Can Colt McCoy Put an End to Quarterback Questions in Cleveland?
July 25, 2011NFL Free Agency: Someone’s About to be Overpaid
July 25, 2011This has nothing to do with Cleveland sports other than it is a reaction to the rumor article from last week that 92.3 FM in Cleveland might be switching formats to sports talk. There were a few of you who bemoaned the potential loss of your favorite rock station. I just wanted to address those people for a second unrelated to sports. This site caters to a certain demographic and I don’t think it is out of line to hit on something relevant to the culture and lifestyle of that demographic. I know change stinks, but it will only hurt for a second if and when 92.3 FM turns off their playlists of alternative rock.
I’ve been scared by change plenty of times in my life. I am a lover of Windows, but I desperately wanted to have a Mac for music recording. When I first started playing with the Macbook Pro I didn’t think I would EVER get used to it. I did and now I love both Mac and Windows.
Last year, I decided as a football fan that it was time to make the switch to DirecTV so I could get the Sunday Ticket. When I turned off those cable boxes and had to resubscribe my DVR to all my favorite shows, it was a pain. When I realized that “On Demand” on DirecTV isn’t really all that “on demand” I was nervous. When I tried to watch Mad Men and realized that DirecTV doesn’t have that channel in HD, I was a bit annoyed.
Then I got used to the new channel numbering system. I paused a show in one room and picked it back up in a different room. I watched an entire season of Andrew Siciliano on the Red Zone channel after Browns games were over. The point is that there are always both positives and negatives to changes. The change with terrestrial radio is different though.
I have never met anyone who has banished regular terrestrial radio from their lives who missed it. Whether they have jumped to satellite radio, their iPod, a music service like Slacker or Pandora, or one of the streaming services on their phone, I have never heard of anyone who could honestly say they missed the seemingly endless commercials between repeated airings of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ radio hits.
I was in Borders over the weekend looking to see if there were any deals to be had as that business shutters its doors forever. It felt a bit morbid to be picking over the remains of something that is rotting away. I truly felt awful for the employees of the store who work there because they love books and helping people find the ones they needed.
Then, I picked up a copy of a book about a certain camera that my wife and I bought recently that I thought would be nice to have as a reference. It was $30 marked down 20% to $24. I picked up my phone, scanned the barcode and checked the price on Amazon and the same book could be had for $17.99 plus shipping. Even on its dying day during a “liquidation” sale Borders still couldn’t compete with Amazon.com.
Radio won’t go down the same way Borders books and Blockbuster Video have, but it will be a different animal. Music is no longer something that needs to be selected and pumped over the airwaves. Long gone are the days where DJs were adding any kind of intellectual layer to the medium anyway. I know it stinks when things change, but go ahead and seek out a new way to get your rock music by another method. It may take a bit of effort, but I have yet to meet the person who made that effort and was sorry or longed for the old way with commercials and a complete lack of choice.
37 Comments
Is this official? I can’t find official word of this anywhere.
Nothing imminent yet.
As a subscriber of both DirecTV and Sirius as well as the user of many of Apple products (as well as Spotify and Pandora), I have no intentions of ever going back to the former. It’s typical evolution fueled by demand for progression and the almighty dollar. And it’s fine by me. Bring on the sportstalk, I’ll catch the new Foo Fighters at another time.
107.9 “The End”
The loss of the original Browns
Two changes I never got over. . . probably never will
Put me in the group of people who left dinosaur radio behind and have never, not even for a second, regretted the decision.
Same with DirecTV. The NFL Sunday Ticket is one of the greatest inventions in human history.
Barring a few decent songs/albums, alternative rock was an unfortunate moment in music history, so the less it’s on the airwaves the better for humanity.
Replacing it with Cleveland sports chatter would be quite a coup, even though sports yaking is not exactly a huge improvement over the bleating misery of alt rock.
