It's The Content, Stupid

Hollywood had yet another disappointing weekend in a very disappointing year. And golly gee, it's the content, stupid!

"I've been telling people for a long time that I think it's content-driven. I don't think we had a film that jumped out for people this weekend." - Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros.

Gee, ya think?

I've been saying the exact same thing about radio since the day I landed my first gig. My station was getting its ass kicked - an ass kicking we'd earned.

The competition's night jock would go off on two minute tirades about music and life and sex and everything else a young guy was thinking about. My station's night jock would go off on two minute ramblapaloozas about nothing.

Or she'd say nothing at all. Oh god, that was soooo much worse.

The jock across the street would be reliving a date he'd been on the night before, describing the event in fascinating detail. A few drinks lead to the two of them stumbling back to his place, tearing each other's clothes off the moment they walked in the door... they were naked on the floor - not even making it to the bed - when she said words that ended the evening: "Wait a minute, I have to tell you something..."

Meanwhile, on my station...

"That's World Party on [insert station name and boasting to the point of lying slogan here]."

Our music was way off, and half of our dayparts were unlistenable. But they blamed the signal. And the sample. And the weather. (no, really)

Radio and Movies: are we really so different?

There are plenty of Hollywood-Yay-Sayers with a million excuses for a weak weekend, blaming anything but the movies themselves. And we have no shortage of Radio-Yay-Sayers who tout the latest and greatest format gimmicks while listeners tune out.

"Free FM! It's the Next Big Thing!"

Don't tell me about a new name.
Tell me about content.

Just as it is for Hollywood, success for radio is content driven. Period.