JC	Communities need their radio- Get rid of community radio stations? Do you honestly think that commercial radio stations will focus on small communities once in operation? The reason we have community initiatives is to serve the needs of a specific community. These services can be very valuable to its members. I have spoken to communities who have their own radio stations/newspapers and many of them said that they felt a sense of belonging. So many communities are being neglected by the mainstream media and these people aren't being informed of issues directly affecting them. You can't take that away from them. Or you can't suggest that it be taken away. Posted on 11 Aug 2004 20:26 Like Reply Report
Al	More stations should be possible...?- OK, point taken on the community issue. If they're crap, boot 'em off. The listenership figures of a proper survey will confirm this. Where do we draw the line though? Many of these stations do amazing work, and get little or no credit/exposure/support for their work. Remember that nearly all of the people on air on commercial/national radio have, at some stage been on/involved with Community Radio. It needs to be protected. There should however be many more commercial stations available, regardless of which area you are in. The real problem seems to be the fact that overseas they can fit heaps of radio stations into the band, whereas here it doesn't seem to be possible. Must be the hole in the ozone layer..? My point is, manage the frequency spectrum more effectively, let more commercial stations go on, and then it's survival of the fittest. Compare it to the print industry. There are hundreds of publications out there, and they all seem to survive. New ones start up all the time. The ones that are not serving a viable market, will die. The market will eventually define what it wants. Competition is a wonderful thing, unless you are a protected minority like the current commercial stations. This is the very reason Pirate radio has emerged and flourished overseas. I won't be surprised if we see it here soon. Too many people are talking about how unhappy they are. So, should we sit back and accept the current state of affairs? Al. Posted on 2 Sep 2004 21:06 Like Reply Report
GODfm	The mountain of Red Tape, Al!- I believe u are absolutely 100% right, Al - if a person or group of ppl can manage somehow to score the gear (a major mission in itself!), they shouldn't have to wade through years of red tape to get a license. I just now read the depressing history of Bush Radio (www.bushradio.co.za). This is a community upliftment project in the Cape who battled for SEVEN YEARS to finally get tossed the skinny bone of a "shared license". What they had to go through during that time is reprehensible and unacceptable! My point is this: if an UPLIFTMENT radio project such as this is given so much uphill by our "Powers That Be" - what blerrie chance does a wannabe indie MUSIC station have??? Ain't we s'posed to be living in a frikken DEMOCRACY???? Aint we s'posed to have the right to be HEARD??? Pathetic. Utterly pathetic... I would dearly love somebody - anybody - to please educate me as to (a) why all this uphill happens, and (b) what can be done about it!! Posted on 3 Sep 2004 08:31 Like Reply Report
Le Nan	Lose Lusi Tan- You were onto a good thing Think Tank until you suggested Loser Tan, sorry, Lusi Tan. Posted on 10 Aug 2004 12:39 Like Reply Report
GeeDjay	The point is.......- Different people have different tastes...and in SA they provide for a few tastes but none towards mine (and quite a few others) and that is rock/alternative. There is no commercial station that aggressively targets that market and that is a crying shame. I don't listen to hip-hop and I don't like hearing Britney sing the same song every 20 minutes, I want to hear Linking Park, Live, Chillie Peppers etc. I don't care if the music is from Mars, I know what I like and I am not getting it. Posted on 10 Aug 2004 14:58 Like Reply Report
	Linking Park...- ... are you being ironic? Posted on 10 Aug 2004 20:37 Like Reply Report
	Who cares about the tchoons if the DJs great?- I think we could learn a lot from radio in the UK (just about the only thing they do better than us). I don't think it's so much about what music is played - except for maybe KISS I couldn't tell you what genre they stuck to. What I remember are the DJs. They were funny, irreverant, and very entertaining. We have great comedians in this country - maybe some stations would do well to employ a few to write some scripts to help the current crop of ho-hopers. Posted on 10 Aug 2004 17:57 Like Reply Report
Blue Concept	why should we learn from uk djs- South African radio jocks must just be creative and forget about the UK radios. Posted on 10 Aug 2004 18:39 Like Reply Report
Nic	What absolute rubbish- Dude, If I want to hear people talk, I'd tuen in to 702 TALK RADIO. I want to hear music. I want to hear the music I like and no radio station can give me (or others for that matter) that satisfaction. Viva la MP3 players! Posted on 31 Aug 2004 09:24 Like Reply Report
Mhlexy	like the though- I really like the thought (afterall, it's the sameone that counts). I feel Icasa is trying so hard to protect SABC...and it's getting out of hand now. We still need not just variety, but sound radio. We had Capital Radio 604 and it's sale was highely advertied (ending up not getting a buyer - as suspected). Radio Bop (too many conspiracies)... Icasa must catch a wake-up train...(before radio and TV become Govt communication department extension)...still don't get it why we still not have independent radio station enjoying nation-wide coverage like SABC does...only Govt can free the airwaves (if we struggle for it). Posted on 11 Aug 2004 15:39 Like Reply Report
