They Say the Radio Industry Sucks Now....I Don't Think So!!!

9:10 AM |

For the last couple of weeks in class we have been discussing product and artist management. Since I currently work in radio, I began to think of radio as a product in its own as well as how and why it has seen so many changes throughout the past twenty to thirty years. I came across a video on YouTube that hosts a handful of radio professionals giving their opinion on the current status of the radio industry, and responding to the title of the video, which is “Why The Radio and Music Industry Sucks Nowadays.” I have worked in radio for only 8 short months, but in this time I have become quite fond of my job and the work that I put in everyday. The stories that I have heard from veteran radio executives have had me wishing that I was around for what everyone seems to call the “good ‘ole days.” I have heard stories of account managers making well over six figures by hardly having to even work for the money. Granted, the fall of the radio industry is heavily dependent on the fall of the economy and the lack of funds that businesses now have to invest in advertising, but I’m sure I would have had a great time back in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s when everyone had the big bucks to spend.

Ok, back to the video. I found it very interesting that some of the main points that were brought up in the video directly parallel some of the things that I have heard people recently say about why the radio industry is not what it used to be. Three main points that I took from the video are as follows:

· The guys that are running the radio companies are young guys that are not willing to take risks

o In the past, there were cigar smoking older guys that would invest in ventures not because they put some formula into an excel spreadsheet that told them how risky or not risky that specific venture would be, but because it seemed like a good idea that had good potential to succeed.

· Radio personalities do not have the opportunity to choose the music they want, all music played on-air is pre-programmed.

· The people that make the big decisions are only business-minded, they have no attachment or vested interest in music

As you can see, besides our economy being in a not so great state right now, the radio and music industry has several other factors working against it. I know that I started working in radio because I have a love and desire for music. Hopefully, more people will start to work in this industry for the same reasons as me, and not just for a paycheck; only time will tell. The question I will continue to ask myself and my co-workers is ….WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE IT?!!??! I want to do two things while building my career path. 1) Make a LOT of money 2) Have Fun While Doing It!