http://packerblog.radioamerica.org The Secrets of Programming Talk Radio Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:14:29 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Here come the holidays and as program director you are stretched thin with a long to-do list to complete as you wrap up the year. Believe me, “been there, done that”! So I want to give you a little break and help you launch the New Year in ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=111 In Talk Radio, TSL, the amount of time spent listening by the audience is critical. And the good news is that growing a talk show by increasing TSL doesn’t need to cost a dime! However, trying to attract new listeners (new Cume) can mean investing a lot of marketing dollars ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=110 Ear Candy” is one of the key ingredients talk hosts use to keep listeners stuck on their shows. It’s the sticky stuff that makes up part of the magic that pushes the emotional hot buttons of listeners and helps build audience and thus ratings! Over the past few weeks I’ve ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=109 N/T PDs: This Month we tune-up the “I” and “T” factors. I-FACTOR #1 The “24/24 Fresh Test” A talk show with a high “I” (informative) factor will meet the “24/24 Fresh Test”. The content of the show will be packed with FRESH information that is of IMMEDIATE interest to the target ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=108 N/T Program Directors: For the month of July we'll cover the "E" factors. How's the E-factor (Entertainment) in each of talk shows? Ø Now more than ever, a talk show must be BOTH informative and entertaining. Does the host have a sense of humor? Do you find yourself occasionally chuckling when you ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=107 Did you see the silly waste of ink from some pundit in the UK blathering that “right-leaning talk’s audience is dying off”? Talk about looking stupid by writing a newspaper column before he’s done his homework! Read the following. Then we’ll take a breath and respond with some facts… "There's really ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=106 Differentiation is critical for establishing and maintaining your station’s niche. One easy way to reinforce how your station is different from the competition and sell the unique benefits you offer is through liners. Just remember: Promise only what you can deliver. NEVER use a liner that does not match what you ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=105 As Yogi Berra said, "It ain't over till it's over". About a month ago Radio America's Roger Hedgecock sounded the alarm on censorship plots being hatched in Washington. The response was incredible. Americans - right, left and center - are angry and want to fight censorship! It remains to be ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=104 QUESTION: What's the most common mistake you hear talent making on the air? PACKER: When a talent falls into a rut. When the surprise factor is gone and the listener can predict what will happen tomorrow on the show, the host is in trouble. The thrill is gone. The listener becomes ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=103 Urgent Programming note to N/T Hosts. Starting now, forget about 24/24. Think IMMEDIACY. At this moment, on my computer’s desktop, one of the windows I have opened shows a financial page. Right now, I can see that GM will open today at $2.89 --- down over 90% from a 52 week ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=102 When’s the last time you tried to monitor every local talk show you air to make sure your station is on target? Unless you lock yourself in a hotel room and do a 24 hour monitor, it’s almost impossible. And that’s only going to give you a one day sample. Here’s ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=100 In the spirit of the holidays, during the month of December, Radio America and I are offering you free access to a programming tool you can share with anyone interested in Talk Radio Excellence. Available free this month are the Packer Smart Talk online training sessions that cover the format ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=95 In its long climb to the top of the format charts, the number of stations involved in some form of News/Talk, Talk or Sports/Talk has mushroomed from around fifty in 1979 to well over one thousand six hundred today! Some are successful, some are not. In reviewing the management styles ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=94 Inside-Out Program Directors focus on changing listener attitude. They believe they have a great radio station that deserves a larger share of the ratings. They think all they have to do is change listener perception. That's the major difference between Inside-Out and Outside-In thinking. Outside-In Program Directors build on audience perceptions ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=93 Yes, it does cost to listen to your radio station! We've all heard the expression that radio listening is free. It's true that the audience does not pay a monetary fee to tune into their favorite station. But, in reality, radio listening costs the audience what is most precious, TIME. TIME ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=92 When your primary competitor appears to be in trouble, and you’ve had a great ratings book, your first impulse may be to break out the champagne and celebrate with your team. After all, the other PD’s loss is your gain. Right? But, after the party, you may ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=89 Congratulations! You are the program director of a music station who’s just been given the additional responsibilities of programming your sister station, the news/talker. To give you some idea of just how exciting and challenging you’ll find your new position, I’ll borrow some terminology from music programming. But, you’ll quickly ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=86 Dateline: – Daily News – New York Radio station WKTU's decision to drop Whoopi Goldberg's morning show may illustrate again that just being famous and well-liked doesn't guarantee a radio audience will tune in. "It's been a long time since celebrity was enough in New York radio," says Sean Ross, vice ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=84 Back in the early 1980’s I noticed that while Television had promos running non-stop promoting their shows, talk radio was doing hardly anything. TV would air 5, and 10 second liners teasing their upcoming local news and 10 and 30 second promos for their shows. I was at Detroit's WXYZ Talk Radio ... http://packerblog.radioamerica.org/?p=3