No News Is Bad News
What’s wrong with FM 89?
On three occasions out of the last five that I’ve tuned to the station for its 6pm news bulletin, I’ve found myself thoroughly discombobulated by the total absence of the familiar jingle and summary of the day’s events. In it’s place: only a tantalising one second hiatus in the music. Every time, I’m left with the impression that a bored technician was considering switching to the news, but at the last minute decided he just couldn’t be bothered.
Has the competition from Hott 107.5 affected FM 89’s news budget, or is this just the station’s usual amateurishness?
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"Every time, I’m left with the impression that a bored technician was considering switching to the news, but at the last minute decided he just couldn’t be bothered."
There is no technician, those FM stations are 'automated' with vintage, early 60's equipment.
Posted by Steve on 01.12.04 at 08:40
I was reminded by a co-worker today to remember which country I lived in after waiting two months for a delivery within Bermuda.... Unsatisfactory service seems to be the norm, and excusable.
Posted by The Molecular Man on 01.12.04 at 09:25
It is amusing to hear XM radio being played on that station after hours too. I guess the other piped in crap they have historically had was costing more than a subscription to XM out the window.
Posted by Somers on 01.12.04 at 09:37
I don't even bother listening to anything other than XM these days. Local radio is just beyond depressing. XM has amazing reception, good programming and costs just $9.99 per month (plus another $1,99, if you want to listen to Opie & Anthony).
Posted by loki on 01.12.04 at 13:30
How is Sirius reception here in Bermuda? Any experience with that? Thanks.
Posted by David R on 01.12.04 at 15:51
Sirius is just as good reception wise. Couple bucks more expensive though.
Posted by Somers on 01.12.04 at 15:54
Personally, I'd caution against sirius. It has a fraction of the subscribers that xm has, the technology is nowhere near as advanced and I don't think that the programming is as strong.
Posted by loki on 01.12.04 at 17:41
Of course, the problem with both XM and Sirius is that you can't get local news on either of them. So still not much good when the ZBM automation breaks down or someone forgets to put the news tape in. Perhaps I should just start blogging about Foreigner and Phil Collins instead.
Posted by The Limey on 01.12.04 at 17:55
loki, you don't think the $500m they spent on Howard Stern was money well spent?
Posted by jake on 01.12.04 at 19:41
I think the money that XM spent on Major League Baseball and College Football was probably a better investment. My opinion is that XM is a more stable company, with a better lineup.
Posted by Tiger Bay on 01.12.04 at 20:04
Well, let's not forget that Howard doesn't even come online until 2006. Aside from that, one has to wonder how big of an audience he'll have on pay radio. Commercial radio is one thing, but how many of his listeners are going to be willing to invests in $300+ radios, a $150 activation fee, plus $12.99 a month to listen to him? I can see the logic in attracting him to Sirius, but I'm not convinced it'll pay off. The fact remains that XM has by far the better programming and, if you're into 'shock-jock' radio, XM has the vastly superior team of Opie & Anthony, as opposed to Stern. Well, we'll see...
Posted by loki on 01.12.04 at 20:04
Along the same line, what happened at The Royal Gazzette? Some is days old and some is same day. I am sure other people who are away are a bit dismayed.
Regards, Bill
Posted by Bill Akin on 02.12.04 at 10:00
Speaking of radio news, I heard on the radio this morning portions of a speech given by Jocelyn Elders to a group of school kids here. (She was the Surgeon General of the US under Clinton, famous for her statements about masturbation).
On the radio she ranted about how our youth need to fight for universal health care.
Umm. Bermuda has universal health care, especially for kids and elderly. Didn't anyone brief her? Tsk tsk.
Posted by Tiger Bay on 03.12.04 at 08:38
Maybe she thinks Bermuda is a US state...like the american tourists who'd 'prefer to drive to Bermuda next time'.
Posted by Steve on 03.12.04 at 11:00
Umm. Bermuda has universal health care, especially for kids and elderly. Didn't anyone brief her? Tsk tsk.
Check again Tiger Bay! Wrong!
Posted by shipstones on 03.12.04 at 23:09
Phil: I don't know if you can get XM or Sirius satellite radio in BDA, but it sounds like you need it.
Posted by Fraz on 04.12.04 at 13:16