150KTubs - future career in Virgin Radio and other soulful pursuits **Mod: Read OP**

Kingslayer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122270448#Comment_122270448

I can't see Tubs ever being on the kind of money he was on with RTE again. NK may be calling in favours and using his connections to cheerlead for Tubs but the chances of him using his own money to bring Tubs back to Ireland are near zero. Tubridy will probably be covering any costs himself.

NIMAN

THe longer he is away from Ireland, the harder it will be for him to get a job back here.

People are forgetting about him. But they'll remember him enough to get annoyed if he was offered a job again in rte any time in the next 5 years at least.

Best he could do is to return to take up a radio position on newstalk or such. But it would be a brave company to employ him on big wages at present.

animalinside

The youtube views for his bookshelf aren't doing well that's for sure. Usually people expect to get around $2-8 per thousand views, so for the bookshelf that's what - around €5 a video? Maybe due to them being longer videos and able to fit more ads in it might be more but can't be that much.

He's used his various legacy platforms to talk about the series to an audience of millions of people, including a whole article in a major national sunday newspaper, and yet somehow manages to barely make 1k views, how is that even possible? Even if it was just full of farting noises you'd expect there to be more carry-over from millions and millions of people with that kind of advertisment.

I know it's on apple podcast and audible as well, which conveniently don't show numbers, but only youtube has the video and I don't really see the point of not using youtube, that's how I would watch it or listen to it if I had any inclination to. I don't see why numbers on the other platforms would be much greater.

jmcc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122271345#Comment_122271345

The Irish Mail on Sunday isn't a major national newspaper. The way that people read newspapers has changed too. They no longer read every article and some people will glance at the main news section and then go to the sports or other section.

With RTE radio, there is no discernable cost for people who listened to Tubridy's radio show. With his newspaper column, people have to buy the newspaper (or read it online). One involves spending real money just to read his column. Tubridy's podcast is a sponsored one and the sponsor will be concerned about whether the podcast recommendations convert to book sales. If they do, then Eason will continue sponsoring it.

Podcasts are very different to broadcast. With Tubridy's programme on RTE1, he had ample time to promote his book choices to an audience of hundreds of thousands that was listening to the show or even just to RTE1 waiting for the news and weather. Think of it as a "push" model with the content being broadcast to the audience.

With podcasts, it is a completely different model. It is a "pull" model where the audience has to make a decision to actively download and listen to or watch the podcast.

Not all of Tubridy's audience are interested in his book choices. That cuts down the potential market size for his podcast. That changes his podcast from being a general interest podcast like the "Paths To Power" podcast (the most successful NKM podcast) to a niche podcast with a much smaller audience.

Tubridy is no longer on RTE television (the LLS) or national Irish radio. That means that the obvious advertising routes are not available for the podcast. He's on Virgin Radio and the audience may not be interested in having to download or watch a podcast. The syndication deal with Q102 gives him some access to an Irish audience but the same argument applies.

Book review podcasts seem to be popular but for every market leading podcast, there are thousands of also-rans with small audiences. On the Youtube figures, Tubridy's podcast seems to be one of these. Tubridy is no Joe Rogan.

The only podcast episodes with significant audience figures are the ones with Vogue Williams and Doireann Garrihy. They are influencers in their own rights and have their own audiences. Those audiences seem to have "tuned in" to listen them rather than Tubridy. Eason might have sold a few more books as the result of their appearances.

Tubridy is in a position of being formerly famous. He and NKM have to keep his media profile current in Ireland if he is to have a future in Irish broadcasting. But with so much younger competition coming up through the ranks and his former RTE audience staying with RTE's new programmes and presenters it is like Tubridy's RTE audience was never Tubridy's audience.

Even a book show or Jazz/Lounge music show on Lyric FM seems out of reach for him at the moment.

Regards…jmcc

NIMAN

Great summary.

He is quickly becoming yesterday's man.

retalivity

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122271741#Comment_122271741

Becoming? He's into last week at this stage.

I see threadbans don't appear to be applicable anymore either.

jmcc

It is coming up to the one year anniversary of the date when Tubridy was taken off RTE.

Regards…jmcc

yagan

You just reminded jmcc, was in Eason's the other day and his annoying ad isn't playing anymore. Complaints perhaps?

Tork

Tubs's London Diaries can be read for free on evoke.ie every Sunday - nobody has to buy the Irish Daily Mail if they don't want to. It's as good a newspaper as any for him to have a column in. The Sunday Times and the Business Post are paywalled and the Sindo is somewhat paywalled. Unless he wants to appear alongside reports about the Kinahans in the Sunday World there isn't anywhere else for him to go.