Dialled out	We don't need choice....... just quality - You are right on Radio GaGa! I am a young 30 year old in the fashion industry, who used to love to listen to 5FM but I have to admit, their revamping of DJs and line up is atrocious. If you are not being screamed at in the morning you are subjected to the immensely annoying lack of intellectual abilities of their immature afternoon drive home male host. Why they haven't seriously looked at Katherine and Lee Anne as DJs I have no clue! Those 2 ladies have class and a wonderful sense of humour and wit. Sasha come-on teach these newbies/fakes a thing or to - they need it! Why don't I just listen to my CDs you ask? Well, because like many of my fellow South Africans we do like to know what is going on out there and would like to be entertained. YFM you are my choice of station on my drive home - I may not understand all the lingo but your funky mix of local and international tunes totally rock & you have the sassiest DJs both male & female. Posted on 11 Aug 2004 15:40 Like Reply Report
Alan	Contact me- I have the answer that is if you would listen to satellite radio. My contact info is alan@sportsguild.org my websites are www.smart-fm.com www.sportsguild.org Suport me and just my be your dreams will come true. Alan D Munro TeLL 011 475-2687 Posted on 11 Aug 2004 23:00 Like Reply Report
Moodswing	Mornings- I can handle about everything, the bad music, sometimes good music and the jokes and conversation as well. But the mornings, come on??!! As I drove to work today, a Thursday morning, tired of the week, frustrated 'cause I am stuck in traffic and would enjoy some good music or subjects. One station said they wanted to talk about what you can take out of a hotel room, (that I can handle), why Bush did it and the meaning of life. If I want to depress myself in the mornings even more, I will ask myself that question. Play music, the subject, jokes, whatever, put the workers in Jo-burg in a good mood in the morning. Posted on 12 Aug 2004 11:31 Like Reply Report
Ex-Tuks FM music programmer	Agreed, but you'll have to emigrate to get it...- When Tuks FM started broadcasting 24/7 (ok almost, the graveyard jocks sometimes fell asleep/got too drunk/didn't pitch/got arrested etc.) this was exactly the idea. But then the IBA (aka ICASA if I remember my acronyms) happened, and we had to play 20% SA content, plus cater for all in our rather-large catchment area (yes, the transmitter was always set to more than 100W, bite me 5FM!). Still, we succeeded in competing with the big boys with student volunteers as our only staff and annual turnover of under R500K. So no matter who's in charge in SA, the rules are either too conservative or too PC, and real market forces don't apply. 5's lost the plot long ago, especially by employing Gareth (sorry, he's one of ours) and not replacing the old-guard with really fresh personalities. At least Richard's (also ex-TFM) on your list, even though Highveld (or shall I say Mansfield) sent him packing a few months ago... You can always raise a few hundred million, buy Kakaranda and rip it's pop/country/MOR/easy-listening heart out, replacing it with a rocking pacemaker ;-) If buy it, they will come... Posted on 12 Aug 2004 17:10 Like Reply Report
Ex-Tuks FM music programmer	Meant to say "If U buy it..", and I believe Victor was also on of 'ours'...- Posted on 12 Aug 2004 17:31 Like Reply Report
Bianca	Freedom to choose?- While I do enjoy many of the songs on your playlist, you will find that most of the stations you just bashed play those songs... often. The Counting Crows, Maroon Five and The Eighth World Wonder and I'm sure many others are all playlisted (and played ad nauseum) on 94.7 for one. As for your other opinions on the state of Gauteng radio, while they are noted, all they are is opinion. If everyone felt the same way as you do we would only have one radio station and freedom to choose would go right out the window! Posted on 13 Aug 2004 07:30 Like Reply Report
Nic	You can choose anything you want...- ....as long as its pop or hip hop.... Pity. Posted on 31 Aug 2004 09:30 Like Reply Report
Current Programme manager	Duke is the way 2 go- The answer as someone mentioned earlier is to bring Anthony Duke back into a programme manager position. he is currently involved in training for the SABC but no one eva follows his advice. i have it on good authority that 5 will be up for sale in bout 4 years and could go for bout R500m so start saving now Posted on 13 Aug 2004 09:00 Like Reply Report
DaBob	Why?- Why would the SABC sell one of the stations that earn them the most money? Would the government sell off a national FM station to just anyone? How many stations are earning the bosses of the SABC thier salaries? Use it, don't use it.... Posted on 13 Aug 2004 10:05 Like Reply Report
blue concept communications	5fm is not up for sale- The SABC is currently justfying to ICASA why 5 and Metro Fm will fall under its commercial wing, and the reason Randal Abrahams is the GM for SABC commerical radio, is specifically to grow 5,Good hope and Metro. Posted on 13 Aug 2004 11:58 Like Reply Report
Nic	All we want...- ...is a decent rock station. Is that too much to freaking ask for? Posted on 31 Aug 2004 09:31 Like Reply Report
