Slats left at the end of last year. He has been replaced by Laurie Daily.
3 Likes
The axing of Talking Lifestyle has been covered on tonight’s episode of Media Watch.
See: http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s4815411.htm
5 Likes
The content has never been quite as advertorial sounding as portrayed by Media Watch. The sound bytes used represent very small portions of what the station has been doing. I’m feeling sore about losing Talking Lifestyle 1278 so soon after we got it last year. The overnight programming (which was axed in January, many weeks ahead of the total axing of the format) was refreshing and not quite like anything tried before. Dale Sindon and David Prior quickly became very likeable voices of the night. Tim Webster and Ed Phillips, though sometimes getting stuck too much with the sponsored content, have served up so many interesting topics that I got very used to my talk radio being about making the most out of life rather than being about politics and the world’s problems. More recently, I finally clicked with John and Garry and now appreciate their banter. And now that diverse set of content is to be replaced with what’s anticipated to be a copycat of content already found on SEN 24/7 and even on RSN (the racing station) during the key breakfast session. The only rationale I can think would make sense of this overpopulating of sports channels would be that eventually SEN will get integrated into a Macquarie sports network, giving it 954 in Sydney and 882 Brisbane as network partner stations. Given previous radio mergers, like the biggest merger 20 years ago (When Austereo and Triple M came together) and given SEN itself just merged with Crocmedia, this could just be a case of the clash before the cuddle. So don’t be surprised if poor old 1278 in Melbourne is just a pawn involved in a much bigger game long-term. I really doubt there’s any sustainable competition between SEN 1116 and a Macquarie Sports Radio on 1278. It will probably be back to music on 1278 before too long.
1 Like
The Sport format won’t work either.
3 Likes
Absolutely, another brain explosion from the Macquarie Morons.
7 Likes
That has a good ring to it… would be a good name for the management indoor soccer team… oh wait, fat old men don’t do sport…
3 Likes
Agreed. Very selective. And old grabs too.
What about another station for horse racing/greyhounds etc? I don’t know much about horse racing, but would there be races not covered by Sky Sports Radio? Then they don’t need to worry about ratings and it would cheap to run. (BTW I don’t support this idea).
Personally, I think there is enough room in the Sydney radio marketplace for a general sports radio station with a local flavour (naturally with a strong focus on NRL and cricket, but also covering things like Swans/Giants AFL games and Sydney FC/WSW matches in the A-League) alongside what Sky Sports Radio does.
Although whether or not the relaunched sport format on the current Talking Lifestyle stations is that remains to be seen.
I’d imagine that at least a majority of thoroughbred/harness/greyhound races are covered by Sky Sports Radio.
Even if they only get figures around 1%, I actually have a little respect for Sky Sports Radio participating in the ratings unlike a certain other commercial station…
1 Like
Understand what you’re saying as a comparison to 2SM.
However, for Sky Sports Radio…
The radio surveys are not designed for specialist formats such as Sky Sports’ on a commercial licence.
As with RSN in Melb and RadioTAB in Brisbane, they can use other research methods to better gauge audience, results and activity than the radio surveys which have a survey methodology suited for high cume, high profile marketing.
Racing stations don’t want nor need such approaches.
1 Like
With 2GB keeping CCT I really can’t see the point in a Sports Station. If the Swans or Giants and other Sports are playing I can understand interest but who in Sydney would be interested in what Collingwood or Footscray are doing. Surely they will have to play Nostalgic 2UE Top 40 or Pete Graham’s Saturday night to fill the gaps. In Melbourne and Brisbane just play Easy L:istening on a continuous loop. Just my thoughts, no offence Melbourne and Brisbane.
4 Likes
Rugby league is the leading winter sport in Sydney by a long shot. Against a league game, it’s a losing battle to run calls of AFL, union or soccer. So if it’s an ‘overflow’ sports station, it won’t be a success.
3 Likes
Exactly my point
3 Likes
I got it, bring back this format.
2 Likes
Back when there was true investment in imaging, not this overseas production jokes we hear on FM today.
Who was the owner of the station during this format?
What was the beginning share under this format, its high point and final full survey? @HUFF and others must have data?
I can now imagine the ‘Solid Gold’ TV dancers doing their thing on the dance floor to this catchy tune - lol.
Or the “Brighter 2UE, Channel 95”
Nah, I think more want to see JOY 954 with full audio response, not the rubbish 7 or 8KHz response that we have now.
Stanley and Linnell displaying their sport credentials?
1 Like
These poor blokes. Well paid but what a dog of a format.
1 Like