One of his biggest problems now is that his platforms are largely online. He has an older listener base and it's hard to know how many of them know or want to know about online radio and podcasts. While most older people I know use smartphones these days, they don't see them as a way to access entertainment. For them, radio is the stations the FM radio in the kitchen picks up. There's no way many of them will bother to seek out Q102 or the podcast. They'll probably just listen to Oliver Callan or switch to the local radio station.

Paths to Power is a completely different kettle of fish. It's worth seeking out if you've got an interest in politics and it's better than Matt Cooper's actual radio show. Ivan Yates is a better pundit than presenter and even if you don't like him, his opinions are worth hearing. Tubs's book podcast, on the other hand, offers nothing new to anybody. Aside from it being one of many book-related podcasts out there, interviews with his guests are ten-a-penny. If you've turned on the radio or TV at all over the past decade you'll have heard many interviews with these authors. Sometimes they'll come onto his podcast because they're trying to flog a book and are doing loads of interviews anyway. Tubs isn't good at getting the best out of his guests, so listeners are unlikely to hear anything new or interesting.

jmcc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122272225#Comment_122272225

Or the podcast and ad are not converting into book sales.

Regards…jmcc

Hyperbollix

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122272342#Comment_122272342

Apart from a distinct lack of broadcasting skills and nous, Tubridy's major problem has always been he is as fake as a nine pound note. All his interviews lack depth, any human connection with the guest or any wit or charm. This is compounded by the fact that he tries to compensate by overdoing fake human connection, fake wit and fake charm.

I sometimes listen to Brendan O' Connor's snippets in podcast form where he normally does one half hour long-form interview every weekend. Now Brendan is no radio titan, but he does have a 'real' quality and has no problem with speaking to all his guests informally whoever they may be, whether Hollywood star or a person running a charity etc. He cuts all the bullshít out and brings everyone down to a human level that is disarming and compelling to listen to. This was highlighted last weekend when Brendan had someone sitting in for him as he is, like most RTE superstars, taking his month to 6 week long summer sabatical. (I think I can hear Tubs crying from London at the thought of it!)

Anyway, his stand-in, while competent, was robotic and didn't seek to really get under the skin of the guest, in this case Russell Crowe. It was just a stilted, one way conversation where Crowe got to talk at length and promote his live music show. It was nothing radio, just filler. I always found Tubridy to be exactly the same, a purveyor of tedious filler. Like a Gen X version of the Two Johnnies, without the burden of any humour. That's all well and good and there is surely a job in media for such a person, but it was never as the top broadcaster at RTE, commanding the biggest salary. That was the biggest pisstake of the last 25 years IMO. As you pointed out, the figures for his BookShelf podcast just bare this out. Without the institution of the national broadcaster giving him a status he doesn't deserve, he is precisely nowhere. There are people podcasting out of their box rooms with no name recognition whatsoever that command 10 times those figures per episode. Tubridy has been a national figure in Irish media for 25 years and this is the best he can do since leaving RTE?

Tork

Hyperbollix wrote: I sometimes listen to Brendan O' Connor's snippets in podcast form where he normally does one half hour long-form interview every weekend. Now Brendan is no radio titan, but he does have a 'real' quality and has no problem with speaking to all his guests informally whoever they may be, whether Hollywood star or a person running a charity etc. He cuts all the bullshít out and brings everyone down to a human level that is disarming and compelling to listen to.

That is also why Tommy Tiernan's show has done so well. Like Brendan O'Connor, Tommy Tiernan is no broadcasting titan. What he is good at is sitting down and chatting to people and letting the conversation flow. Tubridy frequently comes across as somebody who approaches an interview with a list of questions in his head which must be answered no matter what. He isn't instinctive as a broadcaster and he is surprisingly incurious for a man who makes his living from talking to people.

HildaOgdenx

but he does have a 'real' quality and has no problem with speaking to all his guests informally whoever they may be, whether Hollywood star or a person running a charity etc.

I always enjoyed Brendan O'Connor's tv show. I think it was because he has an ability to relate to people, as you have described it.

Graham Norton, to me, is the ultimate example of being able to go with the flow when a guest comes out with something maybe more serious than was expected. He has the advantage of the show not being live, of course, but tbh, I think very little fazes him.

Gaybo almost thrived on the unexpected. He handled a panel of speakers on a regular basis, back in the day. No guarantee as to what might be said. As an aside, the show he did in honour of The Dubliners stands out in my mind as a masterclass in presenting.

