Radio Bosses fascination with TV celebrities

heybaby

Is it a sign of abject laziness that radio bosses would rather opt for a TV celeb rather than a dyed in the wool radio presenter? It seems increasingly the case that this option is being exercised. Neil Delamere is now filling for Mooney on Radio one after having filled for John Murray, as has Craig Doyle. 2FM seem intent on creating a radio career for Nicky Byrne, fair city 'star' Bryan murray is a cover presenter on Radio 1's Late Date, 98 FM flirted with the idea of having Keith Duffy on saturday Mornings , (we all know how that turned out), previously Q102 and latterly 4FM employed Ray Shah and now Lucy Kennedy is on the books of Sunshine like her rte stablemate Brian ormonde and tv celebs Amanda Brunker and Ken Doherty.

The psychology behind resorting to employing TV personalities to fill radio roles even temporarily I believe is flawed and unfair to many pure radio presenters in what is a very competitive market already. Radio 1's listeners are inherently loyal because its the state broadcaster and because of the demographic of its listeners and I believe listeners would tune in regardlesss of whether a TV celeb was temporarily hosting a show or an actual radio presenter was given the opportunity. The name recognition of a tv celeb wouldnt add or detract significantly to RTE's lsitenership.

At the other end of the market Sunshine have had a policy of using 'celebs' in an attempt to increase its listenership through the name recognition of these celebs, but judging by Sunshine's figures it hasnt worked, at all, yet Sunshines fascination with celebrity presenters persists. Their latest celeb presenter Lucy kennedy who stood in for another tv host Andrea Hayes recently, was part of one of the worst radio duos ever to take to the airwaves in the form of the Baz and Lucy show on 2FM, yet her career remains unblemished by this in the eyes of Sunshine radio bosses who clearly have absolutely zero interest in using qualified experienced radio presenters even temporarily.

This tv celeb trend is not purely an irish phenomenon, Global Radio in the UK have given Marvin humes from JLS weekend shows on their Capital FM station and reality TV's Mark Wright is hosting Heart FM's club classics.
Now I know this is a celebrity obsessed age but using 'a name' to even temporarily fill the schedule is counterproductive in the medium term and has been proved time and time again in this country to be the wrong decision.As I said, RTE Radio 1 is an anomaly as their listeners it seems are so loyal they will listen no matter who is on air, which really would allow them to use an actual radio person who is less well known by comparison because their figures wouldnt suffer anyway.

Losty Dublin

Two reasons it's done; one is for ratings and the second is to charm in ad/sponsorship revenue, both of which are pulled off the celebs name. You can get away with this on personality radio as people are going for name recognition over proven quality.

NIMAN

Some of the names in this thread just show how watered down the term 'celeb' has become.

Neil Delamere a celebrity? In another universe possibly. Or in his own world.

old hippy

NIMAN wrote: »

Some of the names in this thread just show how watered down the term 'celeb' has become.

Neil Delamere a celebrity? In another universe possibly. Or in his own world.

Never heard of the chap. Mind you, have been away for around 14 years. I do remember the launch of VIP magazine and wondering where the actual "celebrities" were. Liam Fay was lovely, mind.

Trick of the Tail

I absolutely agree with the OP.

It's lazy and deluded.

These people need to realise that radio is a different medium to TV. You can't see the presenter for a start, which means their visual attractiveness is irrelevent.

Moreso, on TV someone else has usually written the script, all a TV bunny has to to is be able to read. Or repeat what's being said in their ear.

On radio, though, you have to be able to think and talk at the same time, and operate the gear.

That's what has been the downfall of many a TV bunny on radio.

Btr

Heybaby, we agree again . UK also fascinated with it . Saw recently that Planet Rock gave Al Murray a show with a Irish producer,

But maybe an unintentionally honest comment from Lucy K' s new employer the other day when hiring her - that she was suited to format radio - ouch !

Greyham

Btr wrote: »

Heybaby, we agree again . UK also fascinated with it . Saw recently that Planet Rock gave Al Murray a show

Yes but Al Murray is an intelligent comedian, these people can work quite well on radio, see Brand, Gervais , and any of the hosts of radio 4 comedy programs