Music radio has been garbage for a long time. I actually kind of liked 92.3 for a while, mainly cause it played a lot of the music I used to listen to when I was growing up. But something about having to listen to the Red Hot Chili Peppers 3 times an hour has kind of turned me off.
92.3 is a far cry from “alternative” rock. It’s just another pop rock station playing the same overexposed crap that all the other radio stations are playing.
A switch to sports talk radio cannot come soon enough.
Craig, you have a misunderstanding of liquidation sales in the big box store economy. They don’t actually have to sell that book now. It’s not a loaf of bread, someone else will take it off their hands and if they could have lured you into paying $23 for it that’s just gravy. Just like regular sales, liquidation/going out of business/outlet sales are just another form of hype to drive business just not business that’s going to drive that particular company into the future. There are no deals until the last few days and by then a whole busload of schmucks have come along and taken most of the good stuff thinking they got a deal. I don’t know the particular Borders business model but it’s possible Borders doesn’t even own that book today or ever.
@V 107.9 “The End” was my all-time favorite station- I still remember the day when they played REM’s “it’s the end of the world..” for a full 24 hours.
On the plus, maybe 92.3 will allow for more time from local talent like T.J. Zuppe, and potential for WFNY to get some segments?
@Grif_E you make a lot of good points. It’s just that as information access gets better and better, these stores can’t sell enough convenience or find enough ignorance to survive.
The worst one ever is the HDMI cable markup at Best Buy. Charging upwards of $50 $100 for the cable that connects your DVD player to your TV is/was highway robbery and it seems the world has finally (mostly) caught on to the madness and said no to it.
As someone who was a music radio DJ for over 10 years here in Cleveland, it makes me sad to think another station is dying, but it really is a formality – almost like pulling the plug after a patient has been long brain-dead.
As DJs, for years we were getting more and more restricted as to what we could play and what we could say. The final straw came for me when we were told that for the next 3 months we could not change a single song, change the order of any songs, and when we had a break to keep it really short. So that meant we’d be hearing “Layla” every day. Get a monkey to do it. They didn’t need me anymore.
There was a time when DJs were true musical mentors and I miss those days. My hope it that with some of the new technology, there might be a way to bring live personalities back in to places like Pandora (or something similar). I like the idea of a PERSON turning me on to a new song, not just an algorithm.
But the past is the past and the future comes even quicker these days. Those that are happiest are the ones who can adjust and look at the positive. Here’s hoping for a brighter future.
I quit the (music) radio in 1996 and never looked back; too many commercials, too much repetition, too geared to the lowest common denominator. Glad my options have increased in the last 5 years.
@AD6, Ugh, I will also never forget that day, except it made me hate that song (I was also trapped in an art class where we had a radio, but could only pick one station. Thus we had to listen to the song 5 times in a row before the teacher conceded).
@Craig Best Buy employees get those same cables for around $4. The markup on HDMI is ridiculous
Thanks for the comment Kasey. I never really had that relationship with a DJ growing up, but I had a few different influential record store owners over the years. The indie record store is another thing that died and there was no hope for saving it. Yeah, it made me a little bit sad, but it was inevitable.
Now, I mostly get my recommendations from blogs like Stereogum and Pitchfork. I use services like Slacker and Spotify along with Youtube, Amazon and iTunes.
Modern technology has actually helped me find music from people I actually know too. This site alone, between Denny, Andrew and DP I learn about new bands all the time. I live in Cleveland, two of those guys live in Columbus and one in Washington D.C. To think that I can get a lot of my new music from a geographically distributed network of (mostly online) friends is pretty incredible.
So, yeah, I’ll miss the radio and my indie record stores a little. But I’ll do it while listening to the new Bon Iver that Denny recommended and that I can’t stop listening to even though they NEVER would consider playing any of it on the radio.
Great article!
Even satellite radio I’m quickly growing tired of. I love it for the NFL network during the football season, but I think I’ll start cancelling it between February and August.