Most good presenters have moments where I am sure they wished they had handled things differently or said something other than what they said. But that's what makes someone human too and enjoyable to watch.

Tubridy seemed so afraid of anything that he wasn't 100% scripted and prepared for. That really robs a talk show of life and spontaneity. And to think that he HAD to be paid so highly for fear he would leave RTE, ha ha ha - [sarcastic laughter], because it sure isn't funny. And never was.

As if any other station would pay him, Darcy, Duffy and the rest anything like what they were (and are) getting in RTE. He was lucky to get the Virgin gig, however long it lasts.

podgeandrodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122274654#Comment_122274654

Tubridy can't even do the sitting down bit without squirming and shifting uncomfortably in the seat like there's fleas down there going at him.

yagan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122274908#Comment_122274908

The best that could be said of tubridy as a lls host was that he was a place holder.

HildaOgdenx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122275237#Comment_122275237

A very very very expensive placeholder!

NIMAN

For 14 years.

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122274654#Comment_122274654

exactly this, there isn’t one hint of genuine curiosity in Ryan’s voice, that is present in the broadcasters we actually enjoy listening to. The list of questions to be ticked off, one by one, no sliding off piste for a moment’s tangent. Maybe part of it is that he can’t do time management, ie if he were to venture into a tangent he wouldn’t have the focus to look at the minutes and seconds ticking away whilst actually thinking in his feet.

Ash.J.Williams

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122273996#Comment_122273996

Russell crowe is to music what tubridy is to broadcasting.

nonetheless

And Tubridy is to broadcasting what The Acolyte is to Star Wars.

AndyBoBandy

just listened to his link there as I'd a few minutes to kill between some calls..

100% Irish orientated (Mary flying from Dublin airport, Cork, GAA, Paul Mescal, GAA shorts, Mary again), voice (tone/volume) up and down like a yoyo, half finished sentences/words… an absolute mess….

oh and some interview he did with a Vicar..

"but don't worry if you missed it as it's on The Ryan Tubridy Show Podcast, which 'drops' on Friday at 1pm"

tohaltuwi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122270840#Comment_122270840

to make things VERY clear, ButtersSuki, whom I know, and who was site-banned, has NEVER re-registered as Alzer100 or any other user handle.

leath_dub

deleted - wrong thread

leath_dub

Deleted

nonetheless

For a presenter and a radio station that is supposedly trying to improve their listenership figures - What did they do today? After 12:25pm they brought in one of The Times obituary editors and discussed death. A guest discussion which cascaded into a depressing extended link for Tubridy giving him opportunity to drop in Lee Harvey Oswald, question the editor about savoury and unsavoury obituaries and obituaries over shadowing other obituaries.

Oh Jesus, this is supposed to be a feel good radio station?

Virgin Radio UK AND it's presenters are receiving thousands of messages from the UK listener indicating that the show is utter tripe and they hate him and his only purpose on air is an attempt to appeal to an Irish audience which according to a Virgin Radio source - that is not working either.

It seems that the PD is asleep behind the controls of a runaway train at speed heading straight for a terminus station.

leath_dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282894#Comment_122282894

Can't be a Tubs' show without a bitta death and/or cancer

Kingslayer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282942#Comment_122282942

Join me next week when I'll be hosting an outside broadcast from a funeral home. lol

AndyBoBandy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122282969#Comment_122282969

"and the following week the roadshow takes the ferry across 'the pond' where we'll be broadcasting from Glasnevin Cemetery"

yagan

Edging ever closer to grave edge of his career.…

leath_dub

Mentioned on his show that he will be coming home to his favourite listener (his Mammy) tomorrow

He's not really enjoying this London thing, is he?

Beechwoodspark

re EASONS - one Saturday morning I was in a branch of easons and they were playing the Tubridy podcast ad over the sound system.

An older very respectable looking lady let out a string of industrial strength expletives and loudly told the staff behind counter “God preserve us and save us - will ye turn off that feckin eejit!!!”

They complied with her wishes!

Tork

…and everybody applauded

HildaOgdenx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122283043#Comment_122283043

I'd say he wants nothing more than to be back, having it good, like the old days.
Maybe that's partly why he sounds almost manic in his delivery, in the odd clip I have heard here and there. Heard a tiny bit this morning, calling out names and saying not dead 🤷‍♀️

I'd actually say he thinks everything is going great.

leath_dub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284200#Comment_122284200

I'd say he wakes up every morning wondering "where did it all go wrong?"

