It’s been almost 11 years since I was informed of my retirement from radio. Since then, I’ve watch group ownerships get bigger, consolidations followed by layoffs and all this, while local radio has devolved into an efficient-as-possible money-making machine. Phase out the big-name shows, hire green talent to step in, and slowly but surely become less relevant to the audience that grew up with you.
My latest frustration with the world of radio came during the major league baseball playoffs, when I had to be on the road during one of the games. I surfed up and down my AM and FM dial, past 5 different sports stations and not one was carrying the game. Or any baseball playoff game for that matter. Now, I would expect that in a smaller market, but in Seattle–a market with a major league baseball team. Oh, we want you to be a fan, but ONLY if it’s us.
Radio basically came at me with the question, “So what are you going to do about it?” What they fail to realize is that today, there ARE options. I can download an app and play the game on my phone. Or, if nothing else, you’ve trained me to search for what else is out there. And lookie-there….satellite!
For a $1.83 upgrade charge, I suddenly had all the games in my car, whenever I need to be on the road.
Yes, I already had satellite in the car. Got one of those free 3-month trials and fell in love with the static-free, commercial-free offerings.
I had a lot of fun in my radio days, but this incident is another reminder of why it was probably a good thing I got out when I did. I’m a big believer of “things happen for a reason.” Sadly, the people running radio these days are doing nothing more than cashing out, and trying to make as much as they can while they can.
Just passing along my latest experience and further proof that they just don’t it.
Tim Hunter
Tim Hunter's Wacky Blog 
And a follow up.
My radio brother over in Yakima, Gary Myhre, was quick to jump on this and say, “HEY! We’ve got the games!”
Just wanted you to know little ole Yakima’s ESPN’s station, 1460, carries it all. Below is comments from our IT guy. We ain’t got much but we’ve got sports.
Just wanted to pass along we will be airing Live feeds of National Sports on 1460 ESPN – Yakima.
Feeds including MLB Divisional Series, League Championship Series, and the World Series from ESPN Radio. College Football, College Basketball, and NBA games not conflicting with UW Huskies broadcasts will also be aired from ESPN and other sources as they become available and on-line.
Gary Myhre
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Its frustrating because those of us who got into radio a little late (90s), and have or had the passion, watch helplessly as the “powers that be” make all the decisions (because they always know best) and destroy the industry many of us want to help make better. And now, with a “new breed” of owners, managers, etc. who say they just LOVE RADIO are doing what you described. Since decades of radio owners/companies, have downsized, cut, trimmed, consolidated, etc. a jock cant just pack up and move to the “bigs” or just move to another station because they have all been stripped and ruined with no openings at all.
Whose to blame? The past generations of caretakers who have left us the remains of what was once the greatest gig on earth? My fault because I didnt speak up loud enough and get fired or when I did, was ignored? Is it the internets fault? I dont know but it sure doesnt feel good.
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