It’s like a
disease on British radio.
This ‘let
us know a song title to do with the budget’ business. Or ‘can you think of a song title which fits
this dull news story?’.
I’m not
quite sure what the goal is. Maybe I’m
missing something.
After laborious
trawls for calls - with no integral value in those talk ups whatsoever - I’m feasted with an incessant number
of ways of getting in touch.
Eventually a
few regular listeners with nothing else to do with their lives get in touch with dubious
offerings. They think they’re funny, but
I’m not sure anyone else does
Some presenters
go one step further. They invite us to sort of adjust a title with a weak pun.
Oh, how we laugh when the presenter reads them out.
With all
these things, and in most things in radio, I always ask myself what’s the very
best it can be? If you imagine you got the very, very best contribution, what would it
achieve? A limp passing smile at most?
How does
that compare with a great exchange? A great conversation? A relatable anecdote? A real life
story? A surprise? Something interesting or useful? Or just another great song?
Will anyone really remember this bit of lazy radio in an hour's time? Ah well, it'll get a few texts, and the jock will judge that means someone's listening.
Maybe I’m
wrong. I often am.
Even ‘what’s your favourite biscuit?’ carries more value. At least there’s some nostalgia and
relatability. We all know, frankly, that topic goes wild. And it would probably
be a good occasional idea if you can find a station it hasn’t been done on
recently.
But 'today, we're looking for song titles related to X'? Eugh.
Consultant Dan O'Day
used to say "every link must have a value". I’d love someone to explain to me
what the value in this is. Rae Earl suggests these things are social media mechanics which are being erroneously transferred.
Like everything
in radio, though, there are exceptions. The best presenters can use a mechanic
as dull as the above, or worse, take those callers on-air and turn them to pure
magic.
Just make sure you do – and you’re
one of them.
@DavidLloydRADIO Well said! Constant use of imperative & pleading for SMS, tweets, calls etc sound like telethons: "please, help if you can"— Drew White (@drewsonix) November 24, 2016
@DavidLloydRADIO completely agree! Lazy link to fill space without having to think...— Dave Doohan (@drDoohan) November 24, 2016
@DavidLloydRADIO Is it lazy presenting / producer's or targeting a certain audience. Our local BBC radio station could be in this category.— Richie b bo (@Bloghoudini) November 24, 2016
@DavidLloydRADIO totally agree but admit to having done it on Gold?? Sorry— Tom Ross (@thegoalzone) November 24, 2016
@DavidLloydRADIO And presenters have to make patronising noises as someone suggests Simply The Best when subject is, eg, a sporting winner
— BBCLocal Radio Lover (@BBCLocalLover) November 24, 2016
@DavidLloydRADIO Wish I could research parody songs. Particularly ones that go into two verses.
— James Cridland (@JamesCridland) November 24, 2016
My book 'How to Make Great Radio' is available now
Lincs FM would do this, but only if the song was within their playlist. Which makes it pointless
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