Bobson Dugnutt

Can’t imagine a millionaire with a public profile, a happy personal life, a UK wide prime radio slot, and a podcast is wondering where it all went wrong.

You’d imagine some of the people turning on the wireless to hate listen to his show might be thinking that alright.

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284399#Comment_122284399

You know I am always slight reminded of Simon Dee in all of this, though Simon did head to LWT, and possibly has a more interesting story to tell. Actually there is probably little comparison to be made perhaps Tubs will be given more time.

Anyway we should really stop all this criticism and not reply. It's not good for the heart now is it.

nonetheless

Virgin Radio UK is not nationwide in coverage - the SDL covers 83% of the UK - the assistant PD is unable to hear it properly in his car, in his hometown and in the home counties.

The word from sources at Virgin is that they are unhappy with Tubridy and that he is on probation - if he doesn't improve ratings they will address it. But look, that's senior hurling.

nonetheless

….

Tork

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284399#Comment_122284399

I don't think many people here are bothering to turn on the radio to listen to him for long, Bobson. We're enjoying the soap opera and know that this experiment is going to end in tears for your golden boy. As for the rest of it…he's only a millionaire because RTE vastly overpaid him for years. His radio slot is far from the prestigious thing you say it is - and it looks like his audience figures are poor. The podcast isn't setting the world alight. Yeah, he's really doing well for himself.

Hyperbollix

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284958#Comment_122284958

Exactly. The term "millionaire" ascribes certain traits to Tubridy that he doesn't deserve. Aside from lottery winners and those with hereditary wealth, most millionaires are smart, hard working, capable and impressive individuals. Tub's only discernible skill, as far as I can see, was his ability to schmooze the right people in RTE in order to get presenting roles he wasn't really suitable for and in concert with his agent, to get vastly overpaid year after year for the lightest workload he was able to get away with.

There is no doubt in my mind that he despises his current situation and wishes none of this happened. He doesn't want to be in London working for a relative pittance, dealing with staff and listeners who aren't Irish and who don't give a toss about floury spuds, creamy 99 cones, terminal illnesses or his close friendship with dead Irish A-list celebs. He just wants to wake up and find himself in Montrose, skipping out the door at 10am for a meeting with his accountant about new ways he can offset his huge tax liability.

Tork

It's notable that none of his defenders have anything to say about his actual show. The comments are mostly along the lines of "Look how successful this man is, you jealous hate-listeners". We've all heard him on the radio and everybody is making much the same comments. Many of the comments are constructive criticisms. He would be in a far better place now if he had taken them on board. I bet if I was to replay that Gift Grub sketch from January, it'd be as relevant today was it was 6 months ago.

AndyBoBandy

I’d say it’s almost a certainty too that Bryan himself had heard the giftgrup sketch…. And if not Bryan, King Noel would have heard it….

RoTelly

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122284709#Comment_122284709

This is interesting because someone was suggesting that 2FM should become a sport radio station, look at how low down sports are for radio listeners.

HildaOgdenx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122287484#Comment_122287484

He just wants to wake up and find himself in Montrose, skipping out the door at 10am for a meeting with his accountant about new ways he can offset his huge tax liability.

Absolutely this.

The halcyon days of not actually working for a living. Putting in a few hours a day, for an astronomical salary. Everything prepared for him, he just had to wing his way through. Life was very good indeed.

Ain't greed a terrible thing.

Bobson Dugnutt

170k a year for a radio show is decent, but it’s not exactly spectacular either. I make almost that myself, and I don’t have to deal with people recognising me, abusing me online, or having to read about myself in the papers. You get paid for your profile and brand, and not always for your time.

Kingslayer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122288322#Comment_122288322

I bet if you break it down Tubs at his peak was making more per hour than you though. He used to put in a short day. Long hols and time off whenever he wanted too. Handy number.

ErnestBorgnine

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122288322#Comment_122288322

And sometimes you get paid for the results you produce, a position Ryan is in for the first time in his life.

And i have to admit, the way he's gone about absolutely tanking the listening figures for the timeslot with his bizarre Oirish immersion heaters & Superquinn sausages paddywackery strategy on a UK show is incredibly impressive.

It's part of the new brand he's making for himself, alongside the shady underhand dealings/lying self-publicist thing he's got going on.

podgeandrodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122288484#Comment_122288484

His biggest problem is that he could not create a proper new brand for the new surroundings. Still suffocating under his half trick pony previous brand.

Mr Disco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122287764#Comment_122287764

the one from a few months back? Surely it’s time for a new one !

Brian Scan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122287588#Comment_122287588

"Finish your sentences, Ryan."