Strike … Over!

The Writers Guild of America voted by a 92.5% majority on Tuesday to end their 3-month strike.  Work may resume immediately.

This is good news for radio sales, which can expect television networks to aggressively market new shows as soon as the schedule is ready.   Unfortunately, television has lost viewers — many have come back to radio, many more have spent more time online.  And, as you know, habits are hard to break.  Once you lose a consumer, it’s more difficult to get them to come back.

TiVo Alert – Free Radio on VH1

“Free Radio” is a brand new series on VH1. It’s not about radio pirates or the former CBS “Free FM” outlets – it’s an “improvised comedy series” whose takeoff point is the travails of radio-show intern Lance. I’ll let the VH1 release take it from there: “Lance answers the call to greatness by jumping in to host a popular morning show, when the real host defects to satellite radio.” “Lance’s hosting effort, full of botched celebrity interviews, on-air tantrums and all-around buffoonery, is so spectacularly awful that ratings actually go up.” There’s also the expected “dysfunctional staff” at KBOM, the home of the new “Moron in the Morning” show. Guest shots are from the likes of Kiefer Sutherland, Ray Romano, Tony Shalhoub and Fred Willard. “Free Radio” may not do much for the image of over-the-air radio, but strike-weary viewers looking for anything “new” in the TV listings might dig it – starting tomorrow, February 1 on VH1. Hey, at least none of the radio people in the series is in rehab, which has been VH1’s usual prescription for success lately.

Free Radio series webpage from VH1.

How interactive is your brand?

Mike Bloxham posted a blog to the TV Board last week that deserve’s consideration from our radio brands. You can read the entire story by clicking here. But, here are the highlights:

Harris Interactive [research] that looks into attitudes toward remote-control-based interactive functionality on TV. One finding that surprised me, to the point of being bizarre, was the that 72% of viewers indicated they are currently using their remote controls for simple tasks such as finding favorite programs using the on-screen TV guide, scheduling or selecting DVR recordings and for viewing content on-demand. So that’s 28% who employ the power of telepathy, indentured servants or a long wooden stick? It seems an awfully large number to consign to the losing side of the battle for control of the remote on every occasion. Leaving that aside, though, the highlights were:

Viewers want advanced interactive television functionality across every genre of programming and advertising:

* 72% of those who watch reality TV shows want to interact with those shows

* 65% of those who watch sporting events on TV want to interact with those events

* 66% of viewers want to interact with commercial advertising

* 50% of those who watch drama TV shows indicated that they would be interested in interacting with those shows”

Even if the actual numbers aren’t identical, can’t we assume that a similar number of consumers  want to interact with our radio brands? We have the ability through our websites, text messaging, and the old request line to increase the profile (or at least the perception) of listener-generated content.  Why don’t we use it?

If you do use it, how easy have you made it for the consumer and how much do you promote it?

Less “Idol Worship” in America?

FOX-TV’s premiere of AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 7 is the lowest rated since 2004.   The show received a 13.8 rating (Adults 18-49), down 13% from last year according to Nielsen data.  This despite extensive promotion by the network.  Promotional inventory for programs on hiatus due to the Writer’s Strike, such as 24, was diverted to AI.  This isn’t good news since the second show of the week each season is typically lower than the first.  Many bloggers have also commented on SIMON COWELL’s “kinder and gentler” attitude on night one, although I don’t believe that has anything to do with the ratings.

This news comes on top of top of recent announcements by J/RCA RECORDS  that former Idols KATHERINE McPHEE, RUBEN STUDDARD, and TAYLOR HICKS were dropped from their label deals.

So, how will this affect the decisions of radio programmers this year?   Many of us have spent the past few years scheduling KELLY CLARKSON, DAUGHTRY, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, ELLIOT YAMIN, and even CLAY AIKEN (and others) in high rotation.  Songs like “Bad Day” by DANIEL POWTER even got a second chance at life thanks to exposure on the show, as well as artists from MEAT LOAF to FUEL.

Personally, I’m no fan of the show or the “artists” it produces (although DAUGHTRY has come the closest to winning me over, but that’s another blog).

Let me say now that it’s far too soon to get the first nail ready for the AI coffin.  The show’s 13.8 rating still means 33.2 million people watched — that’s more exposure than many of our radio stations, combined.  Unfortunately, I’m sure we’ll still have new Idols to play in a few months along with past Idols that find a way to stay relevant like KELLY & DAUGHTRY.

And, the show will make us consider at least a few songs from other artists given mainstream exposure by the show.   I just heard a song by somebody named FARRIS or FERRIS on CAPITOL RECORDS that will be the “exit song” for a couple weeks in February.  It’s a boring ballad, but it’s probably a hit.

Meanwhile, check out my buddy GRAHAM COLTON (Website or MySpace) and his song “Best Days” that will be featured on the show February 5.