I’ve been using Spotify via my phone to stream music. After trying to use it like a big iTunes, I realized that’s not what it’s for. Instead, I’ve been making playlists of HUNDREDS of tracks that I use as genre or period-specific radio stations. So now for instance instead of a classic rock radio station with a DJ and commericals, I have a station with every song and every album I’ve ever enjoyed from 1960-1990, with every song vetted by me so I always know I’ll enjoy the next track.
A caveat, though. Since I’ve had a Verizon smartphone for a while, I still have the unlimited data to do this. Unfortunately, with that option no longer available, my solution isn’t going to be feasible for everyone.
92.3 is the one of the few stations in town that doesn’t follow the “script” of what they have to play. They’ve played some obscure songs that I’ve requested via Twitter. The most memorable for me was a Pearl Jam hidden track called “4/20/02” in honor of the anniversary of Layne Staley’s death. You won’t hear that songs on Sirius, Pandora, or any similar format.
@humboldt – If find alternative music to be unfortunate, I’m curious as to what you listen to.
@humboldt. I’m glad you think your sweeping claims and generalizations about one genre of music are fact and accepted to be true by the general public.
Chances are, if you’re under 35 years old, a lot of the music that played on 92.3 was music that many of us grew up with. Alternative particular music is not really offered on any other stations in Cleveland and being that we are the “Rock n Roll” capital and everything, I think its a shame that a genre of music that may be important to some (obviously not others) may not even be offered. More sports talk alternatives might be a nice change of pace, but does it have to be 92.3? Don’t we have like 234230498^3 country stations?
“This site caters to a certain demographic …”
Discuss, please.
Why do I feel like you are setting a trap, Harv?
Haven’t listened to 92.3 since 107.3 switched to its current format last year. I’m kind of surprised it has such a devoted following here.
I think you’re completely missing the point of radio. Radio has elements of personal connection and local understanding that internet stations could never have. It’s fine that your opinion is different, but the tone of this article is a bit much. Please take some time to see the other side of things: http://thoughtcatalog.com/2011/eulogy-for-an-alternative-rock-radio-station/
@NJ, I agree that radio USED to have that, but this station in particular gutted the staff, uses national announcers to list songs and titles and has a pre-formatted playlist that is almost completely unbending. There is no local personality left in the radio business because they felt it was cheaper to streamline it and turn most stations into broadcasted playlists with commercials.
If anything, they will get some of that personal connection and local understanding back if they switch it to a sports talk channel.
@Boomhauertjs –
I’m in my late 20s, so grew up with the alt rock movement – it was the music I was probably “supposed” to like. Even so, I always found myself gravitating more to ’60s music, which felt more life-affirming, more layered with harmonies, and more substantive than the Soundgarden, Chili Peppers, Nirvana, etc that were on our airwaves as kids.
Generally speaking (and remember, we’re speaking about a whole genre here), I found the sound to be depressing, understated, and dull. Whereas rock-and-roll in the ’60s channeled the whole progressive atmosphere of that era and was creative and experimental (just listen to Revolver or Sgt Pepper by the Beatles), alt rock seemed to channel the cultural ennui of the fat and prosperous 90s. It was guitar-heavy and ponderous, not real diverse in terms of gender/ethnicity, and there was an unfortunate trend towards lead singers not really singing, but bleating (pick any Pearl Jam or Nirvana song for instance). It was fine; it just didn’t spark me at all.
Truthfully, I felt much more connection to the hip-hop scene, which was at least channeling the energy of urban America and, in some cases (see Tupac’s “Changes” for example) trying to generate not just noise, but new values.
I don’t begrudge any people in our “demographic” from liking alt rock. But I would argue that, objectively, 60s rock was much better, and that your emotional connection to that era of music is much more a function of it being woven into your youth. I remember first listening to Beatles albums when I came home exhausted from football 2-a-days in the late 90s, and am eternally grateful I discovered that era’s music as a lifeline out of a decade dominated by alt rock.
