Authenticity is an important thing. That is certainly a factor on whether or not I'll tune in to something, or believe someone. I think it's very important in Sports Talk radio, because I think it is very similar to their Jon Stewart example. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, wants to tune in to a radio program or watch a TV show where everyone agrees. Sometimes it's all about breaking the monotony. I do this all the time on the 5 Minute Major. For example, when we do pick-ems', and Scott, Jason, and the Fans agree on who's going to win a particular matchup, I choose the opposite just to create conflict and disagreement. Sure my record this year is awful in pick-em's due to that tactic, but it has opened up the avenue to play jokes on my poor ability this year, and even more conflict. I think PTI and Around the Horn are two shows (albeit TV shows...but PTI is on ESPN Radio) that accomplish fake authenticity well, because I don't really believe Woody Page is that ignorant about sports, I just know he plays a "character" that usually disagrees with the majority to create conflict. Fake Authenticity is extremely important in Sports Talk...in my opinion.
Then, Bill Breen goes on to say that the only fake thing on Sports Talk radio is their promos. They are cliche (which he says in nature are fake) and that promo's seem forced and lame. I don't know how I feel about this. On one hand, I think these promo's are ridiculous because of the stereotyped messages they portray, but at the same time, I pretty much am that stereotype. What do I like...well in a broad sense, I like...sports, women, beer and alcohol, video games, television, and technology. What do most guys like? Sports, Women, Beer and alcohol, technology, television, and cars...so they just play the stereotypes, and I think that describes a lot of men out there, who are primarily your Sports Talk Radio consumers. Is it wrong? No I don't think it's wrong, but if Sports Talk wants to get Female listeners, the culture is going to have to change.
I think the most important revelation in this book is the fact that we may be a few years away from WI-FI in our cars. If we get WI-FI, then that opens the doors to online stations, podcasts, iTunes, Pandora, Last.FM, Lala, etc... What AM/FM stations need to do now is begin boosting their websites to make them easy to navigate and appealing, combined with having exclusive content. If we get WI-FI in cars, than that means traditional radio stations will have so much more competition, and it will be harder for them to succeed. How do you compete with Pandora? Easy, talk/exclusive content. Sports Radio will NEVER cease to exist because it is all exclusive talk content...but will Fox Sports Radio be able to compete against individual podcasts, that will be the question. Who will have more listeners, the Mike and Mike in the Morning, or The BS Report with Bill Simmons? I tell you, if I was a betting man...I'll take Simmons.
Overall, I really didn't agree with this book a whole lot. I found myself really disagreeing with much of this book. I guess I believe the business stuff, but as I said last week, that kind of stuff just doesn't interest me, and it's probably a little over my head. I'm not business minded, but I think I'm creative enough to come up with great content, and to be fun to listen to on the air.
Sidenote...you should have known I was gonna take Tebow in our mock draft after my post last week! Come on Dr. Owens!!!
Even more to the side...sidenote...you should do more radio on Bearcast. Talk Sports with DJ Doc Owens!
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