Cracker by Damian Christie

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Cracker: "It says 'Let's b friends', and it's got a b on it"

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  • Russell Brown,

    The student union was only contributing about a fifth of bfm's annual income by the late 1980s, with adverts counting for the rest. Space in the student union building probably helped (did the station pay rent?).

    I'm not sure if the station pays rent now, but it's years since it got any AUSA funding. Indeed, the expectation is that it delivers a return to its shareholder, the AUSA. The changes in governance structure were an attempt to deliver on that expectation while preserving the station's character.

    Having talked to a couple of people tonight, it seems that the issue is that it's massively easier to sell advertising on a show if it has MIkey's name on it. This has been the case for years. It's not even the ratings per se. It's just that agencies and media buyers don't know anyone else.

    I can sympathise. But in the end, I think you've got to take a stand and tell them they're out of touch.

    So I'd debate that it's all about Mikey's need for a job. It's about the advertising industry's need for comfort. I feel a bit uncomfortable with all this, because I like Mikey and I enjoy talking to him on the radio. But things are getting out of hand, really.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    It's about the advertising industry's need for comfort

    Does anyone do the equivalent of those Q ratings (?) for TV personalities?
    I for one would love to assure those tame agency decison-makers that my ears won't be going anywhere near a radio show featuring Mr Roberts' dulcet tones. Mind you, fellow citizens persist in finding Paul Henry "funny"..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    So I'd debate that it's all about Mikey's need for a job. It's about the advertising industry's need for comfort. I feel a bit uncomfortable with all this, because I like Mikey and I enjoy talking to him on the radio. But things are getting out of hand, really.

    So meal tickets. Symbiotic relationship. Is that good or bad? I don't see that as anything different to other successful concepts of good business/ radio practice but I don't think you should feel uncomfortable or did I miss something as usual. I'm a bit slow. Besides if it doesn't work things will change again eh? :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Eade,

    I can sympathise. But in the end, I think you've got to take a stand and tell them they're out of touch.

    that sounds like a media 7 show.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Or a delegation

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Flipper,

    Its obviously Scientology at work.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2010 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • uroskin,

    @3410: the movies are moving to 12.30am. The midnight Aljazeera news is too popular to be dropped.

    Waiheke Island • Since Feb 2007 • 178 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    BFM National?

    You have to somehow get your hands on a frequency, and then be able to transmit.
    In the end, it's way more effective to just be on the internet.

    Whatever happened to the Sky TV option, I seem to remember it being discussed when I were there. Now, of course, there's Freeview too.
    Damn, I miss it when I'm up North communing with the Cordylines an' I get so sick of the music I hear people playing in their houses, it's so... so.. Rocky pretendy dancy wanky eighties shite most of the time. These people NEED BFM to save their musical souls.
    I reckon BFM should go global and bring us all world peace.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Fanboi

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Andre Alessi,

    Or a delegation

    How about a hikoi from Parnell up to Newmarket, up Khyber Pass, over Newton Bridge to Ponsonby, down College Hill, up Queen St, along K Road to Symonds St and then to the b offices?

    That'd sweep up 95% of Auckland' media folks in its wake.

    Devonport, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 864 posts Report Reply

  • Phillip Magee,

    It is my understanding that most of central Auckland is to be converted to cycle trails to funnel people to Party Central. During the day it will double as a CND office and financial services hub.

    Auckland • Since Apr 2010 • 9 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    @ Uroskin,

    Thanks! That helps.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • George Darroch,

    According to Cheese on Toast, this is the new deal:

    Breakfast with Matt 6-9am

    Morning Glory 9-noon (an extra hour for Charlotte)

    The Wire cut back to an hour.

    New 1-4pm afternoon shows with various hosts.

    Drive with Mikey 4-7pm.

    I know this is not terribly constructive, or original, given the conversation so far...

    What a load of shit.

    I always hated the ego-infested brainless drivel that was Radio Mikey, and loved The Wire, which has been such a bastion of interesting thought.

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Easterbrook,

    I wonder if the intention is that some of the 'lighter' Wire content - the various reviews etc. - will be folded into Charlotte's extra hour? And the politics etc. will stay in the new hour long Wire slot...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 265 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    You made up Stinky Jim and Troy, right?

    Stinky Jim is gonna murder you.

    And nobody could make up Troy Ferguson

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    I shall be voicing my displeasure at the decision to cut the Wire. Not so bothered about Mikey, things move on. But the WIRE... WTF We will be hearing they've been bought out by Sony next.
    A year or so on The Wire and you're ready for National Radio I reckon. As for the no music in the mix, WTF again, you need that music to, a. Stop the average listener from turning off and b. To allow an interested listener time to digest stuff they've just heard.
    I, for one, shall be having words in ears.

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    That'd sweep up 95% of Auckland' media folks in its wake.

    And mine. There would be a bloody wake for me if I walked that far.
    Whaddarya, fit or sommit? ;)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    I always hated the ego-infested brainless drivel that was Radio Mikey,

    Jeez, and Sacha said I was cruel.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Easterbrook,

    And nobody could make up Troy Ferguson

    Though he is kinda like the Boogeyman. In the nicest possible way.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 265 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Barnes,

    Ahh, the old days. I remember when I used to do the time for BFM. I'd have to go to London, write the time down in my best writing and post it to them, first class post. You can't cut corners with accuracy you know.
    BFM has always been famous for its reliability in this respect.`

    Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report Reply

  • Imogen Neale,

    OK so as an x-WIRE host I'm not going to be objective but I don't think cutting the WIRE back to one hour is a flash idea... esp as it's more likely to be 30mins once you take care of all the 'must-do's' on your show's run sheet... intros, outros, stings, adds, news...

    Although if you tuned in at 6am and got to 4pm you would have had hours and hours of talking... HOURS (going by the above model). And then you get an afternoon show (talking) and Mikey (more talking).

    Perhaps somewhere in there b should cut listeners a real break and just play music...?

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2 posts Report Reply

  • Mark Easterbrook,

    The other thing with a 1 hour Wire - a lot more pre-recorded interviews, when the guest you want is only available at 1.10pm (for example), not within your tidy hour slot.

    And if they really are chopping out the music, when is the host meant to get a breather from the previous interview, refocus, and get ready for the next? During an ad break?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 265 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Longer ad breaks, that's what's needed :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Damian Christie,

    As a wire host for some years (on a good day by far my favourite show to do, on any of the radio stations I've worked on, ever) I have to agree that cutting the show back to an hour isn't great. Charlotte's show is expanding, as are the 2-4 shows, and for some reason the Wire is cut back? Doesn't seem necessary, or make sense.

    On the other hand, I would say to comments such as @Mark's above, plenty of shows on other stations go from interview to interview. Checkpoint is one that springs to mind. Although they do also have reports from reporters. But for an hour show, it's not impossible. Which is not to say it's desirable. And Wire hosts are music lovers too - I would have hated not being able to play my favourite tunes.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1164 posts Report Reply

  • Chris Widdup,

    And how the hell will Troy's show (Rock and Roll Wire) work without music?

    Auckland • Since Apr 2010 • 2 posts Report Reply

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