I get that this is an opinion site, and I really enjoy the banter, but your argument for the end of terrestrial radio has one big flaw…reality
Regular radio (yes, even music radio) reaches 93% of all Americans weekly. While I agree with earlier sentiments that it hasn’t always been fun to be a DJ over the past decade or so, that’s because programmers have found a way to get the biggest audience possible…by delivering the best stuff often enough that you will hear it when you tune in. If you want deep cuts, flip on your ipod. Thats okay. I listen to my iPod in the car too, mixed with regular radio, CDs, pandora, etc.
Satellite radio is hardly part of the future. Last I checked, they don’t even hit 5% of the total audience, and because they paid out the nose to get stern, AND to get trial memberships in all those new cars, they are constantly on death’s door.
Again, I know I’m on my soapbox, but I just thought I’d set a few things straight. Also, that 93% is up a point or two from the 70’s when “radio was good.”
I don’t think Craig was arguing for the end of anything, just stating his understanding of the fact that CBS would rather be one of two sportstalk stations than one of countless music stations. Just as corded car phones weren’t the future of telephonics, they did pave the way for what is now a dying technology in land lines. Pandora, Sirius, Spotify, etc may not necessarily be the exact future, but they sure are not helping those attempting to make money in the FM space.
Also worth noting, how much profit a company makes only matters as an investor. The end consumer is a fickle beast; provide the best content and you’ll get the ears/eyes.
Good article/discussion, Craig. While I miss the radio of my youth, which was basically WMMS in the late 70s/early 80s with Kid Leo among others, radio as we knew it was dying long before the Telecommunications Act of 1996 finally killed it off.
I’m another one who left terrestrial radio as soon as I can in the late 90s. Though I didn’t have access to Sirius or XM yet, I had a friend at the time who turned me on to Audiogalaxy and Napster (before they were shut down/reconstituted), and I finally found a lot of the creative, original (indie) stuff that I was looking for. I now mostly use Grooveshark while online, as well as listen to Sirius XMU and the Underground Garage (with Kid Leo!) in my car, among other stations. As everyone has said, there are so many outlets for music today, good and bad, even while driving, that terrestrial radio, and FM in particular, isn’t needed.
@Scott
Now that is a well-reasoned argument. I will be the first to tell you that there are BAD radio stations out there. However, I don’t think the providers you listed will replace broadcast radio, because good radio stations provide a good product…local content (news, traffic, weather, local personalities, event coverage, etc.).
In a way, I’m glad the competitors for radio have arrived, because they have forced terrestrial folks to adapt and do better. The good companies are doing just that, and their ratings reflect those efforts.
I guess I just think blanket statements to the effect of “well…satellite radio exists. Kiss your fm goodbye” are intellectually lazy. After all, tv was supposed to kill radio, just like tapes, recordable CDs, mp3 players, etc. I only believe in the concept of “tragic inevitability” when it comes to Cleveland sports.
No trap, Craig. Until reading that assumed WFNY casts its net toward a certain, more thoughtful type of sports fan. Had no idea it was geared toward a younger crowd. Will read stuff here with a different eye now.
Timely discussion with the passing of Jane Scott, RIP. Kasey is right about everything. The right DJ gives you something Pandora, Spotify and even your own playlists can’t.
I’m really not seeing the point of this article, other then attempting to offend those of us that appreciate the current 92.3. How about concentrating on sports and leaving the commentary on the future of radio to people who are at least informed on the topic.
There it is! I couldn’t believe it took this long for someone to try and ruin a nice productive, fun conversation by attempting to lock us into a tiny little box. And because I talk about sports primarily I am to leave the commentary on ANYTHING else to those who are informed.
Guess what? I have probably listened to more radio – per year of waking life – than anyone else who doesn’t drive for a living or actually work in radio. I have been a student of it for years and years because I have an interest in the business side of pretty much everything. I am also a ridiculous geek when it comes to music including, writing, playing, recording and consuming.
So what are your credentials, sniper?
Zero tolerance for this kind of inane anti-logic.