GODfm	AMEN, Nic!!- Nic - I've read all your posts, and couldn't agree more!! What 5 has done is effectively a slap in the face to ppl who were loyal listeners for years!! They are also playing a lot less local bands, which is a further slap in the face to the industry they claim to support! What's the point of sponsoring some live event or other for bands who's music you never play?? Unbelievable man. As if there aren't enough stations in SA playing hip-hop and RnB!!! :-( I suppose they think playing Seether & AmyLee a million times a day is enough... Posted on 31 Aug 2004 12:21 Like Reply Report
Mo	Yes it is...- Just like you don't like hip hop, some of us don't like Rock. Somewhere you said: Viva la MP3 Player. Who the hell is stopping you from listening to your freaking rock there? Posted on 3 Sep 2004 12:52 Like Reply Report
GODfm	Oh No, Mo!- ...and if the stations were playing ONLY rock music & some idiot told YOU to shaddap & get an MP3 player??? Don't be silly, Mo... the only moan here is that there ARE still plenty of Rock fans who are not being considered. Posted on 4 Sep 2004 15:20 Like Reply Report
Mo	and what about...?- Rock fans aren't the only ones being neglected. There are many genres of music out there and fans of for example jazz do not have a station that caters for them. Unlike the movie School of Rock, the real world does not revolve around ROCK! Posted on 7 Sep 2004 07:59 Like Reply Report
GODfm	eeny, meeny, miney, Mo- If Jazz fans are bothered, it is up to them to have their say - no one is stopping them. Either way, it's easy for u to talk, since clearly YOUR world (just how 'real' it may be is debatable) revolves around hip-hop. In any case, this is an open forum, and I don't see anywhere where it says: "Rock fans may not have their say." So please stop the silliness - u are obviously hearing what YOU wanna hear on radio. No need to rub our noses in it when all we're doing is having a moan because we are not! Your cyber version of a "WAH-WAH-W-WAH-WAH" is getting tedious, to say the least. Posted on 9 Sep 2004 16:13 Like Reply Report
Nic	Halleluja!- Actually, you both have a point. Maybe radio locally needs to change to cater for genres? It worked overseas, having a rock station, jazz station, classical station. GODfm, I love your work, and if you ever want to start a revolt against the pitiful excuses for radio stations in SA, I'm with you. Mo, poor little Mo, you keep fighting the good fight for whatever you listen to, becuase judging from the embedded angst in your postings, the SA radio scene is also depriving you of something. Posted on 26 May 2005 12:32 Like Reply Report
Tuks FM	Deaf...- I don't know what you are moaning about!! try tuning into 107.2 and you'll stop bitching like litle children about no rock and SA music... I would say they are the biggest supporters of rock and SA music in the country.. Posted on 25 Oct 2004 02:30 Like Reply Report
cat	richard perry - Richard perry started at tuks fm too. Posted on 31 Oct 2004 21:36 Like Reply Report
ICEBOX	how 'bout a punch in the face...?- a 2000 cd collection...not bad! GET YOURSELF A GIRL YOU PRE-PUBESCENT IDIOT! and what kind of pussy-assed playlist is that? did you ask your mom to give you hand? masturbate on your own next time! and what kind of a name is tank anyway...are you one of those 200kg lardasses that had no friends in school and sit wathcing cheap porn all day long? an icebox is way cooler, you dolt! i rule! and tuksfm is the best thing since mint-flavoured-rough-rider-yellow-glow-in-the-dark-polka-dot-condoms! Posted on 6 Nov 2004 08:44 Like Reply Report
Rudi	PS - Hey Ice Box...- You Plank! Posted on 25 Jan 2006 22:32 Like Reply Report
Paddi Clay	We old rock chicks have taste and money- I await with bated breath the first radio station to play music for people like me. In fact, I would even welcome a good country and western at this stage. While they are at it how about writing radio news designed to interest the targetted audience. It needs brave programmers and Icasa to bravely break from the transformation mindset and allow true diversity in radio programming. 10 years on and we're still trying to engineer ourselves into an AC format corner. Older listeners don't necessarily listen to Classic. Instead we're forced to turn off and turn to our CD collection. Posted on 24 May 2005 16:44 Like Reply Report
Rudi	RE: Radio Ga Ga- Well said! - On a recent trip to SA I found that most stations has just sort of "lost" it. So much so that dont even listen to SA stations online anymore. I have to admit though that I was rather impressed with the popularity that Tuks FM has these days. But then again - the comment on the DJ's couldn't be more true! We have X-FM and Virgin Radio in London and that is the sort of radio stations needed I think. Both stations are available through streaming audio Switching between different shows provide a satisfactory variety of music. Posted on 25 Jan 2006 19:21 Like Reply Report
Journalist	What do you really think of radio advertising?- I am currently researching Radio Advertising for a feature to be published soon. I noticed that the author of "radio Ga Ga" had some very interesting and honest comments about radio advertising and programming, and I found some of these comments relevant (especially because he is a marketer). Therefore, I invite anyone who is involved in marketing, advertising or radio broadcasting to contact me, and comment on this topic. Do you think that radio ads are good? Do they reach the market at all? Do they threaten radio listenership by driving listeners away? I want to know what you think. Please note that I will not consider comments and statements that are not based on reasonable evidence or reasoning. My email address is: fulviab@systems.co.za. Thanks! Posted on 10 Mar 2006 10:47 Like Reply Report

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Radio Ga Ga

Couldn't have said it better if I tried...-

who died and made you radio god -

baa-baa-

PMS? Whatever!-

PMS sufferer-

And I quote-

Fair Enough, JC! :-)-

Diversification-

Diversification se gat.....-

You are talking crap.-

5FM has sold out...-

5's always been perfect for all the sheep, ramble on!-

Kaya FM - Way to go!-

and Yfm!!-

You've got a choice-

radio sux!period-

You're not alone-

Try this-

Blah Blah...-

Question, Blah-Blah-

Not everyone likes hip hop-

PE Radio-

I agree-

Oi vei Bertie!-

creating a market-

hiphop-

The real problem-

Spot-On-

A decent playlist for our dream station...-

Looks more like the OppiKoppi stage-list...-

You MUST be in a band yourself, dude!-

MARKETS HAVE CHANGED-

hiphop-

Today's Hip hop has no talent-

In defence of radio-

True-

breakfast shows sound the same-

Oh please-

Not incorrect but...-

Communities need their radio-

More stations should be possible...?-

The mountain of Red Tape, Al!-

Lose Lusi Tan-

The point is.......-

Linking Park...-

Who cares about the tchoons if the DJs great?-

why should we learn from uk djs-

What absolute rubbish-

like the though-

We don't need choice....... just quality -

Contact me-

Mornings-

Agreed, but you'll have to emigrate to get it...-

Meant to say "If U buy it..", and I believe Victor was also on of 'ours'...-

Freedom to choose?-

You can choose anything you want...-

Duke is the way 2 go-

Why?-

5fm is not up for sale-

All we want...-

AMEN, Nic!!-

Yes it is...-

Oh No, Mo!-

and what about...?-

eeny, meeny, miney, Mo-

Halleluja!-

Deaf...-

richard perry -

how 'bout a punch in the face...?-

PS - Hey Ice Box...-

We old rock chicks have taste and money-

RE: Radio Ga Ga-

What do you really think of radio advertising?-