Harv, if our readership was “sports only,” I’d hope to think my 1,500 words on Colt McCoy would have garnered more than a fraction of the discussion this piece did. I don’t think this topic is necessarily “younger” as it is progressive, an adjective that easily applies to the very mission of the arena this site covers on a daily basis.
I for one personally believe myself that there is no place for anything but sports. Sports=awesome
92.3=not sports=not awesome
Please leave the opinion-having to those with degrees in opining.
I have moved on to CD’s and get this (some of my old school metal cassettes) for pretty much ALL my music needs. As far as sports talk on the radio…I prefer the breed that is not quite dead: LOCAL!!! Unfortunately, in NE Ohio we have been stuck with ONE option for a few years…at least during the business day and that is WKNR. They NEED competion for listeners as they have gotten FAT & SLOPPY over the years, just like Greg Brinda (a perfect analogy). Tired, bloated and sounding like he did before he was fired a couple times – one has to wonder why he is still on the air? Aaron G., producer and noted LOUD MOUTH, tool on Tony Rizzo’s RBS, has seemingly gotten drunk on his “power” at the station. I love how the opening says something about how the show is coming from the “state of the art studios” and they have issues almost daily. I welcome 92.3FM if for no other reason then the fact that WKNR REALLY treats their fans BADLY. Me & my friends have not called for YEARS…Aaron G., Brinda and even Reghi/Roda have taken hanging up on callers to an art form. Guess what boys: We don’t need you any longer!!! We can listen to Munch early and MOVE over to 92.3 for ANYTHING they have to offer…it would have to be better then what WKNR currently offers!
The program Director, Jason Gibbs, seems to be as useful as tits on a bull. Nothing ever changes and they run the MOST annoying promo spots on the planet featuring several hosts hanging up on callers. JUst the visual of a disgusted Greg Brinda angrily haanging up on a caller can bring stomach bile up into ones throat. Funny how the 20th anniversary dealio they are running now says something like: “what better way to be heard then to come up with a logo depicting the 29th anniversary”. It better be a good drawing as most fans will never actually get on the air to voice theri opinion and a back & forth conversation never happens!!! They treat LOCAL sportstalk like a national show and that is not going to cut it in sports crazed NE Ohio! The logo should be of a current WKNR listener with Brinda or someone on the air rambling on & asking himself what a caller meant..after rudely hanging up on them…the listeners ears are bleeding. Hopefully, not for long! Welcome 92.3FM and quality sportstalk in NE Ohio!!!
@Craig
For someone who claims to be in the know your previous statement is littered with lies.
“agree that radio USED to have that, but this station in particular gutted the staff, uses national announcers to list songs and titles and has a pre-formatted playlist that is almost completely unbending. There is no local personality left in the radio business because they felt it was cheaper to streamline it and turn most stations into broadcasted playlists with commercials.”
As someone who has had their playlist chosen not once but twice, I can very much assure you that their playlist is far from unbending. While the staff may be small, this keeps costs down and commercials at a minimum. As for national announcers, the only announcer I ever hear is Nard who is very much local. What information does your “expertise” from listening to radio lend you on this subject?
Finally, as for your sniping comment. I’ve been a regular WFNY reader for years and somehow this awful article spurned me to make my first and now second posts.
The reason that people don’t miss their terrestrial radio is that there aren’t any decent terrestrial radio stations around. They’ve all been replaced by Clear Channel who just keeps buying out every station (they’re even buying off the big players, now). Not that I have any real problem with Clear Channel but their model doesn’t work for providing targeted content. Their overhead is waaaaay to much for any normal market station. The WOXY’s of the world have been “big-boxed” out and with them goes good music.
Search the web. Find the independent stations and support them. We’ve still got a couple in Cleveland. Let’s keep them.
I find it hilarious that the author of the article gets mad and stomps his feet when someone disagrees with him, and yet complains that someone else is putting us in the box. But hey, the appeal to authority always works.